Extracting energy from nuclear reactor - using reflectors concentrating heat radiated by enclosed reactor cooling circuit on to e.g. fluid chemical reaction vessel

摘要

The reactor cooling circuit is enclosed in a container, of which at least part of the surface is the radiating surface. A conduit contg. the fluid to be heated is pref. located in the zone in which the reflectors concentrate the radiated heat. The fluid is pref. participating in an endothermic chemical reaction, e.g prepn. of CO, H2 and/or CH3OH from CO2 and/or water vapour. Pref. the radiating surface surrounds and at least partially encloses the reactor with its cooling circuit, which can be within a wall of the container. The radiating surface can be planar and facing a curved or parabolic reflector in front of which is the reaction vessel or other heat collector. Alternatively, the radiating surface can itself be curved or facetted to assist in concentrating the heat. A greater proportion of the heat energy generated in the reactor core can be converted into useful energy. The temp. limitations of the steam-raising system are avoided and higher temps. can be achieved at the point of concn. leading to the increase in efficiency. Other chemical reactions are suitable, e.g. petrol synthesis. The reactor can be a thermal reactor other than a nuclear reactor.