The chemical heat pipe: EVA and ADAM

A closed circuit chemical heat pipe system is described which has been tested on a pilot scale with success. Full-scale use will involve a high-temperature gas-cooled nuclear reactor as heat source and this could become available at the end of the century. The system's principle is to convert methane and steam into carbon oxides and hydrogen, pump these through pipes over long distances, and reverse the conversion where energy is required. (author)