Raphael: materials and components highlights from the HTR FP5 and FP6 programmes

Good progress has been made on the Very High Temperature Reactor (VHTR) material and components investigations performed within the European Commission fifth and sixth Framework programmes. These programmes focus on the identification and investigation of key technological issues for this modular type of reactor, which offers significant advantages for the long-term development of sustainable energy and heat applications including hydrogen generation. For the fifth Framework programme two materials projects HTR-M and M1 and a component project (HTR-E) were undertaken to address requirements for the reactor pressure boundary, high temperature components (including turbine and recuperator), tribology issues and operational issues and the graphite core. For the sixth Framework programme the RAPHAEL-IP is underway addressing the remaining key issues plus extending the development and qualification to include heat exchangers, the gas circulator and design codes. The main highlights of the results from the key investigations and tests performed within these programmes are summarized. (authors)