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Methods and systems for the production of hydrogen

Patent ·
OSTI ID:1039763

Methods and systems are disclosed for the production of hydrogen and the use of high-temperature heat sources in energy conversion. In one embodiment, a primary loop may include a nuclear reactor utilizing a molten salt or helium as a coolant. The nuclear reactor may provide heat energy to a power generation loop for production of electrical energy. For example, a supercritical carbon dioxide fluid may be heated by the nuclear reactor via the molten salt and then expanded in a turbine to drive a generator. An intermediate heat exchange loop may also be thermally coupled with the primary loop and provide heat energy to one or more hydrogen production facilities. A portion of the hydrogen produced by the hydrogen production facility may be diverted to a combustor to elevate the temperature of water being split into hydrogen and oxygen by the hydrogen production facility.

Research Organization:
Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
DOE Contract Number:
AC07-05ID14517
Assignee:
Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC (Idaho Falls, ID)
Patent Number(s):
8,132,410
Application Number:
11/958,142
OSTI ID:
1039763
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

References (3)

NERI Quarterly Progress Report -- April 1 - June 30, 2005 -- Development of a Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Brayton Cycle: Improving PBR Efficiency and Testing Material Compatibility report July 2005
A Process Model for the Production of Hydrogen Using High Temperature Electrolysis
  • McKellar, Michael G.; Harvego, Edwin A.; Richards, Matt
  • 14th International Conference on Nuclear Engineering, Volume 3: Structural Integrity; Nuclear Engineering Advances; Next Generation Systems; Near Term Deployment and Promotion of Nuclear Energy https://doi.org/10.1115/ICONE14-89694
conference September 2008
Thermal Hydraulic Analyses for Coupling high Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactor to Hydrogen Plant conference January 2006