Passive electrochemical hydrogen recombiner for hydrogen safety systems: prospects

• Published in: Nuclear science and techniques Vol. 34; no. 6; pp. 115 - 124
• Main Authors: Avdeenkov, A. V., Bessarabov, D. G., Zaryugin, D. G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Singapore Springer Nature Singapore 01.06.2023; HySA Center,Faculty of Engineering,North-West University,Potchefstroom 2520,South Africa%HySA Center,Faculty of Engineering,North-West University,Potchefstroom 2520,South Africa%State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom,24 Bolshaya Ordynka Str.,Moscow,Russia 119017; All Russian Research Institute for Nuclear Power Plants Operation JSC,25 Ferganskaya Str.,Moscow,Russia 109507
• Subjects: Beam Physics; Nuclear Energy; Particle Acceleration and Detection; Particle and Nuclear Physics; Physics; Physics and Astronomy; Catalytic ignition; Hydrogen fuel cell; Recombiner; Membrane electrode assembly; Hydrogen explosion safety
• DOI: 10.1007/s41365-023-01245-9
• ISSN: 1001-8042

This paper presents the concept of a passive electrochemical hydrogen recombiner (PEHR). The reaction energy of the recombination of hydrogen and oxygen is used as a source of electrical energy according to the operating principle for hydrogen fuel cells to establish forced circulation of the hydrogen mixture as an alternative to natural circulation (as is not utilized in conventional passive autocatalytic hydrogen recombiners currently used in nuclear power plants (NPPs)). The proposed concept of applying the physical operation principles of a PEHR based on a fuel cell simultaneously increases both productivity in terms of recombined hydrogen and the concentration threshold of flameless operation (the ‘ignition’ limit). Thus, it is possible to reliably ensure the hydrogen explosion safety of NPPs under all conditions, including beyond-design accidents. An experimental setup was assembled to test a laboratory sample of a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) at various hydrogen concentrations near the catalytic surfaces of the electrodes, and the corresponding current–voltage characteristics were recorded. The simplest MEA based on the Advent P1100W PBI membrane demonstrated stable performance (delivery of electrical power) over a wide range of hydrogen concentrations.