Economical Research on Hydrogen Production of Sodium-Cooled Fast Reactor

Abstract The Sodium-cooled fast reactor could use the reactor fuel more efficiently and produce less long-lived radioactive waste, which will play a key role in World’s carbon peaking and carbon neutralization goal in the future. Owing to the high temperature at the reactor’s outlet (above 500°C), high-efficiency (above 40%), and high-tech maturity (more than 400 reactor years), which can provide the thermal power and electrical energy for hydrogen production simultaneously. This paper analyzes hydrogen production through CFR1000 using HEEP (V2021) software, which was developed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The results show that the most suitable hydrogen production methods for SFR are the copper-chlorine cycle and conventional electrolysis, considering the reactor’s outlet temperature and the goal of zero-carbon emission. The economic analysis shows that the cost of hydrogen production by water electrolysis through CFR1000 is 3.04 $/kg, through IFR is 2.84 $/kg. And this paper also conducted the hydrogen transportation method through the nuclear power plant. The research result shows that converting hydrogen into ammonia for off-site transportation is the best solution Considering safety and economy.