Use of the Modular Helium Reactor for HydrogenProduction

World Nuclear Association Annual Symposium 2003

能源学;武器工业

PID  :  36651

来源: CEUR

【 摘 要 】

A significant “Hydrogen Economy” is predicted that will reduce our dependence on petroleum imports and reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions [1]. Hydrogen is an environmentally attractive fuel that has the potential to displace fossil fuels, but contemporary hydrogen production is primarily based on fossil fuels. This industry produces hydrogen for use in production of fertilizers, in oil refineries to lighten heavy crude oils and produce clearer-burning fuels, and for other industrial uses, primarily by steam reformation of methane. In the USA, this hydrogen industry produces 11 million tonnes of hydrogen a year with a thermal energy equivalent of 48 GWt. In so doing, it consumes 5% of the US natural gas usage and releases 74 million tonnes of CO2. Transition to a Hydrogen Economy will require significant expansion in the production and use of hydrogen. Use of hydrogen for all our transportation energy needs would require a factor of 18 more hydrogen than currently used. Use of hydrogen for all our non-electric energy needs would require a factor of 40 increase. Clearly, new sources of hydrogen will be needed. Hydrogen produced from water using nuclear energy can be one of the sources, and would avoid use of fossil fuels and greenhouse gas emissions. [First Paragraph]