HT3R
Encyclopedia
The University of Texas of the Permian Basin
(UTPB) and the Los Alamos National Laboratory
(LANL), are proposing a multifaceted energy research facility called the High-Temperature Teaching & Test Reactor (HT3R or HT3R) to be located in Andrews County, Texas. The proposal envisions a 25MWt (Megawatt thermal) reactor operated by a merchant nuclear power operating company with the education and science at the facility managed through an arrangement between LANL and UTPB/UTS (University of Texas System
).
The original Pre-Conceptual Design (PCD) for the facility was completed in January, 2008 by UTPB and General Atomics
. The HT3R, per the PCD, is a “Generation IV” (GEN-IV) gas-cooled (with Helium) reactor with a graphite block core containing fuel “compacts.” These compacts are made by mixing graphite with TRISO fuel pellets with Low Enriched Uranium (LEU) which has less than 20% of Uranium-235
. However, the “new” planned operating temperature of 700o to 750oC is well below the previous PCD operating temperature of 850o to 900oC first called for by the DOE’s NGNP program.
The HT3R will be the experimental cornerstone of a new energy research center at the UTPB. Since the early 1990s no new university teaching and training reactors have been constructed and in fact many across the United States have been shut down. Further, only two other aging water-cooled research reactors, one at the University of Missouri
(1966) and one at the National Institute of Standards and Technology
(1967), are capable of operating at power levels greater than 10 MWt that can provide useful facilities for fuel qualification, training, and basic advanced research. Neither of these reactors can provide the enhanced capabilities necessary for education, research and pilot-scale testing for Gen-IV reactor systems.
The mission of the HT3R is to serve as a national user facility for:
• Demonstrating that a Green FreedomTH pilot plant can be used to manufacture synthetic hydrocarbon fuels, in sufficient quantities per kWhr, at remote sites around the world for military and civilian applications.
• Performing research and testing to qualify the TRISO LEU fuel for GEN-IV reactors in the US.
• Exploring the use of proliferation resistant fuels in the US, including thorium-based and other advanced fuel cycle concepts.
• Performing basic and applied research using the enhanced capabilities offered by a “Generation IV” type nuclear reactor system.
• Facilitating the education and training of the next generation of nuclear scientists and engineers.
This joint effort uses the scientific and technical resources of New Mexico and Texas to enhance national energy security and regional economic development, plus reduce the environmental impact of GEN-IV nuclear reactors plus liquid fuels production and use. These new technologies offer promising concepts for using low risk technologies to provide security and economic stability for US energy supplies.
University of Texas of the Permian Basin
The University of Texas of the Permian Basin is located in Odessa, Texas. It was authorized by the Texas Legislature in 1969 and founded in 1973...
(UTPB) and the Los Alamos National Laboratory
Los Alamos National Laboratory
Los Alamos National Laboratory is a United States Department of Energy national laboratory, managed and operated by Los Alamos National Security , located in Los Alamos, New Mexico...
(LANL), are proposing a multifaceted energy research facility called the High-Temperature Teaching & Test Reactor (HT3R or HT3R) to be located in Andrews County, Texas. The proposal envisions a 25MWt (Megawatt thermal) reactor operated by a merchant nuclear power operating company with the education and science at the facility managed through an arrangement between LANL and UTPB/UTS (University of Texas System
University of Texas System
The University of Texas System encompasses 15 educational institutions in Texas, of which nine are academic universities and six are health institutions. The system is headquartered in Austin and has a total enrollment of over 190,000 students...
).
The original Pre-Conceptual Design (PCD) for the facility was completed in January, 2008 by UTPB and General Atomics
General Atomics
General Atomics is a nuclear physics and defense contractor headquartered in San Diego, California. General Atomics’ research into fission and fusion matured into competencies in related technologies, allowing the company to expand into other fields of research...
. The HT3R, per the PCD, is a “Generation IV” (GEN-IV) gas-cooled (with Helium) reactor with a graphite block core containing fuel “compacts.” These compacts are made by mixing graphite with TRISO fuel pellets with Low Enriched Uranium (LEU) which has less than 20% of Uranium-235
Uranium-235
- References :* .* DOE Fundamentals handbook: Nuclear Physics and Reactor theory , .* A piece of U-235 the size of a grain of rice can produce energy equal to that contained in three tons of coal or fourteen barrels of oil. -External links:* * * one of the earliest articles on U-235 for the...
. However, the “new” planned operating temperature of 700o to 750oC is well below the previous PCD operating temperature of 850o to 900oC first called for by the DOE’s NGNP program.
The HT3R will be the experimental cornerstone of a new energy research center at the UTPB. Since the early 1990s no new university teaching and training reactors have been constructed and in fact many across the United States have been shut down. Further, only two other aging water-cooled research reactors, one at the University of Missouri
University of Missouri
The University of Missouri System is a state university system providing centralized administration for four universities, a health care system, an extension program, five research and technology parks, and a publishing press. More than 64,000 students are currently enrolled at its four campuses...
(1966) and one at the National Institute of Standards and Technology
National Institute of Standards and Technology
The National Institute of Standards and Technology , known between 1901 and 1988 as the National Bureau of Standards , is a measurement standards laboratory, otherwise known as a National Metrological Institute , which is a non-regulatory agency of the United States Department of Commerce...
(1967), are capable of operating at power levels greater than 10 MWt that can provide useful facilities for fuel qualification, training, and basic advanced research. Neither of these reactors can provide the enhanced capabilities necessary for education, research and pilot-scale testing for Gen-IV reactor systems.
The mission of the HT3R is to serve as a national user facility for:
• Demonstrating that a Green FreedomTH pilot plant can be used to manufacture synthetic hydrocarbon fuels, in sufficient quantities per kWhr, at remote sites around the world for military and civilian applications.
• Performing research and testing to qualify the TRISO LEU fuel for GEN-IV reactors in the US.
• Exploring the use of proliferation resistant fuels in the US, including thorium-based and other advanced fuel cycle concepts.
• Performing basic and applied research using the enhanced capabilities offered by a “Generation IV” type nuclear reactor system.
• Facilitating the education and training of the next generation of nuclear scientists and engineers.
This joint effort uses the scientific and technical resources of New Mexico and Texas to enhance national energy security and regional economic development, plus reduce the environmental impact of GEN-IV nuclear reactors plus liquid fuels production and use. These new technologies offer promising concepts for using low risk technologies to provide security and economic stability for US energy supplies.