TECHNOLOGY

Generation III

HTR-PM reactor

The HTR is High Temperature Reactor. This design is definitely different from those described in previous chapters. It is not neither PWR nor BWR, even Candu. This reactor does not use water in any loop. As a coolant helium is used, whereas graphite is the moderator. Coolant temperature is up to 950ºC. Such reactors are able to produce steam which drives turbine or to drive turbine with coolant gas directly. Also the fuel form is different for this type of reactor. It has to bear with high temperature in the core. Additionally fuel is significantly enriched, up to level 17%.

The first mature HTR design is Chinese HTR-PM reactor. It is under construction in China as commercial project. Power plant at Shidaowan will be operating with two unit of power capacity 105 MWe. They will be using 9 % enriched fuel. Burn-up of 80 GWd/t and 40% efficiency are claimed to be achieved. The HTR-PM is a version with classic cycle, such as steam is driving the turbine. The design is planned for 60 years of operation. Load factor 85%. [36]

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