The potential of HTR for contributing to the reduction of CO2 emissions and security of energy

supply in Europe

Dominique Hittner

AREVA NP

Chairman of the (European) HTR Technology Network (HTR-TN)

What is HTR-TN?

� 20 partners from 11 EU countries�5 nuclear engineering companies�2 large utilities�1 worldwide graphite

manufacturing leader, �8 research centres, �3 universities

� Created in 2000 for supporting industrial development of HTR

� Roadmap for HTR deployment � 12 projects until now in FP5-6 & 7,

including the 20 M€ IP RAPHAEL�Participation in several non-

EURATOM projects� Rescue of European HTR know-how� International engagement� Presently new projects for the next

step are in preparation

AMEC Ansaldo Nucleare Areva NP Areva NC Belgonucléaire Commissariat à l’Energie Atomique (CEA) Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) Electricité de France (EdF) Empresarios Agrupados Forschungszentrum Jülich (FZJ) GrafTech Joint Research Centre of the E.C. (JRC) NEXIA Solutions Nuclear Research & consultancy Group (NRG) Nuclear Research Institute – Rěz (NRI) Paul Scherrer Institut (PSI) Suez-Tractebel Universität Stuttgart University of Applied Sciences Zittau/Görlitz VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland

The European nuclear development strategy: the Strategic Research Agenda of

SNE-TP

Forms of energy utilisation

Oil43%

Gas16%

Electricity16%

Coal7%

Other renewables

4%

Combustible renewables

14%

Nuclear Electricitytoday

Heat

Elect rici ty

⇒Heat applications represent a huge market, larger than the electricity market

What is a HTR?

What is a HTR?

HTR = High Temperature Reactor

� Graphite moderated

⇒ Thermal neutron spectrum

⇒ Very negative temperature coefficient

� ~ 1000 T of graphite in a 600 MWth reactor

⇒ Very large thermal inertia

� Helium cooled

⇒ Chemical inertia

� Coated particle fuel (TRISO)

⇒ Keeps its leak tightness to fission products up to very high temperature (> 1600°C)

� Low power density (a few MW/m3

Vs ~ 100 MW/m3 in PWR)

High operating temperature

( 850°C with existing materials and fuel

Inherent safety features

Buffer 95µmInner

PyC 40µm

UO2 kernel 600µm

Outer PyC 40µm

SiC 35µm

“Modular” design, with passive safety,low power (( 600 MW),

competitive

What is a HTR?

HTR fuel cycles

� The HTR can burn different types of fuel (U, Pu, minor actinides, Th cycle) without design change� Very good Pu burner: 100% Pu cores

� HTR is compatible with closed cycle (U-Pu, Th-233U → thermal breeding): � A specific reprocessing head-end needed for breaking

particle coating layers and separating fuel kernels� Experience on breaking particles with mechanical

crushing (manufacturing)� New processes under development (ultrasonic pulses,

chemical or thermal degradation, pulsed current)

� It must still be verified that these processes work with irradiated fuel

� Once kernels separated, reprocessing with standard PUREX process for U fuel and with a similar process, THOREX, developed up to the industrial pilot for Th cycle.

Weapon Pu

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Re

lativ

e p

luto

nium

isot

ope

qua

ntiti

es

LWR spent fuel option

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

N et co nsumpt io nP u39: ~51%T o ta l P u: ~27%

GT-MHR spent fuel option

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

1

N et co nsumpt io nP u39: 90-95%T o ta l P u: 65-72%

Pu 239

Pu 240

Pu 241

Pu 242

Why do we need HTR?

Why do we need HTR?

� Specific assets of modular HTR� High temperature

� Beyond electricity generation, a large range of industrial process heat applications� Cogeneration application: a growing need of industry

� Flexibility� Modular concept: possibility to adapt more easily to the versatility of applications power needs� Cogeneration: even more fine tuning

� Mature technology� It can address in the short term the

reduction of CO2 emissions andenergy independence

⇒ HTR: most appropriate fission system to address energy needs of industry

� B

Cogeneration in Europe (EUROPROG, EUROSTAT)

Temperature (°C)

1600 1400 1200 800 600 400

Desalination, District Heating Urea Synthesis

Wood Pulp Manufacture De-sulfurization of Heavy Oil

Petroleum Refineries Town Gas

Ethylene (naphtha, ethane) Hydrogen (Steam Reforming)

Electricity Generation

Glass Manufacturing Cement Manufacturing

Iron Manufacturing

App

1000

Styrene (ethylbenzene)

Gasification of Coal

Reactor Temperature up to 850°C

Nuclear Heat

200

(with a Blast Furnace) (Direction Reduction Methods)

Application

(Gas Turbine)

Figure 1: Present heat intensive industrial processes

SFR, LFR, SCWR→→→→ 500°C

LWR, HWR →→→→ 250°C

HTR, →→→→ 800°C VHTR > 800°CMSR →→→→ 600°C

GFR

A very large industrial application: cogeneration of electricity and steam

07 - 2001SUT Utility Terminal550 t/h47 bar

2 ALSTOM 9FA+2x 240 MW + 250 MW ST

SembCorp CogenSingaporePulau Sakra24

11 - 2001Tioxide Chemical plant128 t/h

70 - 20 barGE LM 6000 PD DLE43 MW + 5 MW ST (1shaft)

EnersolCalais - FranceTioxide25

12 - 2001Condat Paper Mill190 t/h66 - 7 bar

2 GE LM 6000 PD DLE2 x 43 MW

Périgord EnergieCondat - FranceCondat26

01 - 2002Peugeot Car Factory100 t/h41 - 8 bar

GE LM 6000 PD DLE43 MW

CogethermSochaux - FrancePeugeot Sochaux27

04 - 2002PTT Oil Refinery70 t/h41 bar

ROLLS-ROYCE Coberra265613 MW

Petroleum Authority of ThailandRayong - ThailandPTT Rayong28

05 - 2002Solvay Chemical Plant70 t/h57 bar

GE LM 2500 PJ DLE21 MW

Elyo Cogeneración 2000Martorell - SpainSolvay Martorell29

07 - 2002Lyondell Chemical Plant120 t/h21 bar

GE LM 6000 PD DLE44 MWElectrabel NLRotterdam - NetherlandsAir Products30

10 - 2002Papeteries Etienne Paper Mill85 t/h

41 - 4.5 barGE LM 6000 PD DLE44 MW

SethelecArles - FranceArles Paper Mill31

11 - 2004Smurfit Paper Mill20 t/h15 bar

SIEMENS V94.3A400 MW - Single Shaft CCPP

Voghera EnergiaVoghera - ItalyVoghera CCCPP32

10-2005Stadtwerke Saarbrücken AG120 t/h

112-70 barLM6000PD44 MW

ElectrabelSaarbrücken GermanyRepoweringRomerbrücke

33

Lanxess rubber producer120 t/h50 MW ElectrabelBelgiumLanxessCogeneration

34

CommercialOperation

Heat ClientHeat

ProductionGas turbineClient - OwnerLocation - CountryProject name

An example of cogeneration system for an industrial platform

Syngas production

� Today

� A short term path

� A longer term path

CO+H2CO+H2C+H2OCoal chemistry

R&D

no CO 2 emission

HTR as heat sourceHTR as heat source

CO+H2CO+H2

H2OH2O

CO2 recycling R&D

HTR as heat sourceHTR as heat source

Clean coal power plant

O2

CO2

no CO 2 emission

CO+H2CO+H2C+O2+H2OCoal

gasification

CO2

Coal for heatingCoal for heating

C

Coal (for heating) + O 2

450°C850°C DécompositionH2SO4

H2

DécompositionHI

VaporisationHI

O2

Réaction deBunsen

SO2

ConcentrationH2SO4

H20

I2

I2 + SO2 + 2 H2O → H2SO4 + 2 HI[120 °C]

2 HI → H2 + I2[330 °C]

H2SO4↓

H2O + SO2 + ½ O2[850 °C]

450°C850°C DécompositionH2SO4

H2

DécompositionHI

VaporisationHI

O2

Réaction deBunsen

SO2

ConcentrationH2SO4

H20

I2

450°C850°C DécompositionH2SO4

H2

DécompositionHI

VaporisationHI

O2

Réaction deBunsen

SO2

ConcentrationH2SO4

H20

I2

I2 + SO2 + 2 H2O → H2SO4 + 2 HI[120 °C]

2 HI → H2 + I2[330 °C]

H2SO4↓

H2O + SO2 + ½ O2[850 °C]

Hydrogen production

Short term path for reduction of CO2 emissions

Long term path for reduction of CO2 emissions

Water electrolysisPresent production technologies

Methane Steam Reforming (SMR)

⇒ 100% CO2 freeCompetitive

Low efficiency (20-25%)⇒ 30% reduction of CO2 emission

CompetitiveVery high efficiency (> 70%)

Nuclear heat (VHTR)

+ nuclear electricity+ Steam electrolysis

+ Thermo-chemical processes

High efficiency (~ 45%)⇒ 100% CO2 free

Nuclear electricity Nuclear heat (HTR) + SMR (+ reduction of process temperature)

H

c

CO2 Sep. (152)

(131)

CO2

NG compressor

HDS(170)

(160)

H2 compressor

c

PSA(190)

H2

c cc

H

(151)

Heat Exchange Network (140)

Demi Water

Steam

Natural Gas

Post CombustionChamber (120)

Heat Exchanger (110)

Nuclear or Solar Energy

Air

Second Post Combustion

Chamber(137)

H2 Recycle

(12)

PSA purge

PSA Purge (11)

Natural Gas Make-up

H

H

(20)

(24)(25)

(14)

(13)

(132) (133)

Stack(180)

(134)

(135)

(136)

H

(23)

(22)

(21)

(26)

(11)

(19)

(10)

(15)(16)

(17)

(18)

H

c

CO2 Sep. (152)

(131)

CO2

NG compressor

HDS(170)

(160)

H2 compressor

c

PSA(190)

H2

c cc

H

(151)

Heat Exchange Network (140)

Demi Water

Steam

Natural Gas

Post CombustionChamber (120)

Heat Exchanger (110)

Nuclear or Solar Energy

Air

Second Post Combustion

Chamber(137)

H2 Recycle

(12)

PSA purge

PSA Purge (11)

Natural Gas Make-up

H

H

(20)

(24)(25)

(14)

(13)

(132) (133)

Stack(180)

(134)

(135)

(136)

H

(23)

(22)

(21)

(26)

(11)

(19)

(10)

(15)(16)

(17)

(18)

????Technical feasibility

Competitiveness

Membrane SMR

S-I process

High temperature electrolysis stack

module

The international context

REACTORVESSEL

INTERMEDIATE HEAT EXCHANGER (IHX)

MODULE FUELSTORAGE AREA

REACTOR CAVITYCOOLING SYSTEM(RCCS) TANKS

HEAT RECOVERYSTEAM GENERATOR(HRSG)

GENERATOR

L.P. TURBINE

CONDENSERH.P./I.P. TURBINE

COMPRESSOR

GAS TURBINE

MAINTRANSFORMER

RCCS HEADERSAND STANDPIPES

FUEL TRANSFERTUNNEL

SECONDARY GASISOLATION VALVES (TYPICAL)

SECONDARYGAS BYPASS

CONDENSERCOOLING WATER

Japan: HTTR test reactor, 30MWth, in operation since

1998

Korea: NHDD project

China: HTR-10, test reactor, 10MWth, in operation since

2000China: HTR-PM, industrial

prototype, 2x250 MWth, commissioning 2013

USA: NGNP, industrial prototype for CHP and hydroge n production, commissioning in 2021

Japan: GTTR 300, 600 MWth

France: ANTARES programme for a CHP

system, 600 MWth

Russia: GT-MHR project

South Africa: PBMR400 MWth, commissioning in 2014

Status of HTR development in the world

Status of HTR development in the world: recent trends

� “Generation IV International Forum (GIF)”: the VHTR is the system with the highest momentum, with already 3 Project Arrangements signed (fuel, hydrogen, materials)

� Emphasis of NGNP and PBMR on process heat applications

� Major US process heat user companies support NGNP

� Evolving design of PBMR

� China: digging the ground for HTR-PM foundations

E.U.

Plenary session “voice of the customer, Application of Process Heat from HTRs”

PBMR 2004: direct cycle for electricity generation

PBMR 2008: indirect cycle for CHP

What about Europe?

The assets of Europe: the legacy of past developments

� Europe built HTR up to the industrial prototype scale

� Europe developed the technology of components for industrial process heat applications

� Europe developed high quality fuel

THTR (FRG)1986 - 1989

AVR (FRG)1967 - 1988

DRAGON (U.K.)1963 - 76

EXPERIMENTAL REACTORS DEMONSTRATION OFBASIC HTR TECHNOLOGY

MODULAR CONCEPT

10 MW mock-up of a He-He

heat exchanger

10 MW steam reformer mock-up for nuclear application

The assets of Europe: the present situation

� The renaissance of HTR technology development in Europe� Materials qualified for HTR applications� Advanced technologies for heat exchangers developed� Fuel manufacturing technology

recovered

� EURATOM is involved in GIF VHTR projects

� The European industry is involved in the main international HTR projects (USA, South Africa and China), supplying technology and components

⇒ Europe is also ready to develop its own HTR: within 10 to 15 years there could be in Europe a HT R demonstrator supplying heat

to industrial processes

SE RRATED FINS

Before and after BRA ZING

0.8 à 2 .5 mm

3 .53 à 9.63 mm

M ODULE

PLATES/FINS Assembly

PFHE 1

SE RRATED FINS

Before and after BRA ZING

0.8 à 2 .5 mm

3 .53 à 9.63 mm

M ODULE

PLATES/FINS Assembly

PFHE 1

INLETAPERTURE

OUTLETAPERTURE

RINGRING

N2+He

He

Plates are brazed along seams Rings welded by

plasma

PFHE 2INLET

APERTURE

OUTLETAPERTURE

RINGRING

N2+He

He

Plates are brazed along seams Rings welded by

plasma

PFHE 2

Corrugated plate HXCorrugated plate HX

PMHE conceptPMHE conceptPMHE concept

(CEA Cadarache)UO2 kernel fabrication UO2 kernel coating

Plate heat exchanger conceptsHE-FUS3 helium loop(ENEA Brasimone)

What to do?

Need of a partnership with end-users

� A strategic alliance between reactor vendors and utilities allowed developing nuclear systems adapted to operators’ requirements

� For developing heat and co-generation HTRs for industrial process energy needs, a strategic alliance must be built with

� Industrial users of process heat

� Engineering companies supplying plants to process heat users

� Designers and operators of cogeneration plants for industry

� Such alliance is needed for

� Defining end user requirements on the nuclear heat source

� Adapting the industrial process applications to operation with a HTR

� Building this alliance is a challenge: even if increasing costs and CO2 reduction concerns are impacting industry, there remains still a cultural and economic gap

� Very different time scales for investment feedback in nuclear Vs non-nuclear industry

� Large investment often already made for minimising energy needs of the plants ⇒ possibility of resorting to a nuclear energy source only for new plants

� General reluctance to resort to nuclear energy (alleged risks, hostile public opinion…)

A proposed initial step for the developing a strategic alliance with process heat and

co-generation industrial users

� Proposal presented in the present call of Euratom 7th Framework Programme: EUROPAIRS = End-User Requirements for Process Heat Applications with Innovative Reactor for Sustainable Energy Supply

� Objectives� To develop a strategic alliance between nuclear and process heat and co-generation

user industries for developing a HTR demonstrator coupled with industrial processes

� To make jointly (with partners from nuclear, end-user and licensing organisations) an assessment of the feasibility of the coupling� Technical� Industrial� Economic� Licensing� Sustainability

⇒ Identification of the issues which require developments

⇒Roadmap for the development of a demonstrator

� If selected for funding, starting of the project beginning of 2009

EUROPAIRS partnership

• End-user industries• ArcelorMittal – France Steel making• Technip KTI – Italy • Prochem – Poland • Saipem – France/Italy• Utility Support Group B.V. (USG/DSM) – The Netherlan ds Chemistry + energy supply operator

• Energy supply operators (+ nuclear operator)• Fortum Power and Heat Oy – Finland• Suez – Belgium

• Nuclear industry • Amec-NNC – UK• Areva NP – France

• Technical Support Organisations of Nuclear Regulato ry Bodies• Gesellschaft für Anlagen- und Reaktorsicherheit (GRS) – Germany• Institute for Radiological Protection and Nuclear S afety (IRSN) – France • TüV Nord – Germany

• Nuclear research• Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique (CEA) – France• Joint Research Centre of the European Commission (J RC)• ForschungsZentrum Jülich GmbH (FZJ) – Germany• Nexia Solutions Ltd – UK• Nuclear Research & consultancy Group (NRG) – The Net herlands

�The objective is to develop the end-user group

Oil engineering

Two Polish fertiliser companies interested in joining the partnership:ZAK and PUŁAWY

Next step: a project for the pre-conceptual design of a demonstrator

Proposed for being launched in 2009-2010, jointly between HTR-TN partners and non-nuclear industries

� Pre-conceptual design

� Selection of the main options of the reactor

� Selection of prototypic industrial process applications and of the main options for the selected process

� Definition of coupling schemes

� Design of the components of the reactor, of the coupling system and of the applications

� Licensing reference frame

� Support R&D

� Continuation of nuclear R&D (fuel, materials, component qualification, computer code qualification, waste management) + initiation of a few new topics (e.g. high temperature instrumentation)

� Development of application processes and possibly of heat transport technologies

� Search for a funding scheme and a partnership (European or international) for carrying out a demonstrator project

Conclusion

� There is a large potential for a breakthrough of HTR as CHP CO2 free plants for addressing industry energy needs

� A fast track for deployment of HTR, minimising development risks, is possible

� For a breakthrough of HTR in the CHP market to be possible, a strategic alliance with heat-user industries is necessary

� A political push is needed for inciting industry to look for such prospects, which cannot enter into the frame of “business as usual”

� The strategy proposed by HTR-TN is in line with

� The global strategy for energy R&D proposed by the EC for developing low carbon technologies (SET plan)

� The Strategic Research Agenda of SNE-TP