ADVANCED HIGH-TEMPERATURE REACTOR: MOLTEN SALT COOLANT AND GRAPHITE FUEL

An Advanced High-Temperature Reactor (AHTR) to produce very high temperature heat is proposed for (1) production of hydrogen (H ) by thermochemical methods and (2) efficient production of electricity by 2 advanced energy conversion technologies. The AHTR uses a coated-particle graphite fuel similar to that planned for use in modular high-temperature gas-cooled reactors (MHTGRs). A molten salt coolant is used to allow for operation at atmospheric-pressure and to increase the operating temperatures. The coolant characteristics provide unique safety and operational advantages when operating at very high temperatures.