German-Soviet cooperation on HTRs

As a result of the TMI and Chernobyl reactor accidents, interest has concentrated on safety concepts for which core meltdown is ruled out. These characteristics apply to the high temperature reactor in its advanced integrated design (HTR-500) and modular design. A general agreement was signed between the Soviet State Committee for the Use of Nuclear Energy in Moscow and Asea Brown Boveri AG (ABB), Mannheim, and the KWU Division of Siemens AG featuring industrial cooperation in design and construction of small high temperature reactors (HTR) and also covers the design and construction of a large HTR. The report explains the development of the HTR in FRG and the USSR. The USSR is currently developing two concept lines: a large HTR (WG-400) corresponding to the German HTR-500 concept and a modular HTR to serve as a test reactor for the main components of the WG-400. The technical and safety concepts and design of the HTR module and WGM Pilot Industrial Reactor Plant are explained. Following many contacts between the two countries, a new phase of German cooperation with the USSR on HTRs has now been initiated. 4 figs