The role and place of gas-cooled reactors in the structure of nuclear power provision

The possibilities are considered of using high-temperature gas-cooled reactors to generate heat with various temperature potentials for supplying energy to industrial production, supplying heat, and generating electrical power. Brief information is given on the characteristics and design of high-temperature gas-cooled reactor schemes developed in Russia and also on the GT-MHR project being developed as part of international cooperation. An account is given of research on high-temperature gas-cooled reactors for the purposes of power technology and the generation of electrical power. The basic criteria and safety principles are described. An estimate is made of the possible fraction of high-temperature gas-cooled reactors in the structure of power provision in Russia, taking account of the specific consumption of natural uranium and the accumulation of radioactive waste if there is no reprocessing of the depleted fuel.