Abstract: A heat exchanger apparatus is disclosed comprising a heat exchanger casing having a plurality of box members suspended within the casing, with each box member having a plurality of tubular members disposed within an arrangement which permits the exchange of heat from a hot gas stream flowing outside the tubular members to a cooler gas stream flowing counter-currently within the tubular members. The heat exchanger apparatus is adapted especially for the use in high temperature nuclear reactors and is disposed within a pod in the reactor pressure vessel communicating directly with the reactor core. The suspension of the primary heat exchange components enables the achievement of excellent exchange capability with minimum stress on the exchanger apparatus as a result of thermal expansion. A method of exchanging heat from a primary cooling circuit of a high temperature reactor to an intermediate gas circuit of a heat process plant is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a plant for the production of hydrogen, preferably for the hydrogenating gasification of coal, through utilization of heat energy derived from a gas-cooled, high-temperature nuclear reactor, comprising:A. a thick-walled pressure vessel;B. a high temperature reactor contained in a centrally oriented cavity within the vessel;C. a plurality of process gas cracking reactors contained within the wall of the vessel;D. a number of steam generators corresponding to the number of the gas cracking reactors, the generators being contained in the wall of the vessel;E. a number of recuperative heat exchangers corresponding to the number of gas cracking reactors, each of the heat exchangers being contained in the wall of the vessel and being positioned closely adjacent one of the gas cracking reactors; andF. a coaxial conduit connecting said adjacent heat exchanger and gas cracking reactor pairs.