Title: Coupling a hydrogen production process to a nuclear reactor

Authors: Pascal Anzieu, Patrick Aujollet, Dominique Barbier, Anne Bassi, Frederic Bertrand, Alain Le Duigou, Jean Leybros, Gilles Rodriguez

Addresses: CEA/Saclay, DEN/DDIN, 91191 Gif Sur Yvette Cedex, France. ' CEA/Cadarache, DER/SESI, 13108 St Paul Lez Durance Cedex, France. ' CEA/Cadarache, DER/SESI, 13108 St Paul Lez Durance Cedex, France. ' CEA/Cadarache, DER/SESI, 13108 St Paul Lez Durance Cedex, France. ' CEA/Cadarache, DER/SESI, 13108 St Paul Lez Durance Cedex, France. ' CEA/Saclay, DPC/SCP, 91191 Gif Sur Yvette Cedex, France. ' CEA/Valrho, DTEC/STCF, BP 17171, 30207 Bagnols Sur Ceze Cedex, France. ' CEA/Cadarache, DTN/STPA, 13108 St Paul Lez Durance Cedex, France

Abstract: Work is currently underway to define a pre-conceptual design of a hydrogen production plant. The reference case is a VHTR dedicated to hydrogen production using the sulphur-iodine process. The chemical part of the plant is based on a very detailed flow-sheet where all components are listed. Considering the volume and flow-rates of the circulating products, a detailed image of the chemical plant is drawn with several shops in parallel. A coupling circuit using gases was also studied with two intermediate heat exchangers at very high temperature. A specific heat transfer circuit is added inside the chemical part to distribute heat at the correct temperature. Optimisation of this circuit should lead to an increase in the overall efficiency of the process. Finally a methodology is proposed for the safety of the hydrogen production plant.

Keywords: hydrogen production plants; nuclear energy; safety; water splitting; nuclear power; nuclear hydrogen; heat transfer; coupling circuits; heat exchangers.

DOI: 10.1504/IJNHPA.2008.019449

International Journal of Nuclear Hydrogen Production and Applications, 2008 Vol.1 No.3, pp.207 - 218

Published online: 11 Jul 2008 *

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