Thermodynamic modeling of a nuclear energy based integrated system for hydrogen production and liquefaction

Abstract

A nuclear based integrated system for hydrogen production and liquefaction with a newly developed four-step magnesium–chlorine cycle is proposed. The system uses nuclear energy to supply heat for the Rankine cycle and Mg–Cl cycle, where the power produced by the Rankine cycle is used to run the electrolysis steps of the Mg–Cl cycle and liquefaction cycle compressors. The four-step Mg–Cl cycle is specifically designed to decrease the electrical work consumption of the cycle by capturing HCl in dry form with an additional step to conventional three-step cycle. A performance assessment study is undertaken based on energy and exergy analysis of the subsystems, and total energy and exergy efficiencies of the plant are found to be 18.6%, and 31.35%. The comparisons of the subsystem efficiencies and total exergy destructions show that highest irreversibility ratio belongs to the Mg–Cl cycle by 41%, respectively.