Abstract: Gas-cooled high-temperature nuclear reactor having a reactor core comprising individual fuel elements provided with means for forming a barrier against the release of fission products producible therein during reactor operation, the fuel elements being received in a cylindrical barrel formed of an inner graphite layer functioning as a reflector, an outer layer of insulating material surrounding the inner layer, and a metallic receptacle, the inner and outer layers and the receptacle being formed of respective side, bottom and cover portions, the side and cover portions of the inner layer being formed with first channels into which means for controlling the reactors are insertable, the bottom, side and cover portions of the inner layer being further formed with second channels wherein, during reactor operation, cooling gas is circulated under pressure from the bottom to the top of the receptacle, the bottom portion of the inner layer having first openings for introducing cooling gas into the second channels du

Abstract: Device for shutting down a high-temperature nuclear reactor having a reactor core, including a reflector disposed outside the reactor core, channels being disposed in the reflector and having lower ends, storage bins being disposed above the reactor core and being in communication with the channels above the lower ends thereof, a neutron-absorbing material formed of fluidic bodies being storable in the storage bins and feedable into the channels, a plurality of lines connected between the lower ends of the channels and the storage bins, means for selectively establishing an upwardly directed fluid flow of the material in one of the plurality of lines for conveying the neutron-absorbing material at a given adequate speed from one of the channels into one of the storage bins.

Abstract: Pebble-bed nuclear reactor capable of being shut down by a fluidized mass of bodies containing neutron-absorbing material, the fluidized mass of bodies being received in a storage container disposed above the pebble bed during normal operation of the reactor, the storage container being formed with a closable discharge opening, including a piston rigidly connected to the storage container and disposed below the discharge opening thereof, the piston being guided in a cylinder stationary relative to the reactor and being open at the top thereof, the storage container being displaceable in vertical direction between upper and lower end positions thereof, the piston, in the upper end position of the storage container, closing off the cylinder at the upper edge located at the open top of the cylinder and, in the lower end position of the storage container, the fluidized mass of bodies discharged from the discharge opening of the storage container being formed on top of the piston into a discharge cone having a hei

Abstract: Cracking tubes are closed at one end and externally heated contain catalyst bodies for the catalytic cracking of process gases and also contain a central inner tube for introduction or return of the gases. Molded catalyst bodies of two different shapes are arranged in the space between the two tubes such that the two shaped bodies alternate. The molded bodies of one shape are centered at the inner tube and leave an annular space between themselves and the outer tube. The molded bodies of the other shape are constructed so as to start at the outer tube and leave an annular space between themselves and the inner tube. Thus, the process gases passing between the two tubes in contact with the catalyst bodies flows in meander fashion from the outer to the inner tube and then to the outer tube. One or both of the two molded bodies have several radial ribs for axial spacing.

Abstract: Method for generating methane or synthesis gas from carbon-containing materials, e.g. coal, by reacting part of the carbon with hydrogen in a hydrogenating gasifier to produce a methane containing gas, and reacting the residual carbon with steam in a steam gasifier to produce a raw gas containing synthesis gas. Features are:(a) The steam gasifier is heated with the raw gas leaving the hydrogenating gasifier.(b) The hydrogen gas entering the hydrogenating gasifier is heated with the raw gas leaving the steam gasifier.(c) The output stage of the steam gasifier is heated electrically.(d) The entire nuclear heat is given off to a steam loop.In addition a methane cracking furnace may be provided with the following features:(a) The methane cracking furnace is heated electrically in the upper temperature range.(b) The raw gas leaving the methane cracking furnace serves for heating the entering methane.

Abstract: A U-tube heat exchanger for the heat transfer from a primary gas circuit to a secondary gas circuit in a high temperature reactor. At the high temperatures of approximately 950.degree. C., the additionally permissible stresses on the used materials are low. The cold gas collector is therefore flexibly attached at the housing. The arrangement permits complete and also remote-controlled testing from the secondary gas-side of all parts of the primary gas circuit which are stressed by pressure. The flexible elements are neither stressed by the weight of the heat exchanger nor endangered by high temperatures.

Abstract: Mixing and distributing device for gases having high temperature includes a multiplicity of polygonal blocks stacked in a plurality of layers above and laterally adjacent one another, the blocks being formed with channels having respective axes disposed at an angle to one another and to a main gas in-flow direction, the channels of the respective blocks being connected with adjacent channels of the same or an adjacent block, the multiplicity of polygonal blocks defining a space wherein high temperature is producible.