HTGR Knowledge Base

Conference Article: GTHTR300C For Hydrogen Cogeneration, Kazuhiko KUNITOMI

Abstract

The newly proposed system concept of GTHTR300C for hydrogen cogeneration is aligned with technologies already under development in JAERI. The system is based on a high temperature gas cooled reactor (HTGR) and co-produces electricity by a direct gas turbine cycle and hydrogen by a thermochemical iodine-sulfur (IS) process cycle. JAERI has been actively developing the technologies of the reactor and two production cycles, and extensive experience and database have been accumulated to date. As a result, the early demonstration of the system is expected at minimum cost and risk of development. The GTHTR300C employs a maximum unit power of 600MW for a passively safe HTGR, and selects 950oC reactor outlet coolant temperature. An intermediate heat exchanger (IHX) is located between the reactor pressure vessel (RPV) and the gas turbine system. The heat capacity of IHX is 170MW and is transferred efficiently in 950-850oC temperature range to hydrogen generation. The balance of the reactor thermal power is used for electric generation of gas turbine at a turbine inlet temperature of 850oC. The share of cogeneration of hydrogen to electricity meets the projected demand of both markets during 2020-2030 when the first plants are to be deployed. Through employment of the gas turbine and IS process cycles, the cogeneration efficiencies in the range of 45-50% are expected. The cogeneration also reduces the number of standardized components that would have been necessary to produce electricity and hydrogen in separate systems. This fact is reflected in the design of a unified reactor and the elimination of a separate primary coolant circulation system for process heat generation. The design advantages of system simplification, high performance, reliance on available technologies, and demand-oriented market introduction support competitively economical prospect of the GTHTR300C. This paper describes the original design features focusing on the plant layout and plant cycle of the GTHTR300C. The present development status of the plant technologies including the HTTR with IHX, the GTHTR300 system, and the IS process are presented. The advantages of the GTHTR300C are discussed in greater detail.

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Reference:

Proceedings of the Conference on High Temperature Reactors, Beijing, China, September, 22-24, 2004

International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna (Austria)

HTR-2004, pp:1-11