Analyses of pebble-bed reactors for the generation of heat for heating purposes

Marginal conditions are described for the use of a nuclear power reactor for long-distance heat supply in densely populated areas. For the design of the high-temperature heat generating reactor, plant components and possible arrangements are analyzed with consideration to safety and costs. System sizes are reasonably chosen on the basis of analyzed parameters, the paramount design goal being to adequately retain the fission products in the coated particles of the fuel elements, in anticipation of probable accidents. With the help of the data record obtained, a system is designed with a cuboid-shaped core as its characteristic feature; the advantage of the core consists in the fact that it quickly discharges the after-heat outwards even in case of a hypothetical accident. Due to the core shape, it is possible to install heat-exchanging components near the core, and to place the safety rods where they can be very effective in reflector borings. (orig./HP)