Peak power and heavy water production from nuclear electrolytic H2 and O2 in Canada

Abstract

Abstract A combined energy storage-heavy water production system is presented. Off-peak nuclear energy is stored in the form of electrolytic H 2 (and O 2 ) from which a large fraction of the deuterium has been transferred to water in a deuterium exchange catalyst column. The main features and advantages of the Combined Electrolysis Catalytic Exchange-Heavy Water Process (CECE-HWP) are discussed. Significant quantities of D 2 O could be produced economically at reasonable peak to base power cost ratios. Thirty to forty per cent of the primary electric energy should be available for peak energy via either gas-steam turbines or fuel cells.