The pebble bed modular reactor

One of the victims of the cut back in nuclear development in the 1980s was the High Temperature Gas-cooled Reactor (HTGR), the most promising technology from the 1960s and 70s. This technology is now being reassessed by the South African state utility, Eskom. The HTGR concept being investigated is a Pebble Bed Modular Reactor based heavily on German technology and using a closed cycle gas turbine with a power output of 100MW. Among the advantages being claimed for the plant are: low operating and fuel costs; small size; inherent safety; short construction lead time; and the ability to locate the plant where the load is thus reducing the problems of transmission and distribution which can be considerable in South Africa. The PBMR may offer an effective solution to supply difficulties in areas away from the coal fields. An overview of the concept is given. (UK)