A System design study of a fast breeder reactor hydrogen production plant using thermochemical and electrolytic hybrid process

Chikazawa, Yoshitaka; Nakagiri, Toshio; Konomura, Mamoru; Uchida, Shoji*; Tsuchiyama, Yoshihiko*

Nuclear Technology, 155(3), p.340 - 349, 2006/09

https://doi.org/10.13182/NT06-A3766

Hydrogen production with a fast breeder reactor is attractive as a long term energy source with nuclear fuel breeding. The thermochemical and electrolytic hybrid process is one of the hydrogen production methods using sulfuric acid cycle with the maximum temperature 500C which can be supplied by a sodium cooled fast breeder reactor. In this study, a hydrogen production plant with the thermochemical and electrolytic hybrid process has been designed and the hydrogen production efficiency has been evaluated. In the present concept, components in hydrogen production system are designed to be made of steels such as high Si cast iron which has good toughness against sulfuric acid. High hydrogen production efficiency of 44% (high heating value) is achieved assuming development of high efficiency electrolysis.