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THE CONCEPT OF NUCLEAR HYDROGEN PRODUCTION BASED ON MHR-T REACTOR
Table 1: Main technical-economic parameters
Parameter
Value*
1. Reactor type Modular helium high-temperature
reactor with graphite moderator
2. Power conversion cycle Gas-turbine, direct, recuperative, with
intermediate cooling
3. Technological process options Steam methane reforming
(short-term perspective);
High-temperature
water electrolysis
(long-term perspective)
4. NPP thermal power, MW 4 × 600
5. Thermal power for hydrogen production by steam methane reforming/
high-temperature water electrolysis, MW
4 × 160/4 × 211
6. Helium temperature at the reactor core inlet in case of: steam methane
reforming/ high-temperature water electrolysis, °С
950
7. Electric energy production efficiency (gross),% 47
8. Energy consumption for house loads, MW:
– NPP for steam methane reforming/ high-temperature water electrolysis 4 × 10/4 × 15
– steam methane reforming/ high-temperature water electrolysis 4 × 2.5/4 × 5
9. Average fuel rating of the reactor core, MW/m 3 , maximum 6.5
10. Reactor core fuel:
– type Based on UO 2 w/multi-layer coatings
– enrichment by 235 U, %, maximum 20
– average burn-up, MW·day/kg 125
– fuel cycle, eff. days, minimum 900
– number of refuellings 3
11. Reactor core refuelling With the shutdown reactor
12. Average refuelling duration, days, maximum 35
13. MHR-T basic operation mode 100% N nom
14. Average (over service period) thermal power utilisation factor, minimum 0.8
15. Design service life, years 60
16. Hydrogen production efficiency, t/h (m 3 /h), minimum:
– steam methane reforming 4 × 12.5 (138.75⋅10 3 )
– high-temperature water electrolysis 4 × 6.76 (75⋅10 3 )
* Parameters may be refined during design (depending on design option).
The MHR-T energy-technological complex is designed in accordance with federal nuclear power
rules and regulations, as well as other regulatory documents and Russian state standards applied in
nuclear power engineering and chemical industry. The MHR-T complex includes an energy sector and
chemical-technological sector (hydrogen production sector), as well as infrastructure supporting their
operation.
Energy sector represents a four-module NPP including four reactor plants (modules), as well as NPP
systems and facilities supporting operation of these reactor plants.
Chemical-technological sector includes hydrogen production process lines, as well as systems and
facilities supporting their operation.
Process and organisational solutions of design developments shall ensure maximum independence
of MHR-T modules during operation and in all possible accidents with radiation emission/release. Links
between MHR-T modules and between these modules and process lines and overall infrastructure
(control, support and auxiliary systems) shall be determined at the design stage.
The MHR-T energy-technological complex (Kostin, 2005; Mitenkov, 2004; Ponomarev-Stepnoi, 1983,
2008; Stolyarevsky, 1988) produces low-cost electric energy using high-temperature gas technology
and hydrogen produced as a result of one of the above processes.
NUCLEAR PRODUCTION OF HYDROGEN – © OECD/NEA 2010 71