HYBRID SULFUR CYCLE FLOWSHEETS FOR HYDROGEN PRODUCTION USING HIGH-TEMPERATURE GAS-COOLED REACTORS

Journal Article · Wed Jul 06 04:00:00 EDT 2011 · International Jouyrnal of Hydrogen Energy

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2011.07.033· OSTI ID:1020553

Gorensek, M

Two hybrid sulfur (HyS) cycle process flowsheets intended for use with high-temperature gas-cooled reactors (HTGRs) are presented. The flowsheets were developed for the Next Generation Nuclear Plant (NGNP) program, and couple a proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzer for the SO2-depolarized electrolysis step with a silicon carbide bayonet reactor for the high-temperature decomposition step. One presumes an HTGR reactor outlet temperature (ROT) of 950 C, the other 750 C. Performance was improved (over earlier flowsheets) by assuming that use of a more acid-tolerant PEM, like acid-doped poly[2,2'-(m-phenylene)-5,5'-bibenzimidazole] (PBI), instead of Nafion{reg_sign}, would allow higher anolyte acid concentrations. Lower ROT was accommodated by adding a direct contact exchange/quench column upstream from the bayonet reactor and dropping the decomposition pressure. Aspen Plus was used to develop material and energy balances. A net thermal efficiency of 44.0% to 47.6%, higher heating value basis is projected for the 950 C case, dropping to 39.9% for the 750 C case.

• Research Organization: SRS
• Sponsoring Organization: DOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC09-08SR22470
• OSTI ID: 1020553
• Report Number(s): SRNL-STI-2011-00413
• Journal Information: International Jouyrnal of Hydrogen Energy, Journal Name: International Jouyrnal of Hydrogen Energy; ISSN 0360-3199
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

08 HYDROGEN
ELECTROLYSIS
ENERGY BALANCE
FLOWSHEETS
HEATING
HYDROGEN PRODUCTION
MEMBRANES
PERFORMANCE
PROTONS
SILICON CARBIDES
SULFUR
SULFUR CYCLE
THERMAL EFFICIENCY