Nuclear Production of Hydrogen, Fourth Information Exchange ...

PRESENT STATUS OF HTGR AND HYDROGEN PRODUCTION DEVELOPMENT IN JAEA
On the supply side, utmost usage of renewable energy and aggressive adoption of nuclear energy
are required to meet the demand. In 2100, approximately 10% (5% in 2005) of the primary energy
supply will come from renewable energy, about 60% (10% in 2005) from nuclear energy, and around
30% (85% in 2005) from fossil fuels. Nuclear energy is used not only to generate electricity (light water,
fast-breeder, and nuclear fusion reactors) but also to produce hydrogen (HTGR) as shown in Figure 13.
Hydrogen produced by the HTGR hydrogen production system is used for automobile fuel, reducing
agents used in the steel industry, private power generation and steam generation in chemical plants.
GWt
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0
Figure 13: Application of HTGR
Hydrogen (substitution of cokes)
Hydrogen (substitution of naphtha)
水 Hydrogen 素 製 造 (コークス (for 代 FCV) 替 ) 水 素 製 造 (ナフサ 代 替 )
水 Private 素 製 造 ( 燃 power 料 電 池 generation
車 ) 自 家 発 電
蒸 Steam 気 供 給 generation
2030 2040 2050 2060 2070 2080 2090 2100
Year 西 暦 年
From the viewpoint of heat applications, the cascade energy production system based on HTGR
whose outlet coolant temperature is up to 950°C can be utilised for one or any combination of such
heat applications as hydrogen production, electric power generation, district heating, seawater
desalination, etc. The attainable heat utilisation efficiency of this system can approach a level of 80%.
Being an economical and versatile heat source, the HTGR offers the potential to create new industries
and stimulate economical development in regions and local communities. The number of HTGR will
be 120 in 2100 based on 600 MWt/reactor as shown in Figure 14. The scale to install is about 2.5 reactors
in each prefecture in Japan. HTGR is suitable to be installed near areas of demand.
Figure 14: Capacity of multi-purpose HTGR
GWt
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Capacity factor: 85%
72GWt
120 reactors
2030 2040 2050 2060 2070 2080 2090 2100
Year
Figure 15 shows the reduction of CO 2 emission. Carbon dioxide emissions in 2050 will be
approximately 50% and in 2100 will have fallen to only 10% of the current level. Figure 16 shows the
contribution of technologies to the reduction of CO 2 emission. In 2100, contribution of nuclear energy
to power generation will be 38% and contribution of HTGR to industry and transport will be 13%. Both
CO 2 emission reduction and stable energy supplies, a low carbon society can be achieved by applying
JAEA’s research outcomes and technologies in development.
56 NUCLEAR PRODUCTION OF HYDROGEN – © OECD/NEA 2010