High-Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactor (HTGR) Workshop

Background and objectives

The global interest in the licensing of new and innovative reactors, particularly the HTGR-type, has seen a significant rise. While regulatory processes may vary among countries, there is a potential for a collective understanding of the technical aspects associated with these novel reactor designs. MDEP, a groundbreaking multinational initiative, has played a crucial role in leveraging the resources and expertise of national regulators to assess new reactor designs. We are considering making MDEP a focal point for discussing current challenges and regulatory expectations related to HTGR technology, with close engagement with HTGR developers to better comprehend the challenges they face.

The HTGR workshop represents a preliminary step toward the establishment of a dedicated working group focused on HTGR within MDEP. This event offers a unique opportunity to discuss with the audience and explore key challenges encountered during the safety assessment of any HTGR design. It will help set priorities for future international cooperation.

The three-day workshop will include sessions on:

• Probabilistic Safety Assessment (PSA) first-of-a-kind (FOAK) HTGR
• Fuel safety
• Research needs relevant to HTGR
• Verification and validation (V&V) computer benchmarking for HTGRs
• Defense in depth (DiD) principles applicability to HTGR
• Materials selection for HTGR reactor and primary and secondary circuit, strength and lifespan of selected materials, considering the elevated temperatures of HTGR and taking into account the neutron flux (fluence)
• Conclusions

Programme

Presentations

Session 1

• Verification and validation (V&V) computer benchmarking for HTGRs
• Computer codes for HTGR verification and validation

Session 2

• Fuel safety requirements: HTGR

Session 3

• R&D for Design Substantiation of a Nuclear Process and Power Station with HTGR

Session 4

• Application of Probabilistic Safety Assessment (PSA) in high-temperature reactors

Session 5

• Defence in Depth (DiD) Principle for the HTGR

Session 6

• Investigation of material selection and performance for Gas-cooled micro-reactor pressure vessel (RPV)

Session 7

• GIF VHTR safety design criteria
• Existing regulatory framework for addressing the specific safety requirements of HTGR

Conclusions

Participation

Participation was free of charge and open to:

• industry representatives;
• international organisations and associations;
• countries' nuclear regulatory organisations and their technical support organisations.

Language

All presentations and discussions were conducted in English.

Contact and registration

For additional information, contact the MDEP Technical Secretariat.

Last reviewed: 05 April 2024