A cooling system for the secondary helium loop in VHTR-based SI hydrogen production facilities

• Published in: International journal of hydrogen energy Vol. 38; no. 14; pp. 6182 - 6189
• Main Authors: Shin, Youngjoon, Chang, Jiwoon, Lee, Taehoon, Lee, Kiyoung, Kim, Yongwan
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 10.05.2013; Elsevier
• Subjects: Alternative fuels. Production and utilization; Applied sciences; Cooling system; Coupling system; Energy; Exact sciences and technology; Fuels; Hydrogen; Hydrogen production; Intermediate heat exchanger; Sulfur–iodine thermochemical process; Very high temperature gas-cooled nuclear reactor; Intermediate heat exchanger; Coupling system; Very high temperature gas-cooled nuclear reactor; Hydrogen production; Sulfur–iodine thermochemical process; Cooling system; Hydrogen; Sulfur-iodine thermochemical process; High temperature; Helium; Nuclear reactor; Heat exchanger; Sulfur; Iodine
• ISSN: 0360-3199; 1879-3487
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2012.12.121

Nuclear hydrogen production facilities consist of a very high temperature gas-cooled nuclear reactor (VHTR) system, intermediate heat exchanger (IHX) system, and a sulfur–iodine (SI) thermochemical process. This study focuses on the coupling system between the IHX system and SI thermochemical process. To prevent the propagation of the thermal disturbance owing to the abnormal operation of the SI process components from the IHX system to the VHTR system, a cooling system for the secondary helium of the IHX is required. In this paper, a conceptual flow diagram of the coupling system has been proposed. The temperature fluctuation of the secondary helium owing to the abnormal operation of the SI process was then calculated based on the proposed coupling system model. Finally, the conceptual design of the cooling system for the secondary helium of the IHX with a steam generator and forced-draft air-cooled heat exchanger to mitigate the thermal disturbance has been carried out. ► Introduction of a coupling system in VHTR-based SI hydrogen production facilities. ► Evaluation of thermal disturbance due to the malfunction of SI process components. ► Conceptual design of a helium cooling system to mitigate thermal disturbance. ► Design information of a steam generator and forced-draft air-cooled heat exchanger.