Configuration and technology implications of potential nuclear hydrogen system applications.

Abstract

SummaryIntroduction -Nuclear-Generated Hydrogen Nuclear technologies have important distinctions and potential advantages for large-scale generation of hydrogen for U.S. energy services. Nuclear hydrogen requires no imported fossil fuels, results in lower greenhouse-gas emissions and other pollutants, lends itself to large-scale production, and is sustainable. The technical uncertainties in nuclear hydrogen processes and the reactor technologies needed to enable these processes, as well waste, proliferation, and economic issues must be successfully addressed before nuclear energy can be a major contributor to the nation's energy future. In order to address technical issues in the time frame needed to provide optimized hydrogen production choices, the Nuclear Hydrogen Initiative (NHI) must examine a wide range of new technologies, make the best use of research funding, and make early decisions on which technology options to pursue. For these reasons, it is important that system integration studies be performed to help guide the decisions made in the NHI.In framing the scope of system integration analyses, there is a hierarchy of questions that should be addressed:• What hydrogen markets will exist and what are their characteristics?• Which markets are most consistent with nuclear hydrogen ?• What nuclear power and production process configurations are optimal?• What requirements are placed on the nuclear hydrogen system? Study ObjectivesThe intent of the NHI system studies is to gain a better understanding of nuclear power's potential role in a hydrogen economy and what hydrogen production technologies show the most promise. This work couples with system studies sponsored by DOE-EE and other agencies that provide a basis for evaluating and selecting future hydrogen production technologies. This assessment includes identifying commercial hydrogen applications and their requirements, comparing the characteristics of nuclear hydrogen systems to those market requirements, evaluating nuclear hydrogen configuration options within a given market, and identifying the key drivers and thresholds for market viability of nuclear hydrogen options. Nuclear Energy for Hydrogen ProductionDifferent methods for hydrogen production have different characteristics. For nuclear-generated hydrogen those characteristics include (1) economics that favor large-scale centralized production of hydrogen, (2) the co-production of oxygen as a byproduct, and (3) the availability Configuration and Technology Implications of Page ii Potential Nuclear Hydrogen System Applications Summary July 31, 2005 of low-cost heat. Hydrogen production technologies that use renewable energy generally involve smaller scale and dispersed production facilities.Each existing and potential market for hydrogen also has distinct characteristics that will favor particular methods of hydrogen production-even if each technology produces hydrogen at similar production costs. The size, location, and hydrogen product requirements will determine whether a production method w...

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