Conceptual Design of Small-Sized HTGR System for Steam Supply and Electricity Generation (HTR50S)

Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) has started a conceptual design of a small-sized HTGR for steam supply and electricity generation (HTR50S) to deploy the high temperature gas cooled reactor (HTGR) in developing countries at an early date (i.e., in the 2030s). Its reactor power is 50MWt and the reactor outlet temperature is 750°C. It is a first-of-kind of the commercial plant or a demonstration plant of a small-sized HTGR system for steam supply to the industries and the district heating, and electricity generation using a steam turbine. The design philosophy of the HTR50S is to upgrade the performance from the Japanese first HTGR (HTTR) and to reduce the cost for the commercialization by utilizing the knowledge obtained by the HTTR operation and the design of an advanced commercial plant of 600 MWt-class Very High Temperature Reactor (GTHTR300 series). The major specifications of the HTR50S were determined based on its design philosophy. And the targets of the technology demonstration using the HTR50S for the future commercial small-sized HTGR were identified. The system design of HTR50S was performed to offer the capability of electricity generation, cogeneration of electricity and steam for a district heating and industries. The market potential for the small-sized HTGR in the developing countries was evaluated for the application of the electricity, process heat, district heating and pure water production. It was confirmed that there is enough market potential for the small-sized HTGR in the developing countries. This paper described the major specification and system design of the HTR50S and the market potential for the small-sized HTGR in the developing countries.© 2011 ASME