Development of Coupling Technology for High Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactors and Hydrogen Production Facility

-HTTR Heat Application Test Project Plan-

Abstract

JAEA initiated the HTTR heat application test project coupling a hydrogen production facility to the HTTR (high temperature engineering test reactor), a research reactor of High Temperature Gas-cooled Reactor (HTGR) which can supply high temperature heat of 950°C. The project aims to establish “coupling technologies” between HTGR and hydrogen production achieving large-scale, stable and economically competitive carbon-free hydrogen production using the HTGR heat. Important considerations towards establishment of coupling technologies are development of system technologies for HTGR hydrogen production systems and components required for coupling between two facilities. This paper explains a system concept of the HTTR heat application system which can maintain safe and stable operation of the HTTR against temperature transients induced by abnormal events in a hydrogen production plant with the results of operational scheme as well as heat and mass balance of the system. Development plans for hot gas duct, high temperature isolation valves and helium gas circulators are also presented.