Prospects of the high-temperature reactor

The operation of helium-cooled HTR is compared with its gas-cooled predecessors and with light- and heavy-water cooled and moderated systems. It is suggested that tha HTR has a versatility and development potential not possessed by other reactor systems, arising from the possibilities of using gas turbines or very efficient dual cycles in power generation and in its application as a direct heat source for industrial processes. It is particularly well adapted to the use of Th/U fuel cycle with its very favourable utilisation of uranium resources. Other features include simpler primary circuit layout in comparison with AGR; favourable inherent safety features with low vulnerability to loss of the coolant; high thermodynamic efficiency; and construction costs comparable to those of LWRs