Use of Nuclear Process Heat for Methane and Hydrogen Production via in-situ Coal Gasification

Abstract

Coal gasification plants and processes have been in existence for many years, using fossil fuel as the source of energy input. However, there appear to he no significant installations carrying out in-situ coal gasification and using high- temperature, high pressure, process heat (e.g., as steam) from a high-temperature nuclear reactor.

In the present paper, historical and theoretical aspects of gasification are outlined and a concept is put forward for a full-scale commercial in-situ coal gasification plant using process steam for a high-temperature gas-cooled nuclear reactor, and producting two streams, one being methane for transport use and industrial feedstock, and the other being hydrogen for a future hydrogen economy. The possibility of a CANDU reactor meeting the thermal requirements is discussed.