GTHTR300; A Nuclear power plant design with 50% generating efficiency

Sato, Hiroyuki  ; Yan, X. ; Tachibana, Yukio ; Kunitomi, Kazuhiko 

Three major improvements have since been made to further increase efficiency for the GTHTR300. First, the cycle parameters are upgraded by utilizing the newly-acquired design data including those from component tests. Next, the core design is optimized to raise the reactor outlet coolant temperature from the baseline of 850C to the level of 950C demonstrated on the long-term test reactor operation. Finally, an advanced type of turbine blade material that has only recently entered in commercial service in aircraft engine is found to be useable for this design to realize a turbine inlet temperature of 950C without requiring blade cooling. These design improvements result in a nearly 5% gain in overall plant efficiency and enable the GTHTR300 to break the 50% efficiency barrier of nuclear plant while using only the existing technologies.