The entire GT-MHR power plant is essentially contained in two interconnected pressure vessels enclosed within a below-ground concrete containment structure. One vessel contains the reactor system and is based on the steam-cycle MHR which was developed as part of the U.S. Department of Energy's Modular High Temperature Gas-cooled Reactor program.
The second vessel contains the entire power conversion system. The turbo-machine consists of a generator, turbine and two compressor sections mounted on a single shaft rotating on magnetic bearings. The active magnetic bearings control shaft stability while eliminating the need for lubricants within the primary system. The vessel also contains three compact heat exchangers. The most important of these is a 95% effective recuperator, which recovers turbine exhaust heat and boosts plant efficiency from 34% to 48%.
As an added benefit, the GT-MHR also has the potential to consume weapons-grade or reactor-grade plutonium as fuel to provide electrical energy.
HIGH
TEMPERATURES MEAN
HIGH THERMAL EFFICIENCY
SCHEMATIC FLOW DIAGRAM