Gas reactor international cooperative program: HTR market assessments

Technical Report · Sat Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1979

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5284034· OSTI ID:5284034

Leeth, G G; Berkowitz, B J

The HTR Multiplex utilizes the HTR as an energy source to produce multiple forms of energy. The multiplex technolog is applicable to the following markets: dispersed industrial heat; peaking and mid-range electricity; ammonia and methanol production with methane feedstock; and production of gaseous and liquid fuels from coal. It is estimated that the first two markets will comprise from 300 GW(+) to 400 GW(+) in the 2000 to 2020 time period (about 8 quads per year). For the dispersed industrial heat, the HTR multiplex has a heat cost about half that of fluidized bed combustors (FBC) operating at a capacity factor of 0.3 and about equal to that of FBC's operating at a capacity factor of 0.9. For the peaking and mid-range electric market, the HTR multiplex can supply electric energy at costs three-fourths that of FBC's operating at a capacity of 0.1 and equal to that of FBC's operating at a capacity factor of 0.3. For the ammonia and methanol markets, the HTR multiplex costs are about equal to coal and somewhat higher than methane with current fuel prices. Application to coal refining is similar to the ammonia and methanol markets. Current economic analyses show approximate equivalence for coal and nuclear heat.

• Research Organization: General Electric Co., Santa Barbara, CA (USA). Center for Advanced Studies
• DOE Contract Number: EN-77-C-02-4057
• OSTI ID: 5284034
• Report Number(s): COO-4057-11
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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