Present status of JAEA’s R&D toward HTGR deployment

Abstract

Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) has been promoting the research and development (R&D) of High Temperature Gas-cooled Reactor (HTGR). HTGR having superior safety features can supply high temperature heat above 900 °C and it makes possible to use nuclear energy to heat source for various industries as well as to power generation. Promotion of R&D on HTGR and hydrogen production system is stated in Japanese policies, e,g, The 6th Strategic Energy Plan and The Green Growth Strategy Through Achieving Carbon Neutrality in 2050. R&D on reactor technologies is carried out by using High Temperature engineering Test Reactor (HTTR) which is the first HTGR in Japan. On July 30th 2021, the HTTR was resumed without significant reinforcements. On January 28th 2022, a safety demonstration test under the OECD/NEA LOFC project was carried out. JAEA is promoting R&D on a carbon-free hydrogen production by thermochemical water splitting Iodine-Sulfur process (IS process). Hydrogen production test for 150 h with 0.03 m3/h-H2 was successfully performed in January 2019. JAEA conducts design study for various HTGR systems toward commercialization. The major one is GTHTR300C for hydrogen and electric power cogeneration. JAEA has launched a new test program about demonstration of hydrogen production by the HTTR. Steam methane reforming hydrogen production system was selected for the first demonstration by 2030. The other carbon-free hydrogen production method will be demonstrated, later.