High-temperature gas-cooled-reactor steam-methane reformer design

Conference · Tue Jan 20 04:00:00 EST 1981

OSTI ID:5982265

Impellezzeri, J. R.; Drendel, D. B.; Odegaard, T. K.

The concept of the long distance transportation of process heat energy from a High Temperature Gas Cooled Reactor (HTGR) heat source, based on the steam reforming reaction, is currently being evaluated as an energy source/application for use early in the 21st century. The steam-methane reforming reaction is an endothermic reaction at temperatures approximately 700/sup 0/C and higher, which produces hydrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. The heat of the reaction products can then be released, after being pumped to industrial site users, in a methanation process producing superheated steam and methane which is then returned to the reactor plant site. In this application the steam reforming reaction temperatures are produced by the heat energy from the core of the HTGR through forced convection of the primary or secondary helium circuit to the catalytic chemical reactor (steam reformer). This paper summarizes the design of a helium heated steam reformer utilized in conjunction with a 1170 MW(t) intermediate loop, 850/sup 0/C reactor outlet temperature, HTGR process heat plant concept. This paper also discusses various design considerations leading to the mechanical design features, the thermochemical performance, materials selection and the structural design analysis.

• Research Organization: General Electric Co., Sunnyvale, CA (USA). Advanced Reactor Systems Dept.
• DOE Contract Number: AC03-80ET34034
• OSTI ID: 5982265
• Report Number(s): GEFR-SP-232(SP); CONF-811101-2
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CONVECTION
ELEMENTS
ENERGY
ENERGY STORAGE
ENERGY TRANSPORT
FLUIDS
FORCED CONVECTION
GAS COOLED REACTORS
GASES
GRAPHITE MODERATED REACTORS
HEAT
HEAT STORAGE
HELIUM
HTGR TYPE REACTORS
METHANATION
NONMETALS
PROCESS HEAT
PROCESS HEAT REACTORS
RARE GASES
REACTORS
REFORMER PROCESSES
STEAM REFORMER PROCESSES
STORAGE
THERMOCHEMICAL HEAT STORAGE