Very High Temperature Reactor

A candidate for the U.S. Department of Energy Next Generation Nuclear Plant (NGNP), the Very-High-Temperature Reactor (VHTR) is a graphite-moderated, helium-cooled reactor with a once-through uranium fuel cycle. Its primary purpose is to provide high-temperature helium gas of 850 to 1000 degrees Celsius to a variety of chemical engineering systems that require substantial energy, such as hydrogen generation or petrochemical production. Electrical power generation is an optional and additional goal, but it also enables applications such as hydrogen production or process heat for the petrochemical industry or others.

It is a relatively small reactor, seen as a nuclear-powered alternative to heating plants now located at industrial plants. Hydrogen generation is one of the major objectives, with hydrogen being seen as a petroleum alternative. Competitive reactors include the uranium hydride reactor by Hyperion Power Generation and the Chinese 200 MW HTR-PB.