Assessment of very high-temperature reactors in process applications. Appendix II. VHTR process heat application studies
A critical review is presented of the technology and economics for coupling a very high-temperature gas-cooled reactor to a variety of process applications. It is concluded that nuclear steam reforming of light hydrocarbons for coal conversion could be a near-term alternative and that direct nuclear coal gasification could be a future consideration. Thermochemical water splitting appears to be more costly and its availability farther in the future than the coal-conversion systems. Nuclear steelmaking is competitive with the direct reduction of iron ore from conventional coal-conversion processes but not competitive with the reforming of natural gas at present gas prices. Nuclear process heat for petroleum refining, even with the necessary backup systems, is competitive with fossil energy sources. The processing with nuclear heat of oil shale and tar sands is of marginal economic importance. An analysis of peaking power applications using nuclear heat was also made. It is concluded that steam reforming methane for energy storage and production of peaking power is not a viable economic alternative, but that energy storage with a high-temperature heat transfer salt (HTS) is competitive with conventional peaking systems. An examination of the materials required in process heat exchangers is made.
- Research Organization:
- Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-26
- OSTI ID:
- 7255487
- Report Number(s):
- ORNL/TM-5410
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
210900* -- Nuclear Power Plants-- Process Heat Reactors-- (-1987)
ALLOYS
COAL GASIFICATION
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ECONOMICS
EFFICIENCY
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HYDROGEN PRODUCTION
IRON ALLOYS
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210900* -- Nuclear Power Plants-- Process Heat Reactors-- (-1987)
ALLOYS
COAL GASIFICATION
COAL LIQUEFACTION
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
DISTILLATION
ECONOMICS
EFFICIENCY
GASIFICATION
HYDROGEN PRODUCTION
IRON ALLOYS
IRON BASE ALLOYS
LIQUEFACTION
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
PROCESS HEAT REACTORS
PRODUCTION
REACTORS
SEPARATION PROCESSES
STEELS
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
USES