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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Role of the HTGR in meeting US energy needs

Conference ·
OSTI ID:5237501
The High Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactor (HTGR) is an advanced, high efficiency reactor system which can play a vital role in meeting the future energy needs of the nation by contributing not only to the generation of electric power, but also to the industrial energy sector, traditionally served by fossil fuels. Most energy-intensive industrial processes require considerable process steam and electric power. The cogenerating HTGR steam cycle system, utilizing a core outlet temperature of 750/sup 0/C or less, is well suited to perform this service. The higher-temperature process heat HTGR, with core outlet temperatures ranging from 850/sup 0/C to 950/sup 0/C, can be coupled to a steam-methane reformer and steam generator in series to produce synthesis gas. This reforming HTGR system may be coupled to a thermochemical pipeline to transmit chemical energy via the synthesis gas. The higher-temperature, process heat version of the HTGR is also suitable for additional process and synfuel applications. The high-grade heat can be utilized to produce hydrogen and synthetic fuel, using a variety of carbon sources. It can also serve as the heat source for thermochemical watersplitting processes to produce hydrogen without carbon.
Research Organization:
General Atomic Co., San Diego, CA (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
AT03-76SF70046
OSTI ID:
5237501
Report Number(s):
GA-A-16696; CONF-820814-17; ON: DE82016857
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English