Operation, test, research and development of the High Temperature Engineering Test Reactor (HTTR) (FY2009)

Department of HTTR

The High Temperature Engineering Test Reactor (HTTR) constructed at the Oarai Research and Development Center of the Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) is the first high-temperature gas-cooled reactor (HTGR) in Japan. The HTTR is a graphite-moderated and helium gas-cooled reactor with 30 MW of thermal power. In fiscal year 2009, the HTTR carried out 50 days operation with high temperature test operation mode. In the operation, many kinds of data such as core burnup characteristics, helium purification performance, performance of high temperature components, data related to integrity of core components, etc. have been accumulated. Moreover, it is demonstrated that HTGRs could be utilized as a heat source for thermo-chemical hydrogen production system. This report summarizes activities and results of HTTR operation, maintenance, and several R&Ds, which were carried out in the fiscal year 2009.