Economic solution for low carbon process heat: A horizontal, compact high temperature gas reactor

In 2018, nuclear energy generated 55% of United States’ and one third the world’s carbon free electricity, making a key tool in efforts to mitigate climate change before 2050. However, current technology, light water reactors (LWRs), is limited 300°C, so it cannot be used decarbonize industrial process heat which accounts for 12% US greenhouse gas emissions. High temperature (HTGRs) can meet high demand with heat. The estimated cost HTGRs, such as Next Generation Nuclear Plant (NGNP), are even higher than state-of-the-art LWRs. this paper, we expanded our estimating include HTGRs find that NGNP overnight capital costs were 32% an advanced LWR per unit capacity. will naturally result larger risk overrun recently experienced by LWRs western nations. With design-to-build mindset minimize construction risk, introduce horizontal, compact HTGR (HC-HTGR). reactor core steam generator mounted horizontally on rails in-line another, decreasing size building relative power capacity four times when compared traditional HTGRs. HC-HTGR reduced civil structure 42%, indirect 38%, total 20% from NGNP. We discussed required engineering new systems including vessel supports, cavity cooling system, design. Finally, fuel operations HC-HTGR, survey low-carbon technology showed deliver highly competitive levelized range $6.13–12.48/GJ.