Potential of hybridisation of the thermochemical hybrid-sulphur cycle for the production of hydrogen by using nuclear and solar energy in the same plant. (1st January 2011)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Monnerie, Nathalie; Schmitz, Mark; Roeb, Martin; Quantius, Dominik; Graf, Daniela; Sattler, Christian; de Lorenzo, Daniel
• Is Part Of: International journal of nuclear hydrogen production and applications. Volume 2:Number 3(2011)
• Page Start: 178
• Page End: 201
• Publication Date: 2011-01-01
• Subjects: thermochemical cycle -- sulphur -- hybrid sulphur cycle -- solar -- economics -- sulphur-iodine cycle -- sulphuric acid -- process modelling; Hydrogen -- Periodicals; Hydrogen industry -- Periodicals; Nuclear industry -- Periodicals; 665.81
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1743-4939

Abstract

The search for a sustainable, CO2 -free massive hydrogen production route is a strong need, if one takes into account the world-wide increasing energy demand, the deterioration of fossil fuel reserves and in particular the increasing CO2 concentration leading to global warming. Thermo-chemical cycles for water splitting are considered as a promising alternative of emission-free routes of massive hydrogen production – with potentially higher efficiencies and lower costs compared to alkaline electrolysis of water. The hybrid-sulphur cycle was chosen as one of the most promising cycles from the 'sulphur family' of processes. Different process schemes using concentrated sunlight or nuclear generated heat or a combination of both have been elaborated and analysed by a comparative techno-economic study with regard to their potential of a large-scale hydrogen production. Options for a hybridisation of the energy supply between solar and nuclear have been also investigated, particular focused on the coupling of concentrated solar radiation into a round-the-clock operated process. Process design and simulation, industrial scale-up assessments including safety analysis and cost evaluations were performed to analyse reliability and potential of those process concepts.