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U.S. Department of Energy
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High-temperature gas reactor (HTGR) market assessment, synthetic fuels analysis

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5908042· OSTI ID:5908042

This study is an update of assessments made in TRW's October 1979 assessment of overall high-temperature gas-cooled reactor (HTGR) markets in the future synfuels industry (1985 to 2020). Three additional synfuels processes were assessed. Revised synfuel production forecasts were used. General environmental impacts were assessed. Additional market barriers, such as labor and materials, were researched. Market share estimates were used to consider the percent of markets applicable to the reference HTGR size plant. Eleven HTGR plants under nominal conditions and two under pessimistic assumptions are estimated for selection by 2020. No new HTGR markets were identified in the three additional synfuels processes studied. This reduction in TRW's earlier estimate is a result of later availability of HTGR's (commercial operation in 2008) and delayed build up in the total synfuels estimated markets. Also, a latest date for HTGR capture of a synfuels market could not be established because total markets continue to grow through 2020. If the nominal HTGR synfuels market is realized, just under one million tons of sulfur dioxide effluents and just over one million tons of nitrous oxide effluents will be avoided by 2020. Major barriers to a large synfuels industry discussed in this study include labor, materials, financing, siting, and licensing. Use of the HTGR intensifies these barriers.

Research Organization:
TRW Energy Systems Planning Div., McLean, VA (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
AC03-78SF02034
OSTI ID:
5908042
Report Number(s):
DOE/SF/02034-T36; ON: DE81029414
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English