Nuclear/coal synergy early in the 21st century with advanced bi-modal MHR

To provide a secure energy supply, and avoid large trade deficits, the U.S. must become more reliant on indigenous resources, namely coal and uranium that are in abundant supply. In this paper an advanced high-temperature modular helium reactor (MHR) plant concept would fully utilize these two resources, and with bi-modal operation would have the capability of generating electricity and producing synthetic fuels. Operating at a high level of reactor outlet temperature, the power generation would come from a direct cycle helium gas turbine with an efficiency on the order of 50%. In the high temperature process heat mode, with a coal feedstock, the plant would produce clean burning fuels primarily to meet transportation needs, namely methanol, synthetic natural gas or hydrogen. The enabling technologies necessary to make such a hybrid plant a reality are well understood, and in many cases have been partially demonstrated, and a perspective of these is discussed, with the projection that the realization of such a plant is possible early in the next century