Process flow sheet evaluation of a nuclear hydrogen steelmaking plant applying very high temperature reactors for efficient steel production with less CO emissions

Kasahara, Seiji  ; Inagaki, Yoshiyuki; Ogawa, Masuro

Nuclear hydrogen steelmaking (NHS) system was evaluated by flow sheet analysis using very high temperature reactors (VHTRs) and thermochemical hydrogen production IS process. Heat input and CO emissions including material production, material transportation, and power generation were evaluation criteria. Though total heat input to the NHS system was 130-142% of a conventional blast furnace steelmaking system, CO emissions were 13-21%. Pre-heating of hydrogen by coal combustion before blowing to a shaft furnace was effective to decrease heat input although CO emissions increased. Direct nuclear pre-heating was also effective without increase of CO emissions if close location of the nuclear reactor to the steelmaking plant was publicly accepted. Hydrogen production thermal efficiency had a significant influence on the heat input. Conceptual design of a plant unit of the NHS system producing steel of 1.47 10 t/y with 2 VHTRs of 600MW heat and one shaft furnace and electric arc furnace was proposed. This article is revised from a proceeding presented in HTR2012.