Gas-Cooled Thermal Reactor Program. Annual technical progress report for the period ending September 30, 1981

The task on High Temperature Process Heat Applications (WBS 44) includes assessments of the various process heat applications of the HTGR and the design and evaluation of systems and components outside the nuclear heat source. The application assessment established criteria for evaluating various synfuel processes, and investigated processes in coal gasification, oil shale processing, coal liquefaction, and water splitting to identify areas where HTGR-produced heat could be substituted for the presently used fossil heat. Conceptual designs were developed for the process gas systems in the 9500C direct cycle and the 8500C indirect cycle plants and for methanation systems coupled to various synfuel processing applications. The components evaluated under this task were methanator, the indirect cycle steam reformer, and the heat exchangers in the process gas train. Methods of controlling the process gas system were also investigated. A technology development plan for reformer plants and components was prepared