Updates on promising thermochemical cycles for clean hydrogen production using nuclear energy

Abstract

Hydrogen is having a worldwide momentum as a clean versatile energy solution and this is the time for nuclear hydrogen production technologies to play its role in securing a clean and affordable energy future. For over four decades, several nations have been investigating the potential of tens of thermochemical cycles for efficient and sustainable hydrogen production. These cycles require high quality heat (i.e. heat at high temperatures) solely or along with electric power (i.e. hybrid thermochemical cycles) both of which can be provided by nuclear energy. This paper delivers a highlight on the potential of nuclear energy for hydrogen production. It also discusses the main features of five of the promising thermochemical cycles that are considered for integration with nuclear power plants. Furthermore, the paper highlights the current status and advances of R&D in these thermochemical cycles as well as cost estimation and the main safety consideration for large-scale nuclear hydrogen production using different nuclear-driver technologies.