Research Article

Thermo‑economic analysis of a pressurized‑water‑reactor cogeneration plant for electricity and water production

Volume: 2 Number: 1 June 23, 2026
TR EN

Thermo‑economic analysis of a pressurized‑water‑reactor cogeneration plant for electricity and water production

Abstract

The high demand for stable electricity and freshwater has increased interest in nuclear cogeneration systems that can provide multiple outputs with high efficiency and minimal environmental impact. This study examines a cogeneration system utilizing a pressurized-water reactor (PWR) that concurrently produces electricity and freshwater through multi-effect distillation (MED). Electricity is produced by a regenerative Rankine cycle utilizing high-, intermediate-, and low-pressure turbines, and the MED unit is powered by low-pressure extraction steam. A detailed thermodynamic model, created in Engineering Equation Solver (EES), assesses mass, energy, and exergy balances across the integrated system, encompassing feedwater heating, moisture-separator-reheater, and MED coupling. The basic configuration produces a net electrical output of 1188 MWₑ and generates freshwater at a rate of 200 kg·s⁻¹ (about 6.3 million m³ annually), with a thermal efficiency of 34.7% and a net levelized cost of electricity (LCOEₙₑₜ) of 29.1 USD·MWh⁻¹. Parametric optimization of isentropic and pump efficiencies, feedwater heater terminal temperature differential, MED gain output ratio, and cooling water temperature rise showed an ideal design that reduces LCOEₙₑₜ to 28.7 USD·MWh⁻¹ while boosting net power to 1245 MWₑ. The findings indicate that low-grade thermal energy can be utilized for desalination with no impact on electrical output, hence enhancing the plant's total energy efficiency. The proposed PWR-MED cogeneration system offers a technically feasible, economically viable, and thermodynamically consistent approach for tackling the energy-water nexus in water-scarce areas with existing or projected nuclear infrastructure.

Keywords

References

  1. [1] International Atomic Energy Agency, Non‑electric applications of nuclear energy: Seawater desalination, hydrogen production and other industrial applications, IAEA‑TECDOC‑1964. Vienna, Austria: IAEA, 2021.
  2. [2] OECD Nuclear Energy Agency and International Atomic Energy Agency, Projected costs of generating electricity. Paris, France: OECD Publishing, 2020.
  3. [3] Massachusetts Institute of Technology, The future of nuclear energy in a carbon‑constrained world. Cambridge, MA, USA: MIT Energy Initiative, 2018.
  4. [4] I. Khamis and K. C. Kavvadias, “Nuclear desalination: A sustainable route to water security,” Desalination, vol. 496, p. 114727, 2020.
  5. [5] A. Al‑Karaghouli and L. L. Kazmerski, “Energy consumption and water production cost of conventional and renewable‑energy‑powered desalination processes,” Renew. Sustain. Energy Rev., vol. 24, pp. 343–356, 2013, doi: 10.1016/j.rser.2012.12.064.
  6. [6] A. M. El‑Nashar, “Nuclear desalination: History and prospects,” Desalination, vol. 135, no. 1–3, pp. 169–185, 2001.
  7. [7] M. A. Darwish, N. M. Al‑Najem, and N. Lior, “Towards sustainable seawater desalination in the Gulf area,” Desalination, vol. 235, no. 1–3, pp. 58–87, 2009, doi: 10.1016/j.desal.2008.07.005.
  8. [8] A. S. Nafey, M. A. Sharaf, and L. García‑Rodríguez, “Thermo‑economic investigation of multi‑effect evaporation (MEE) and hybrid multi‑effect evaporation‑multi‑stage flash (MEE‑MSF) systems,” Desalination, vol. 201, no. 1–3, pp. 241–254, 2006, doi: 10.1016/j.desal.2005.09.044.

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Energy Systems Engineering (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

June 23, 2026

Submission Date

January 24, 2026

Acceptance Date

June 5, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 2 Number: 1

APA
Gadanya, T. S., & Kavlağan, M. A. (2026). Thermo‑economic analysis of a pressurized‑water‑reactor cogeneration plant for electricity and water production. International Journal of Energy Horizon (IJEH), 2(1), 37-42. https://izlik.org/JA65RT85MP
AMA
1.Gadanya TS, Kavlağan MA. Thermo‑economic analysis of a pressurized‑water‑reactor cogeneration plant for electricity and water production. IJEH. 2026;2(1):37-42. https://izlik.org/JA65RT85MP
Chicago
Gadanya, Tukur Sani, and Muhammet Ali Kavlağan. 2026. “Thermo‑economic Analysis of a Pressurized‑water‑reactor Cogeneration Plant for Electricity and Water Production”. International Journal of Energy Horizon (IJEH) 2 (1): 37-42. https://izlik.org/JA65RT85MP.
EndNote
Gadanya TS, Kavlağan MA (June 1, 2026) Thermo‑economic analysis of a pressurized‑water‑reactor cogeneration plant for electricity and water production. International Journal of Energy Horizon (IJEH) 2 1 37–42.
IEEE
[1]T. S. Gadanya and M. A. Kavlağan, “Thermo‑economic analysis of a pressurized‑water‑reactor cogeneration plant for electricity and water production”, IJEH, vol. 2, no. 1, pp. 37–42, June 2026, [Online]. Available: https://izlik.org/JA65RT85MP
ISNAD
Gadanya, Tukur Sani - Kavlağan, Muhammet Ali. “Thermo‑economic Analysis of a Pressurized‑water‑reactor Cogeneration Plant for Electricity and Water Production”. International Journal of Energy Horizon (IJEH) 2/1 (June 1, 2026): 37-42. https://izlik.org/JA65RT85MP.
JAMA
1.Gadanya TS, Kavlağan MA. Thermo‑economic analysis of a pressurized‑water‑reactor cogeneration plant for electricity and water production. IJEH. 2026;2:37–42.
MLA
Gadanya, Tukur Sani, and Muhammet Ali Kavlağan. “Thermo‑economic Analysis of a Pressurized‑water‑reactor Cogeneration Plant for Electricity and Water Production”. International Journal of Energy Horizon (IJEH), vol. 2, no. 1, June 2026, pp. 37-42, https://izlik.org/JA65RT85MP.
Vancouver
1.Tukur Sani Gadanya, Muhammet Ali Kavlağan. Thermo‑economic analysis of a pressurized‑water‑reactor cogeneration plant for electricity and water production. IJEH [Internet]. 2026 Jun. 1;2(1):37-42. Available from: https://izlik.org/JA65RT85MP

© 2025 Energy Horizon. All rights reserved.

‪International Journal of Energy Horizon‬ - ‪Google Akademik‬
Powered by a commitment to advancing sustainable energy solutions.
ISSN: 3108-3722 | Contact:  ijeh@aybu.edu.tr