Nuclear Production of Hydrogen, Fourth Information Exchange ...

PROHYTEC, THE FRENCH INDUSTRIAL PLATFORM FOR MASSIVE HYDROGEN PRODUCTION
In this schedule, the performance (or acceptability) testing are planned in the second semester of
2012 and could go on up to the first semester of 2013. Thus, this schedule should match the objective
of first tests of H 2 production by 2013.
In parallel to these developments, the capability (modularity) of PROHYTEC to test HTSE at a
higher thermal power has to be assessed in an objective of performance testing by 2015. Typically,
calculations have shown that the electrical power which could be injected in the HTSE is about
2.5 MW when the exchange thermal power at the steam generator level is about 0.8 MW. When the
available power will be about 7.8 MW the thermal power could be of 1.9 MW and the electrical power
injected in the HTSE of about 5.9 MW. This increase in power could match the objective of 2015 but is
still to be defined.
On another hand, HYCYCLES will end in 2011. Depending on its results it could be of interest to
test the sulphuric acid decomposer at high power. This could be performed on PROHYTEC provided
that an intermediate helium loop at high temperature will be implemented. The schedule of such
tests is still to be set up.
Concluding remarks
The PROHYTEC platform is one of the 1-10 MW demonstration scale platforms required in the H 2
roadmaps in order to match the needs in energy of certain markets (refinery, petrochemicals,
transportation…). In the European roadmaps, these demonstration tests should be performed by 2015
in order to scale-up industrial processes by 2020. By 2013 PROHYTEC will be capable to validate the
industrial feasibility of H 2 production by HTSE at a 1 thermal MW scale (at the steam generator level)
corresponding to a HTSE electrical power ranging from a few hundreds of kW (say 500 kW) to about
2 MW. Beyond 2013, the power of the heat source (and then the HTSE) could be increased up to a few
MW. In parallel, depending on the results of HYCYCLES some particular components of sulphur-based
thermochemical cycles could also be tested on PROHYTEC provided that some adaptation was made.
PROHYTEC aims at being an area where academic discussions and industrial interests could meet
by promoting collaborative projects with international stakeholders. Thus PROHYTEC is a real
opportunity to participate in the emergence of an energy industry which will preserve the environment
and the climate.
References
European Commission (2007), Innovative High Temperature Production Routes for H 2 Production – Co-ordinated
Action (INNOHYP CA), Final Report, Contract no. 513550, April.
Poitou, S., et al. (2008), “Development Program of the SO 3 Decomposer as a Key Component of the
Sulphur Base Thermochemical Cycles: New Steps Towards Feasibility Demonstration”, 17 th World
Hydrogen Energy Conference, Brisbane, Australia, 15-19 June.
Yvon, P., P. Carles, F. Le Naour (2010), “French Research Strategy to Use Nuclear Reactors for Hydrogen
Production”, these proceedings.
332 NUCLEAR PRODUCTION OF HYDROGEN – © OECD/NEA 2010