NGNP Fuel Qualification White Paper

The Japanese high temperature gas reactor program is centered on the High Temperature Engineering Test Reactor (HTTR), which has a thermal power of 30 MW and 950°C maximum coolant outlet temperature. The HTTR achieved criticality in November 1998 and has undergone a series of rise-to-power tests [Fujikawa 2004]. In December 2001, an outlet temperature of 850°C was achieved and in April 2004 a temperature of 950°C was achieved. As of July 2004, the reactor had operated for 224 effective full power days (EFPD). The planned core life cycle is 660 EFPD [Verfondern 2000]. It is planned to couple a high temperature process heat application to the HTTR through its intermediate heat exchanger in the future.