Abstract: A power plant comprises a steam system, a first electrolyzer, a heat storage system, and a heat exchanger configured to exchange thermal energy between the steam system, the first electrolyzer and the heat storage system. A method of operating an electrolyzer in a combined cycle power plant comprises operating a steam system to convert water to steam, operating an electrolyzer in a standby mode, the electrolyzer configured to convert water and electricity to hydrogen and oxygen when the electrolyzer is in an operating mode, circulating water from the steam system through a heat exchanger, circulating a first heat transfer medium between the electrolyzer and the heat exchanger, and circulating a second heat transfer medium between the heat exchanger and a thermal storage container.

Abstract: A thermal management system for transferring heat between fluids includes a thermal transport bus through which a heat exchange fluid flows. Additionally, the system includes a heat source heat exchanger arranged along the bus such that heat is added to the fluid flowing through the heat source heat exchanger. Moreover, the system includes a plurality of heat sink heat exchangers arranged along the bus such that heat is removed from the fluid flowing through the plurality of heat sink heat exchangers. Furthermore, the system includes a bypass conduit fluidly coupled to the bus such that the bypass conduit allows the fluid to bypass one of the heat source heat exchanger or one of the heat sink heat exchangers. In addition, the system includes a valve configured to control a flow of the fluid through the bypass conduit based on a pressure of the fluid within the bus.

Abstract: Disclosed is an advanced process that relates to the enhanced production of energy using the integration of multiple thermal cycles (Brayton and Rankine) that employ multiple fuels, multiple working fluids, turbines and equipment. The method includes providing a nuclear reactor, reactor working fluid, heat exchangers, compressors, and multiple turbines to drive compressors that pressurize a humidified working fluid that is combusted with fuel fired in at least one gas turbine. The turbine(s) provide for electrical energy, processes or other mechanical loads.

Abstract: A system for producing at least one hydrocarbon fuel from a carbonaceous material, the system including: a nuclear power plant; a hydrocarbon fuel manufacturing plant, including at least an electrolyzer unit for producing a first hydrogen stream from water and electric power provided by the nuclear power plant, and an hydrocarbon fuel synthesis unit, the nuclear power plant supplying power to a power distribution grid to which electric power consumers other than the hydrocarbon manufacturing plant are electrically connected; a buffer storage of at least one given hydrocarbon fuel; a reforming unit for producing a second hydrogen stream from the at least one given hydrocarbon fuel, and a device to feed the at least one given hydrocarbon fuel to the reforming unit at a controlled feed flow rate; a device to feed the hydrocarbon fuel synthesis unit with the first hydrogen stream at a first controlled flow rate and with the second hydrogen stream at a second controlled flow rate; and a device to control the fi

Abstract: The present invention includes a system and method of producing consumable fuels generally including a thermal input device, a gasifier, a heat pump, and a product gas heat recovery device. Optionally, the system and method of the present invention includes a nuclear steam supply device as a thermal input. Optionally, the nuclear steam supply device includes a sodium fast reactor having a core outlet temperature of less than about 650° C.

Abstract: A system for producing at least one hydrocarbon fuel from a carbonaceous material, the system including: a nuclear power plant; a hydrocarbon fuel manufacturing, plant, including at least an electrolyzer unit for producing a first hydrogen stream from water and electric power provided by the nuclear power plant, and an hydrocarbon fuel synthesis unit, the nuclear power plant supplying power to a power distribution grid to which electric power consumers other than the hydrocarbon manufacturing plant are electrically connected; a buffer storage of at least one given hydrocarbon fuel; a reforming unit for producing a second hydrogen stream from the at least one given hydrocarbon fuel, and a device to feed the at least one given hydrocarbon fuel to the reforming unit at a controlled feed flow rate; a device to feed the hydrocarbon fuel synthesis unit with the first hydrogen stream at a first controlled flow rate and with the second hydrogen stream at a second controlled flow rate; and a device to control the fir

Abstract: Provided is a petrochemical complex 100 that produces a fuel and a petrochemical, by applying heat generated in heating means to crude oil by use of a heating medium. In the petrochemical complex 100, the heating means is a light-water reactor 110.

Abstract: A process for the treatment of radioactive graphite which includes the following steps: (i) reacting the radioactive graphite at a temperature in the range of from 250° C. to 900° C. with superheated steam or gases containing water vapor to form hydrogen and carbon monoxide; (ii) reacting the hydrogen and carbon monoxide from step (i) to form water and carbon dioxide; and (iii) reacting the carbon dioxide of step (ii) with metal oxides to for carbonate salts. The process enables radioactive graphite, such as graphite moderator, to be treated either in-situ or externally of a decommissioned nuclear reactor.

Abstract: Provided herein is a process for producing methanol which was developed to reduce the emission of carbon dioxide which is responsible for global warming. The process involves the steps of generating steam by the use of nuclear heat of a high-temperature gas-cooled nuclear reactor, decomposing the steam into hydrogen by means of a steam electrolyzer, and synthesizing methanol from this hydrogen and carbon dioxide obtained from a carbon dioxide source. The process also involves the steps of converting carbon dioxide and hydrogen into carbon monoxide and steam by means of a reverse shift reactor, forming hydrogen and carbon monoxide of almost the same composition as the conventional one, and reacting said hydrogen and carbon monoxide into methanol by means of a methanol synthesis column. The process permits the use of an existing methanol production facility.

Abstract: The exhaust gas of a fusion reactor contains, besides non-burnt fuel (tritium and deuterium) and helium, the "ash" from the nuclear fusion reaction a number of impurities with the radioactive tritium and/or deuterium chemically bound to them. In order to clean the exhaust gas, both the elemental and the chemically bound tritium and/or deuterium fractions are separated from the exhaust gas. Separation is achieved exclusively by physical and catalytical process steps, namely a palladium/silver permeator, a CuO/Cr.sub.2 O.sub.3 /ZnO catalyst bed and a further palladium/silver permeator containing a nickel/aluminum oxide bulk catalyst.

Abstract: Process for decontaminating an exhaust gas from a fusion reactor fuel cycle of exhaust gas components containing at least one heavy hydrogen isotope selected from tritium and deuterium in compound form, the compound form being ammonia and hydrocarbon, the exhaust gas containing CO and hydrogen isotopes and in which the at least one heavy hydrogen isotope is liberated from its compound, separated out from the exhaust gas and fed back into the fuel cycle, comprising(a) carrying out a catalytic oxidation reaction at a temperature of from 200.degree. C. to 250.degree. C., to oxidize the exhaust gas components, without changing the ammonia, as follows: CO to CO.sub.2, hydrocarbon to CO.sub.2 +water, and the hydrogen isotopes to water,(b) bringing the gas admixture resulting from step (a) into contact with a metal bed at a temperature in the range of 200.degree. C. to 400.degree. C. to selectively transform the water into hydrogen isotopes and to remove O.sub.

Abstract: A system for increasing the temperature of a fluid heated by a high temperature gas cooled nuclear reactor to a sufficient temperature to supply the heat of reaction for a high temperature chemical process. The system includes a secondary loop having a working fluid heated to a first temperature by the nuclear reactor, and has a heat pump connected in the secondary loop and adapted to increase and thereby augment the temperature of the working fluid in the secondary loop sufficiently to supply the heat of reaction for a high temperature chemical process such as in a reformer. The system also provides low temperature heat in the form of steam which may be used in a turbine to provide power to the compressor of the heat pump and for auxilliary apparatus.

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: 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, which latter may be converted to hydrogen and directed to the hydrogenation gasifier or may at least in part be used as a product. The steam gasifier is heated with raw gas leaving the hydrogenating gasifier. The hydrogen gas entering the hydrogenation gasifier is heated with the raw gas leaving the steam gasifier. At least part of the methane is reacted with steam to synthesis gas while heat is being supplied.

Abstract: Apparatus for high temperature catalytic conversion of gases is disclosed in which the first part of the heating is done with a heating gas and the final most difficult part is done with electric heaters. The heating gas is passed between spaced layers of catalyst, out of contact and crosswise and countercurrent to the flow of gases to be converted. The gases are first subjected to preheating with heating gas, then heating as the gases contact catalyst, and then superheating, i.e. heating to a final high temperature, with electric heaters in the absence of heating gas.