Very High Efficiency Reactor (VHER) Concepts for Electrical Power Generation and Hydrogen Production
The goal of the Very High Efficiency Reactor study was to develop and analyze concepts for the next generation of nuclear power reactors. The next generation power reactor should be cost effective compared to current power generation plant, passively safe, and proliferation-resistant. High-temperature reactor systems allow higher electrical generating efficiencies and high-temperature process heat applications, such as thermo-chemical hydrogen production. The study focused on three concepts; one using molten salt coolant with a prismatic fuel-element geometry, the other two using high-pressure helium coolant with a prismatic fuel-element geometry and a fuel-pebble element design. Peak operating temperatures, passive-safety, decay heat removal, criticality, burnup, reactivity coefficients, and material issues were analyzed to determine the technical feasibility of each concept.
- Research Organization:
- Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (US); Sandia National Labs., Livermore, CA (US)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), Nuclear Criticality Safety Program (NCSP)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-94AL85000
- OSTI ID:
- 820885
- Report Number(s):
- SAND2003-1755
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
AFTER-HEAT REMOVAL
BURNUP
COOLANTS
CRITICALITY
DESIGN
EFFICIENCY
GEOMETRY
HELIUM
HYDROGEN PRODUCTION
MOLTEN SALTS
NUCLEAR POWER
Nuclear Criticality Safety Program (NCSP)
POWER GENERATION
POWER REACTORS
PROCESS HEAT
REACTIVITY COEFFICIENTS