Recent Canadian advances in the thermochemical Cu-Cl cycle for nuclear hydrogen production

Abstract

This paper presents recent Canadian advances in nuclear-based production of hydrogen with the thermochemical copper-chlorine (Cu-Cl) cycle. Current collaboration between UOIT, Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, Argonne National Laboratory and partner institutions is focusing on enabling technologies for the Cu-Cl cycle, through the Generation IV International Forum. This paper presents the recent advances in the development of individual reactor designs, thermal efficiency, process developments, corrosion resistant materials and linkage between nuclear and hydrogen plants. The paper provides an overview of latest advances by a Canadian consortium that is collaborating on equipment scale-up for the Cu-Cl cycle.