Steam gasification of coal using nuclear porcess heat

The mining research developed the method of steam gasification. The heat produced in the high temperature reactor is thus provided via an intermediate circuit and a heat exchanger, which plunges into a fluidized bed of coal and steam for the gasification reaction. The present state is characterized by the operation of a semi-technical pilot plant (5t per day, 40 bar) in which a gas generator operated with a fluidized bed of 1 m2 basic area and 4m high, connected to an electrically heated helium circuit (1 MW). The industrial maturity of the nuclear steam gasification is expected in the 90's following testing of a prototype plant. (orig.)