Mobile Energy Depot Feasibility Study - Summary Report

[Asteroza]

https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67 ... 307142.pdf

This is an older US Army declassified report, covering a portable synthetic fuel production facility using a nuclear reactor, and the trade space therein. Fairly old material, but the fundamental physics doesn't change.

Bit of an emphasis on using ANP liquid metal coolant reactor derivatives using an open air brayton turbine for the power cycle. Surprising preference for hydrogen production, but that is largely fed by fuel cell powered electric vehicle transportation concepts dovetailing into a holistic military energy logistics trail.

There's also stuff about synthetic ammonia and a sodium mercury based fuel cycle for the synfuel production.

For an integrated facility though, being able to use some of the thermal power to augment synfuel production would be interesting, and I wonder if there are any neat tricks using the power turbine as part of an air separation unit could be done.


Hat tip to the UpShip blog for the link.