Introduction of loop operating system to improve the stability of continuous hydrogen production for the thermochemical water-splitting iodine-sulfur process

Tanaka, Nobuyuki; Takegami, Hiroaki; Noguchi, Hiroki; Kamiji, Yu; Myagmarjav, O.; Kubo, Shinji

International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 46(55), p.27891 - 27904, 2021/08

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2021.06.072

The thermochemical water-splitting iodine-sulfur (IS) process enables producing hydrogen. In a previous operation procedure, after the components of the unit operations were individually started, they were connected at the same time. However, it was challenging to stably interconnect the components. This study introduces a new loop operation, subdividing the process configuration into four sections before transferring the continuous operation. The proposed loop operation was validated analyzing the material and heat balances of each section. The calculated results showed that the material balances of respective loop sections were closed. The loop operation mode would transfer to the continuous operation by connect all sections. Regarding the switching of operation modes, the material and heat balance showed no or little difference, indicating that two operation modes could only be changed by switching the pipelines. Consequently, the loop sections could be individually operated to stabilize the IS process system, and the loop operation could be smoothly transferred to the continuous operation.

Development of a membrane reactor with a closed-end silica membrane for nuclear-heated hydrogen production

Myagmarjav, O.; Tanaka, Nobuyuki; Nomura, Mikihiro*; Noguchi, Hiroki; Imai, Yoshiyuki; Kamiji, Yu; Kubo, Shinji; Takegami, Hiroaki

Progress in Nuclear Energy, 137, p.103772_1 - 103772_7, 2021/07

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pnucene.2021.103772

High temperature gas-cooled reactors

Takeda, Tetsuaki*; Inagaki, Yoshiyuki; Aihara, Jun; Aoki, Takeshi; Fujiwara, Yusuke; Fukaya, Yuji; Goto, Minoru; Ho, H. Q.; Iigaki, Kazuhiko; Imai, Yoshiyuki; et al.

High Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactors; JSME Series in Thermal and Nuclear Power Generation, Vol.5, 464 Pages, 2021/02

https://doi.org/10.1016/C2018-0-05383-9

As a general overview of the research and development of a High Temperature Gas-cooled Reactor (HTGR) in JAEA, this book describes the achievements by the High Temperature Engineering Test Reactor (HTTR) on the designs, key component technologies such as fuel, reactor internals, high temperature components, etc., and operational experience such as rise-to-power tests, high temperature operation at 950C, safety demonstration tests, etc. In addition, based on the knowledge of the HTTR, the development of designs and component technologies such as high performance fuel, helium gas turbine and hydrogen production by IS process for commercial HTGRs are described. These results are very useful for the future development of HTGRs. This book is published as one of a series of technical books on fossil fuel and nuclear energy systems by the Power Energy Systems Division of the Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers.

Hydriodic iodide and iodine permeation characteristics of fluoropolymers as a lining material

Tanaka, Nobuyuki; Noguchi, Hiroki; Kamiji, Yu; Takegami, Hiroaki; Kubo, Shinji

International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 45(35), p.17557 - 17561, 2020/07

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2020.04.186

The thermochemical water-splitting iodine-sulfur (IS) process requires corrosion-resistant materials owing to usage of a mixture of HI-I-HO. Fluoropolymers, such as PTFE and PFA, are adaptable as lining materials for protecting plant components. However, there has been a concern: PTFE and PFA have the ability to permeate various permeants. From the viewpoint of corrosion, the permeation of HI and I should be evaluated to improve the integrity of the IS process. In this study, permeation tests on PTFE and PFA membranes were performed to measure the permeated fluxes of HI and I, and the effects of the operating conditions on them were investigated. The introduction of a permeability parameter could be successful for normalizing the permeated fluxes for a specific membrane thickness and a vapor pressure. Then, the empirical formula of the permeability was given as an Arrhenius-type equation to use as a plant design.

Reliability improvements of corrosion-resistant equipment for thermochemical water splitting hydrogen production iodine-sulfur process

Kamiji, Yu; Noguchi, Hiroki; Takegami, Hiroaki; Tanaka, Nobuyuki; Iwatsuki, Jin; Kasahara, Seiji; Kubo, Shinji

Nuclear Engineering and Design, 361, p.110573_1 - 110573_6, 2020/05

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nucengdes.2020.110573

JAEA has been conducting R&D on the thermochemical iodine-sulfur (IS) process for nuclear-powered hydrogen production. The IS process is one of the promising candidates of heat application of the high-temperature gas-cooled reactors. The glass-lined steel is one of the candidate materials which has both corrosion resistance and structural strength. This paper reveals technical matters to improve reliability of the glass-lined steel equipment. It found that the improved glass-lined steel showed soundness in the process environment from the results of stress analyses for the glass layer by FEM, tests for heat cycle, bending load and corrosion.

R&D status of hydrogen production test using IS process test facility made of industrial structural material in JAEA

Noguchi, Hiroki; Takegami, Hiroaki; Kamiji, Yu; Tanaka, Nobuyuki; Iwatsuki, Jin; Kasahara, Seiji; Kubo, Shinji

International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 44(25), p.12583 - 12592, 2019/05

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2018.11.121

JAEA has been conducting R&D on thermochemical water-splitting hydrogen production IS process to develop one of heat applications of high-temperature gas-cooled reactor. A test facility was constructed using corrosion-resistant industrial materials to verify integrity of the IS process components and to demonstrate continuous and stable hydrogen production. The performance of components installed in each section was confirmed. Subsequently, a trial operation of integration of the processing sections was successfully carried out for 8 hours with hydrogen production rate of approximately 10 NL/h. After that, hydrogen production operation was extended to 31 hours (approximately hydrogen production rate of 20 NL/h) by introducing a corrosion-resistance pump system with a developed shaft seal technology.

Current R&D status of thermochemical water splitting hydrogen production iodine-sulfur process in Japan Atomic Energy Agency, 2; Reliability improvements of corrosion-resistant equipment

Kamiji, Yu; Noguchi, Hiroki; Takegami, Hiroaki; Tanaka, Nobuyuki; Iwatsuki, Jin; Kasahara, Seiji; Kubo, Shinji

Proceedings of 9th International Topical Meeting on High Temperature Reactor Technology (HTR 2018) (USB Flash Drive), 7 Pages, 2018/10

Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) has been conducting R&D on the thermochemical iodine-sulfur (IS) process for nuclear-powered hydrogen production. The IS process is one of the promising candidates of heat application of the HTGR. JAEA achieved continuous hydrogen production for one week with a hydrogen production rate of 30 NL/h by using a test apparatus made of glass and fluororesin material. Subsequently, JAEA fabricated main chemical reactors made of industrial materials and confirmed their integrity in corrosive environments in the IS process. Based on the results, JAEA has constructed a 100 NL/h-H-scale test facility made of industrial materials; one of the important materials is the glass-lined steel for corrosion resistant components such as vessels, pipes and protective sheaths of sensors. This report will present technical matters to improve reliability of the glass-lined protective sheaths of thermocouple. In addition, results of quality confirmation will be presented, which are stress analyses for the glass layer by FEM, tests for heat cycle, bending load and corrosion.

Current R&D status of thermochemical water splitting iodine-sulfur process in Japan Atomic Energy Agency

Kasahara, Seiji; Iwatsuki, Jin; Takegami, Hiroaki; Tanaka, Nobuyuki; Noguchi, Hiroki; Kamiji, Yu; Onuki, Kaoru; Kubo, Shinji

International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 42(19), p.13477 - 13485, 2017/05

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2017.02.163

Current R&D on the thermochemical water splitting iodine-sulfur (IS) process in Japan Atomic Energy Agency is summarized. Reactors were fabricated with industrial materials and verified by test operations: a Bunsen reactor, a HSO decomposer, and a HI decomposer. Reactors of industrial materials showed corrosion stability. Demonstration of the test facility verified integrity of process components and stability of hydrogen production. An 8 hours continuous operation of the total IS process was performed in February 2016 with H production rate of 10 L/h.

IS process hydrogen production test for components and system made of industrial structural material, 2; HSO decomposition, HI distillation, and HI decomposition section

Noguchi, Hiroki; Takegami, Hiroaki; Kamiji, Yu; Tanaka, Nobuyuki; Iwatsuki, Jin; Kasahara, Seiji; Kubo, Shinji

Proceedings of 8th International Topical Meeting on High Temperature Reactor Technology (HTR 2016) (CD-ROM), p.1029 - 1038, 2016/11

JAEA has been conducting R&D on the IS process for nuclear-powered hydrogen production. We have constructed a 100 NL/h-H-scale test apparatus made of industrial materials. At first, we investigated performance of components in this apparatus. In this paper, the test results of HSO decomposition, HI distillation, and HI decomposition were shown. In the HSO section, O production rate is proportional to HSO feed rate and SO decomposition ratio was estimated about 80%. In HI distillation section, we confirmed to acquire a concentrated HI solution over azeotropic HI composition in the condenser. In HI decomposition section, H could be produced stably by HI decomposer and decomposition ratio was about 18%. The HSO decomposer, the HI distillation column, and the HI decomposer were workable. Based on the results added to that shown in Series I, we conducted a trial continuous operation and succeeded it for 8 hours.

Research and development on chemical reactors made of industrial structural materials and hydriodic acid concentration technique for thermochemical hydrogen production IS process

Kubo, Shinji; Iwatsuki, Jin; Takegami, Hiroaki; Kasahara, Seiji; Tanaka, Nobuyuki; Noguchi, Hiroki; Kamiji, Yu; Onuki, Kaoru

JAEA-Technology 2015-028, 32 Pages, 2015/10

JAEA-Technology-2015-028.pdf:23.69MB

JAEA has been conducting a study on IS process for thermochemical hydrogen production in order to develop massive hydrogen production technology for hydrogen society. Integrity of the chemical reactors and concentration technology of hydrogen iodide in HIx solution were studied. In the former study, the chemical reactors were trial-fabricated using industrial materials. A test of 30 times of thermal cycle test under circulating condition of the Bunsen reaction solution showed integrity of the Bunsen reactor made of fluororesin lined steel. Also, 100 hours of reaction tests showed integrity of the sulfuric acid decomposer made of silicon carbide and of the hydrogen iodide decomposer made of Hastelloy C-276. In the latter study, concerning electro-electrodialysis using cation-exchange membrane, sulfuric acid in the anolyte had little influence on the concentration performance. These results suggest the purification system of HIx solution can be simplified. Based on the Nernst-Planck equation and the Smoluchowski equation, proton transport number, water permeance, and IR drop of the cation exchange membrane were formulated. The derived equations enable quantitative estimation for the performance indexes of Nafion membrane and, also, of ETFE-St membranes made by radiation-induced graft polymerization method.