HTR is bridge to breeder reactor
Gulf General Atomic's prototype high temperature reactor at Fort St. Vrain is undergoing pre-operational tests. High-temperature gas-cooled reactors using helium as the primary coolant will offer significant advantages as a primary source of electricity, useful in meeting applications in coal gasification, the recovery of bitumen from tar sands, and steel production. An explanation is given of the symbiosis between the GCFR and the HTGR. Several HTRs should be fuelled by the /sup 233/U produced in the thorium blanket of a GCFR. The breeder is considered as a fuel factory, which, unlike the diffusion plant alternative, is capable of producing electricity as a by-product instead of consuming it. The breeder is uneconomic as a fuel producer alone but the value of the accompanying process heat or of electric power generated, makes a considerable contribution to the economics of the operation. (MCW)
- Research Organization:
- Originating Research Org. not identified
- NSA Number:
- NSA-29-006915
- OSTI ID:
- 4374661
- Journal Information:
- Energy Int., v. 10, no. 10, pp. 19-20, Other Information: Orig. Receipt Date: 30-JUN-74
- Country of Publication:
- Country unknown/Code not available
- Language:
- English
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