Future Development of Modular HTGR in China after HTR-PM

7th International Topic Meeting on High Temperature Reactor Technology (HTR2014)Oct. 27-31, 2014, Weihai, China

Zhang Zuoyi, Wang Haitao*, Dong Yujie, Li Fu

Institute of Nuclear and New Energy TechnologyTsinghua University, Beijing, China

wanght@tsinghua.edu.cn

Plenary Session 4: Application and market

Outline

HTGR roadmap in ChinaHTR-PM600 as next step

Main philosophyDesign descriptionsEconomics

Conclusions

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HTGR roadmap in China

Key feature of HTGR: extend the application of nuclear energy to process heat, a similar market volume to nuclear power

Supplement to LWR for power generation

HTGR Roles in China

Hydrogen production as next step

Co-generation to supply steam

Water desalination District heating Oil recovery Petroleum refinery Coal liquefaction

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HTGR roadmap in China

Basic researchTest reactor Demonstration plant

1970s1986, HTR-10 2001, HTR-PM

Commercial plant

2014~

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HTR-1010 MWt High Temperature gas-cooled test Reactor

HTR-10 in 1995 HTR-10 in 1997 HTR-10 in 2000

1986: Became one of the key projects in the “National High Technology Program (863)” 1992: Government approved to construct HTR-101995: Started to construct HTR-10 in INET, Tsinghua University, Beijing2000: HTR-10 reached first criticality2003: HTR-10 operated in full power

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HTR-PM in 2008 HTR-PM in 2009 HTR-PM in 2014

2004: Industry investment agreement was signed2006: Decided to use 2×250 MWt reactor modules with a 200 MWesteam turbine, became a key government R&D project2008: ATP was issued2012.12: FCD the first concrete poured

HTR-PM200 MWe High Temperature gas-cooled Reactor Pebble-bed Module

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HTGR roadmap in China

Next Step: commercialization based on HTR-PM experiences

HTR-PM HTR-PM600Engineering verification tests

Design

Manufacture

Construction

Commissioning

Licensing

Project management

HTGR roadmap in ChinaObjectives of HTR-PM600

Standardized plant (2x600MWe)Cogeneration

ElectricityProcess steam

Inherent safetyModularization

Based on the 250MWth reactor module from HTR-PMEconomic competitiveness

Comparable to a PWR of the same size

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HTR-PM600 as next step

Philosophy of markets

Small to medium size power generation

Cogeneration Overseas markets

Areas of China

• Constrained siting

• Lack of water

• Limited grid capacity

• Electricity• District heating

ResidentialCommercial

• Process steamIndustrial

12-th Five-Year Plan of Energy Development in China (2011-2015)

Targeted incremental capacity of coal-fired cogeneration: 70GW

Maturity• Design• Supply chain• Project management• Licensing

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HTR-PM600 as next step

Philosophy of Design

Inherent safety Design characteristics of HTR-PM as reference• Retention of radionuclides

• Self reactivity control• Self decay heat removal

• Nuclear Steam Supply System (NSSS) module

• System configuration• Plant layout

HTR

No electricity, No water are required

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HTR-PM600 as next step

Philosophy of Design

Proven technologies from HTR-PM

Mature turbine technologies from fossil power plants

Modularization & standardization

• Fuel element• Manufacture- RPV- Steam generator- Metal internals- Control rod system- Main helium circulator- Fuel handling- Spent fuel storage

• Mature technologies of the 600MW steam turbine that is popular in Chinese fossil power plants can be adopted

• Modularized NSSS• Standard plant- 2 HTR-PM600 units- 12 NSSS modules

HTR-PM600 as next step

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HTR-PM600 deploys the same NSSS module with HTR-PMA HTR-PM600 unit comprises six NSSS modulesEach NSSS consists of one 250MWth pebble-bed reactor module and one steam generator(once through helical coiled) arranged side-by-sideSix NSSS modules feed one steam turbineHTR-PM600 cogenerates electricity & steamSteam is extracted at the turbine sideA standardized plant consists of two HTR-PM600 units

Design descriptions

HTR-PM600 as next step

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FuelThe same with HTR-PM

Fuel circulationMulti-pass

Fuel handlingOnline continuous refueling

Spent fuel storageStorage canister (40,000 fuels)Storage well (interim storage)Capacity at nuclear island: tenyears interim storage

Design descriptions

HTR-PM600 as next step

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Parameter Unit ValueReactor thermal power MW 6 x 250Electrical power (electricity only) MW 650Designed life time a 40Working mode - CogenerationMaximum process steam temperature

oC 550

Primary helium pressure MPa 7Core inlet temperature oC 250Core outlet temperature oC 750Fuel type - Coated particle spherical fuelEnrichment of fresh fuel % 8.5Number of fuels per reactor core - ~420,000Average burn-up GWd/tU 90Main feed water temperature oC 205Main steam temperature oC 566Main steam pressure MPa 13.24Containment type - Low pressure ventilatedTurbine type - Super high-pressure steam turbine

6 250×

HTR-PM600 as next step

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Design descriptions – plant layout

HTR-PM HTR-PM600

NSSS

• RPV, steam generator

• CR, SAS

• Reactor internals

• Main helium circulator

Fuel handling system

Decay heat removal system

I&C and electrical systems

Containment

HTR-PM600 as next step

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HTR-PM600 as next step

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HTR-PM600 as next step

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The cost issue is one of the focus in the project.Practices from the HTR-PM project provide a basis.More than 90% (in costs) of the equipments has been orderedthrough bidding process. There is a detailed costs databankfor HTR-PM and also the PWR projects currently underconstruction in China.The conclusion which was accepted is: given that thegovernment provides 30% of the capital cost and 100% of theR&D cost, and that the owner share the site infrastructure, theHTR-PM demonstration plant will achieve the capital cost(USD/kWe) and generation costs (cents/kWhr) similar to thecurrent 2nd generation 1000 MWe PWR in the Chinese market.

Economics

HTR-PM600 as next step

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Major difference: costs of the RPVs and reactor internalsHTR-PM has heavier RPVs and reactor internalsRPVs and reactor internals account for ~2% of total plant costsfor a PWR in Chinese market, the cost increase from RPVs andreactor internals has limited impact

Significantly simplified auxiliary systemsReduce associated equipment costsHelp compensate part of the cost increase from the RPVs andreactor internals

Turbine costs are reduced as mature turbine technologiesfrom coal-fired plants in the Chinese market are availableNo significant difference between HTR-PM and a PWR in other

costs

Economics

HTR-PM600 as next step

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Economics

HTR-PM600 as next step

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Cost of HTR-PM600 would be further reduced considering:Reduced siting (need discussion with regulatory body)Mass production: cost reductions due to the economies of scaleKnowledge share of modules

Erection and commissioning workWork parallelization to reduce construction scheduleReduction in indirect costs by knowledge share in the design andproject management work

Domestic manufacture to a large extent: Main components andsystems of HTR-PM are primarily domestic manufactured.Localization work is underway for some costly components suchas graphite and electromagnetic bearing system, which areexpected to apply to HTR-PM600

Economics

Conclusions

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Following the HTGR roadmap in China, HTR-PM600 is underdevelopment as a new step towards commercializationHTR-PM600 cogenerates electricity and steamHTR-PM600 takes full advantages of HTR-PM outcomes

Design (safety, NSSS, systems, plant layout)ManufactureCivil and erection workCommissioningLicensingProject management

A preliminary study indicates HTR-PM600’s economiccompetitiveness similar to a PWR of the same size in Chinesemarket

Thanks for your attention!