HTGR Knowledge Base

Conference Article: Study on the helium cooling of high-speed generator for HTR-10GT

Abstract

Current High Temperature Gas-cooled Reactor (HTGR) designs are limited to reactor outlet temperatures of about 900 C, largely due to the application of qualified metallic materials for structural components. Very High Temperature Reactor (VHTR) designs aimed at hydrogen production and electricity generation would rely on higher reactor outlet temperatures, nearing 1200 C, to achieve increased cycle efficiencies. This step change in operating conditions will necessitate significant material changes to advance the present PBMR design to that of a VHTR. Key component material changes discussed in this paper highlight areas where conventional, metallic materials need to be substituted by advanced high temperature materials, e.g. Carbon-Fibre Reinforced Carbon (CFRC) materials. Material changes are driven primarily by requirements for high temperature strength to meet the lifetime needs of an advanced PBMR concept design. Advanced materials were identified for the following components: in-reactor control systems, core structures support, reactor pressure vessel, and turbine components. Materials for the PBMR design are compared with candidate materials for a VHTR design in terms of their strength and stability at high temperatures, compatibility with the helium process gas and commercial maturity. Advantages, constraints and likely problems associated with the deployment of these materials in a VHTR are highlighted for each component.

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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:1-14