Electric power and process heat from a 500 MW high temperature reactor - the optimal use of the experience gained with the THTR 300

The high temperature reactor is a source of energy to be universally used for the supply of electric power and heat. The high inherent safety of the gas cooled reactor system makes the high temperature reactor especially suitable for energy supply close to the consumer in the industrialized countries and for the use in the developing countries as well as the countries at the threshold of industrialization making use of nuclear power supply for the first time. The HTR 500 is the consequent continuation of the THTR concept using in an optimal way the experience gained in planning, construction and licensing of the THTR. The same is true for a PNP prototype plant with a thermal power of 500 MW. The completion of the THTR therefore is a prerequisite for continuing the entire HTR system. The pressure test of the prestressed concrete pressure vessel performed at the end of September 1982 indicates the high degree of completion of the primary system of this plant; the financial problems therefore have to be solved as quickly as possible. (orig.)