Helium to helium/intermediate heat exchangers for nuclear process heat system

The goal of the PNP-project (prototype system nuclear process heat) is to achieve the utilization of nuclear reactor heat in coal gasification and thus to conserve fossile energy reserves and stabilise the energy prices. In systems with intermediate heat exchangers and an intermediate helium circuit (secondary loop), high-temperature heat can be coupled into the steam coal gasification system. The raw gas (synthesis gas) can then be utilized to produce methanol or hydrogen or it can be fed into district energy systems. In studies on the feasibility of large-size plants, taking into account individual components and their arrangement, a loop performance of 500 kW proved to be most suitable. With parallel arrangement of two heat exchangers, this will allow a thermal transfer efficiency of 250 MW/WT. The planned prototype plant is to be equipped with two heat exchangers of 125 MW each. Within the framework of the components testing programme, heat exchangers of 10 MW output are to be tested under representative boundary conditions. (orig./GL)