Fuel cycles for HTR

After having built graphite reactor with natural uranium, the development of nuclear energy in France is based on the Pressurized Water Reactor using the low enriched fuel cycle. It is planned in 1985 35 GWe will be installed. In addition, the technology of reprocessing of P.W.R. fuel is now fully developped and La Hague plant will begin very soon its commercial operation. In other hand, the development of fast breeder reactor using the plutonium produced by the P.W.R. is under way. The commercial operation of 1200 MWe Super-Phenix is planned for 1983. In year 2000, it is projected a P.W.R. installed capacity in the range 71-86 GWe and a F.B.R. capacity between 15-20 GWe. The development of H.T.R. technology has started in France in 1968 in cooperation with the Dragon Project, and since 1972 in cooperation with General Atomic Company. The interest of France in the H.T.R. field is now focused on the application of process heat for industrial processes, in particular in the nuclear coal gasification, the electricity production being based on P.W.R. and F.B.R. The intend of this paper is to present the fuel cycle options chosen in France for H.T.R