A study on utilization of heat of high temperature gas-cooled reactors

Abstract

The demand for energy is increasing worldwide along with increases in population and rises in the standard of living. If the needed energy is supplied only by fossil fuels, environmental problems will impose limits on human activities. Recognizing that more than 60% of the energy consumed in Japan is non-electrical energy, FAPIG organized the HTR-HUC Working Group to study methods of using heat from high temperature gas-cooled reactors (HTR) to mitigate environmental and resource problems, and to contribute to the steady supply and effective use of energy. We chose three types of model plants to study, 1) a co-generation plant which can be built with existing technology, 2) a coal gasification plant which can accelerate the clean use of coal and contribute to a stable supply of energy and the preservation of the environment, and 3) a hydrogen production plant whose hydrogen will release people from their dependence on fossil energy.