On the problem of efficient production of hydrogen reducing gases for metallurgy utilizing nuclear energy

One of the promising ways to reduce the energy consumption of metal production is the use of direct reduction technologies. The use of high capacity heat from high temperature gas-cooled nuclear reactors (HTGR) for the production of reducing gases from methane feedstock is a rational solution to the problems of fossil resources saving, reducing of power intensity of synthesis process and drastic lowering of foul gases release.The application of radial flow scheme in the nuclear reactor core and in the methane converter allows to create the installations with minimal dimensions and lower hydraulic losses in comparison with currently existing units. It was conducted the investigation of gas flow and heat exchange with the elements of pebble bed in the case of radial flow, which allowed to receive the design equations for such an apparatus. The results of calculation of main thermohydraulic features of a prospective methane converter with radial flow of gaseous reaction mixture using these equations are given.