Conclusions
The High Temperature Reactor is suitable as a heat source for energy conversion units for the markets of small-scale energy production because of its inherent safety characteristics, such as:
- Passive removal of the decay heat by natural draft
- Negative temperature coefficient
- Coated particle fuel (TRISO)
- Spherical fuel elements
- Low power density
- Fuel integrity is maintained under all conditions including depressurization and loss of cooling, so no "safety procedures" and no "defense in depth design" are needed.
- The gas turbine cycle (Brayton-cycle) has a higher efficiency, so produces less thermal pollution than the existing nuclear power plants, which use the steam cycle (Rankine- cycle).