Physics features of the HTR for process heat

The concept of the pebble bed reactor and of the fuel elements allow flexible adaption to various requirements of the reactor application. Beyond electricity it opens the use of the nuclear power in the market of thermal and chemical energy. The inert and equalizing response of the reactor in accidental situations makes possible the location of the reactor in the vicinity of the factories and living areas which use the power. Major flexibility is given when composing a larger power plant out of smaller reactor units in a modular mode. The application of the thorium fuel cycle with recyling of the bred uranium allows careful protection of the natural uranium resources. These characteristics make the pebble bed reactor an attractive concept for the advanced utilization of the nuclear power in the world.