HTGR Knowledge Base

Conference Article: The HTR-10 test reactor project and potential use of HTGR for non-electric application in China

Sun Yuliang; Zhong Daxin; Xu Yuanhui; Wu Zhongxin (Institute of Nuclear Energy Technology, Beijing (China))

Abstract

Coal is the dominant source of energy in China. This use of coal results in two significant problems for China. It is a major burden on the train, road and waterway transportation infrastructures and it is a significant source of environmental pollution. In order to ease the problems caused by the burning of coal and to help reduce the energy supply shortage in China, national policy has directed the development of nuclear power. This includes the erection of nuclear power plants with water cooled reactors and the development of advanced nuclear reactor types, specifically, the high temperature gas cooled reactor (HTGR). The HTGR was chosen for its favorable safety features and its ability to provide high reactor outlet coolant temperatures for efficient power generation and high quality process heat for industrial applications. As the initial modular HTGR development activity within the Chinese High Technology Programme, a 10MW helium cooled test reactor is currently under construction on the site of the Institute of Nuclear Energy Technology northwest of Beijing. This plant features a pebble-bed helium cooled reactor with initial criticality anticipated in 1999. There will be two phases of high temperature heat utilization from the HTR-10. The first phase will utilize a reactor outlet temperature of 700 deg. C with a steam generator providing steam for a steam turbine cycle which works on an electrical/heat co-generation basis. The second phase is planned for a core outlet temperature of 900 deg. C to investigate a steam cycle/gas turbine combined cycle system with the gas turbine and the steam cycle being independently parallel in the secondary side of the plant. This paper provides a review of the technical design, licensing, safety and construction schedule for the HTR-10. It also addresses the potential uses of the HTGR for non-electric applications in China including process steam for the petrochemical industry, heavy oil recovery, coal conversion and seawater desalination.

view the full text of this article (12 pages, format: PDF, size= 1029kB)

key words: Gas Cooled Reactor, Nuclear Technology
Reference:
Advisory group meeting on non-electric applications of nuclear energy. Jakarta (Indonesia). 21-23 Nov 1995
International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna (Austria)
IAEA-TECDOC--923, pp:211-222