HTR-TN and the European programme for the development of HTR technology - mt2

Important breakthroughs in the design of High Temperature Reactors (HTRs) induce a renewal of interest for these reactors. In Europe about 20 industrial and research organisations created the HTR Technology Network (HTR-TN), to pool their effort of development of the technologies needed for a first industrial deployment of modular direct cycle HTRs in the next decade and for longer term improvements of this type of reactor. They got a significant support from the European Commission in its 5. Euratom Framework Program (FP5) for the development of HTR technology in the fields of reactor physics, fuel and fuel cycle, materials, components and licensing issues. In this context an important program of irradiation of HTR fuel, vessel material and graphite is under preparation, and the technology of fabrication of coated particle fuel are being mastered. International co-operation is also developed with the main organisations active in HTR development outside Europe. (authors)