The effect of MSF operating conditions in a dual purpose plant on the system flexibility

Methods used to combine MSF (Multistage Flash Evaporator) to a nuclear power plant are studied and evaluated. While the back pressure turbine scheme is better for base load, the ''steam extraction in condensing turbine'' scheme is more flexible with partial load. Simple thermodynamic relations are used to study the effect of changing the water demand and the top brine temperature (TBT) on the specific energy consumption per ton of product water. The energy cost of product water in a typical dual purpose plant design is calculated for each scheme using recirculation type MSF. In the calculations, it is assumed that the energy consumed in the MSF is compensated by additional steam supplied to the turbine from the Nuclear Steam Supply Steam (NSSS). The cost of energy consumed by recirculation pumps and air ejectors is taken into consideration. (author). 18 refs, 6 figs