Design of a 3000 MW(th) high temperature reactor for process heat applications

In this article the nuclear part of a possible process heat plant for the steam reforming of methane to produce hydrogen is described in principle. It is shown that there is a fair degree of freedom in nuclear reactor design, because of the many free parameters that exist, such as the vessel concept, the type of hot-gas ducting, reactor parameters and the fuel cycle. Initially, a flow scheme and the mass and energy balances are given. Thereafter, as one of the possible designs, a representation of the pod-boiler system is given, and particularly the heat exchangers as well as the core design are explained. Special components of the pebble bed reactor as well as the charging installations are also elaborately described. The loop design can be considered as an alternative concept to the prestressed concrete vessel in the pod-boiler concept. The conditions and special questions of this design are discussed. (Auth.)