1170-MW(t) HTGR-SC/C application study report: modified Paraho retorting of oil shale. [Steam cycle/cogeneration]

Technical Report · Fri Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1982

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6635529· OSTI ID:6635529

Rao, R.

This report describes the application of a high-temperature gas-cooled reactor (HTGR) that operates in a steam cycle/cogeneration (SC/C) mode to supply process heat and electricity for the recovery of oil from shale using a modified Paraho process. The technical and preliminary economic merits of an 1170-MW(t) HTGR-SC/C plant are assessed along with those of very high temperature (850/sup 0/C (1562/sup 0/F)) process heat reactor and the standard fossil fuel-fired heat source for this application. The energy requirements for the modified Paraho process were developed utilizing design parameters from the Davy McKee study which considered the HTGR-PH and conventional Paraho process (indirect gas retorting) using fossil fuel. A heat balance/steam cycle diagram shows the integration of an 1170-MW(t) HTGR-SC/C plant with the process and the cogeneration of 275 MW(e) electric power. A preliminary cost estimate shows a price of $43.29 (1980 $, 30-y levelized) per barrel of upgraded shale oil for a 1995 plant startup of an 1170-MW(t) HTGR-SC/C plant and $41.90 (1980 $, 30-y levelized) per barrel with an 1170-MW(t) HTGR-PH plant. The reference fossil-fueled process shows a cost of $50.03 (1980 $, 30-y levelized) per barrel using a consistent set of economic ground rules with fuel valued at market price. The HTGR-SC/C plant appears technically and almost economically favorable. Environmental and pollution impacts are also assessed. 7 figures, 9 tables.

• Research Organization: General Atomic Co., San Diego, CA (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AT03-76SF70046
• OSTI ID: 6635529
• Report Number(s): GA-A-16811; ON: DE83005302
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

04 OIL SHALES AND TAR SANDS
040402 -- Oil Shales & Tar Sands-- Surface Methods
21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
210300 -- Power Reactors
Nonbreeding
Graphite Moderated
210900* -- Nuclear Power Plants-- Process Heat Reactors-- (-1987)
BITUMINOUS MATERIALS
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COGENERATION
COST
DECOMPOSITION
DEUS
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
ECONOMICS
ELECTRIC POWER
ENERGY
ENERGY SOURCES
ENERGY SYSTEMS
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
GAS COOLED REACTORS
GRAPHITE MODERATED REACTORS
HEAT
HTGR TYPE REACTORS
MATERIALS
MINERAL OILS
OIL SHALES
OILS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OTHER ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PARAHO PROCESS
POWER
POWER GENERATION
PROCESS HEAT
REACTORS
RETORTING
SHALE OIL
STEAM GENERATION