A study of hydrogen production by using SMR, S-I and HTE methods in a PACER fusion concept based on thorium molten salt fuel

Abstract

In this paper, the potential of hydrogen production and neutronic performance of the PACER fusion reactor using various vol. % molten salt ratios have been performed. Firstly, the neutronic analysis in PACER fusion reactor using molten salt fuels, such as volumetrically Mode ①: 25 % molten salt (LiF + ThF4) + 75 % void, Mode ②: 50 % molten salt (LiF + ThF4) + 50 % void, have been investigated and compared over plant operation. Secondly, the hydrogen production potential of PACER fusion concept by using steam methane reforming (SMR), sulfur-iodine (S-I) cycled thermochemical method and high temperature electrolysis (HTE) have been examined. Neutronic analysis was assessed with MCNP code, statically. At the same time, ThF4 fuel ratios mixed with LiF in each mode have been examined for 5 to 25 mol.%. At the end of the neutronic analysis, tritium breeding ratio (TBR) and energy multiplication factor (M) were obtained. Depending on M values, hydrogen production potential of the reactor was investigated by calculating required total power (Phpf), the thermal power fraction (1- ψ) and the amount of hydrogen (kg/s). As a result of all analysis, it was seen that the hydrogen (kg/s) can be produced with the hydrogen production unit integrated PACER with SMR, S-I and HTE process. The highest hydrogen amount was obtained with SMR + WGS + MCS method, while the lowest value was obtained S-I method.