CHAPTER 26 - IN SEARCH OF A PROGRAMME

Abstract

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the events that were taking place during 1972–73 in the signatory countries of Dragon Project. If the fortunes of the HTR were rising toward their zenith, this did not mean that those of Dragon were also rising. An undisputed leader in the field in 1965, Dragon's star had waned as GGA's had risen. By the end of 1972, it seemed that the HTR had really arrived. In Germany, Brown Boveri and Nukem had concluded agreements with GGA and were hard at work, preparing the design and fuel for a large prismatic reactor power station for VEW. Apart from this, work continued on the construction of the THTR prototype; the HTR helium turbine association had been set up to pursue the development of the direct cycle system, and Kraftwerk Union was preparing to enter the scene with a longer-term development of the pebble bed for process-heat applications. In France, the Commissariat a l’Energie Atomique was well satisfied with the agreements made with GGA for cooperation and, while concluding further contracts to cover components and fuel, was supporting a joint study made by the industrial groups GHTR and Technicatome for an 1160MW power reactor based on GGA technology in which EDF and the Swiss were interested.