Helium reactor technology

Broad global foundation of helium reactor technology. 

Pebble-Bed Modular Reactor (PBMR) A nuclear reactor technology that utilizes tiny silicon carbide-coated uranium oxide granules sealed in pebbles about the size of oranges, made of graphite. Helium is used as the coolant and energy transfer medium. This containment of the radioactive material in small quantities has the potential to achieve an unprecedented level of safety. This technology may become popular in the development of new nuclear power plants. 

G-3 Estimated costs for conversion of natural gas to hydrogen in plants of three sizes, current and possible future cases, with and without sequestration of C02, 202 G-4 Estimated effects of the price of natural gas on the cost of hydrogen at plants of three sizes using steam methane reforming, 204 G-5 Power cycle net efficiency (qel) and thermal-to-hydrogen efficiency (qH) for the gas turbine modular helium reactor (He) high-temperature electrolysis of steam (HIES) and the supercritical C02 (S-C02) advanced gas-cooled reactor HTES technologies, 212... 

G-6 The energy needs for hydrogen production by the gas turbine modular helium reactor (He cycle) high-temperature electrolysis of steam (HIES) and the supercritical C02 (S-C02 cycle) advanced gas-cooled reactor HIES technologies, 213... 

Research and development of direct cycle helium turbine technologies including coupling a helium turbine system to the current HTR-10 reactor configuration. 

Obviously, an advantage would be offered by atomic energy-technology stations (AETS) or atomic installations for remote heat tranter (AIRHT, powered in both cases by Mgh temperature helium reactors (HTHR). Atomic installations of above types could be used both for heat supply, at a distance, to the Eelds that produce oil by steam treatment methods, and for simultaneous electricity generation (Fig. 104). 

Unfortunately, the HHT project was terminated in Germany and both test facilities have been shut down. Except for information on life testing the facilities accomplished their missions. If helium turbomachinery technology is reconsidered for power conversion from a helium cooled nuclear reactor, no unresolvable problems have been identified in these turbomachinery test facilities. 

The Gas Turbine - Modular Helium Reactor (GT-MHR) is a power unit for the production of electricity or the co-generation of electricity and process heat. The GT-MHR power unit couples the passively safe Modular Helium Reactor (MHR) with a highly efficient energy conversion system. The energy conversion system is based on an intercooled and recuperated closed Brayton (gas turbine) cycle that has a projected efficiency of approximately 48%. The GT-MHR produces electricity directly with the reactor primary helium coolant driving a gas turbine generator derived from technologies developed in the gas turbine and aerospace industries. 

Different combinations of stable xenon isotopes have been sealed into each of the fuel elements in fission reactors as tags so that should one of the elements later develop a leak, it could be identified by analyzing the xenon isotope pattern in the reactor s cover gas (4). Historically, the sensitive helium mass spectrometer devices for leak detection were developed as a cmcial part of building the gas-diffusion plant for uranium isotope separation at Oak Ridge, Tennessee (129), and heHum leak detection equipment is stiU an essential tool ia auclear technology (see Diffusion separation methods). 

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