Evaluation and comparison of hydrogen production potential of the LIFE fusion reactor by using copper–chlorine (Cu–Cl), cobalt–chlorine (Co–Cl) and sulfur–iodine (S–I) cycles

Abstract

In this paper, the hydrogen production and neutronic analysis of the Laser Inertial Confinement Fusion-Fission Engine (LIFE) fusion reactor have been analyzed. The potential of hydrogen production from unit integrated of the reactor with three different hydrogen production methods which has copper-chlorine (Cu–Cl) cycle, cobalt-chlorine (Co–Cl) cycle and sulfur-iodine (S–I) cycle have been investigated. Neutronic performance analysis for various parameters was calculated statically by using Monte Carlo N-Particle Nuclear Code and determined optimum reactor operation conditions. The hydrogen production potential for all conditions was investigated as statically. And also, the production potential with determining optimum conditions was performed over operation plant. Tristructural isotropic (TRISO) coated thorium carbide (ThC) was used as fuel of LIFE fusion reactor. Natural lithium and FLiNaBe (LiF + NaF + BeF2) were used first and second coolant, respectively. In the statistical analysis, effects of ThC fuel ratio, 1st and 2nd coolant zone thicknesses were examined. As a consequence of the neutronic analysis, tritium breeding values and energy multiplication values (M) was attained and according to M values, hydrogen production amount, required thermal power and thermal power ratios were acquired. Among the used hydrogen production methods, Cu–Cl cycle produced the highest hydrogen amount, while the Co–Cl cycle has the lowest H2 amount. At the end of the reactor operation time for determining optimum conditions, the produced hydrogen amounts are 9.00, 4.80 and 7.36 kg/s for Cu–Cl, Co–Cl and S–I cycles, respectively.