Modular helium reactor design, technology, and applications

The Modular Helium Reactor (MHR) combines ceramic coated fuel, helium coolant, graphite moderator, negative temperature coefficient of reactivity, and a unique annular core configuration, with passive decay heat removal capability. This means that it is inherently safe and the fuel can retain fission products without failure even under loss of coolant flow or pressure conditions. The reactor does not require a containment building and the small (600MWt) modular size lends itself to factory fabrication to minimize construction costs. The MHR can operate on several different fuel cycles with no change in plant operating conditions or requirements, including a low enriched uranium or LEU cycle (19.8% U-235), and an LEU/Th cycle. In addition it can also be used to destroy weapons-grade plutonium and the discharged transuranic (TRU) waste from LWRs. ''Self-Cleaning'' fuel cycles which combine LEU fuel with its own reprocessed TRU waste are also feasible. Because of its design and operating conditions, the MHR is a very efficient high temperature heat source with multiple, applications. It can produce electricity at over 47% efficiency using a direct Brayton cycle gas turbine, and it can produce hydrogen at over 50% efficiency using the Sulphur-Iodine process. The high coolant outlet temperature also allows multiple process heat applications including methane or synthetic gasoline production from various feedstocks, methanol from coal, heavy oil recovery from tar sands or oil shale, and both steel and aluminum mill applications. Desalinization is also feasible using a bottoming cycle. The latest MHR designs are discussed in this paper, along with a brief review of the various applications. The fuel cycle options are also discussed, in particular the destruction of TRU waste and the ''Self Cleaning'' fuel cycle