High Temperature Gas-cooled Reactor

High Temperature gas-cooled reactors produce thermal energy of approx. 1000°C using ceramic(such as silicon carbide) coated fuels and chemically inert helium gas coolant. The Japan Atomic Energy Agency(JAEA)(former Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute) began research and development of high temperature gas-cooled reactors for the multi-purpose use of nuclear/thermal energy in 1969. The latest product of these long-running efforts is the recently completed High Temperature Engineering Test Reactor(HTTR).
MHI headed the design and construction group. The company has developed hardware technologies to manufacture high-temperature structure, heat exchangers and software technologies to verify the performance and integrity of the reactor core and other high temperature structures.
MHI is now developing hydrogen production technology for the multi-purpose use of the high temperature gas-cooled reactor, and the helium gas turbine direct power generation system for high efficiency power generation. These technologies will be the key to the future commercialization of high temperature gas-cooled reactors.
MHI is also developing a gas-turbine system for the high-temperature gas power reactor PBMR project of PBMR Co. of the Republic of South Africa.
Furthermore, MHI has received an order for the basic design and material procurement of the core internals, which are the main components of a demonstration reactor that the ESCOM, a state-owned utility company of South Africa, plans to install in the country.