High Temperature Reactors in the Nuclear Energy System from position of the Hydrogen Economy

Transcription

1 High Temperature Reactors in the Nuclear Energy System from position of the Hydrogen Economy P.N. Alekseev, A.L. Balanin, P.A. Fomichenko, E.I. Grishanin, D.A. Krylov, V.A. Nevinitsa, T.D. Schepetina, S.A. Subbotin National Research Centre Kurchatov Institute, Moscow, Russia Contacts: Technical Meeting to Examine the Role of Nuclear Hydrogen Production in the Context of the Hydrogen Economy I3 TM July 2017, IAEA, Vienna, Austria

2 Content The impact of energy production on the environment HTGR advantages in nuclear power sector Potential role of HTGR Economic challenges Nuclear reactor technologies for hydrogen production Proposal for multi criteria assessment Conclusion 2

3 The impact of energy production on the environment World CO 2 Emissions by fuel (2014) 1 World (2014) 1 : Primary energy supply Electricity generation Life cycle emissions from different power generation sources (mg/kwh) 2 «The very small amounts of air pollutant emissions in the nuclear fuel cycle translate to significantly lower public health concerns than other fuel cycles Nuclear power is both a low carbon source of baseload electricity and a technology associated with clean air.» nea.org/ndd/pubs/2015/7208 climate change 2015.pdf 3

4 The impact of energy production on the environment Figure 1 compares greenhouse gas emissions from the full nuclear power life cycle to life cycle emissions from other power generation technologies. NP cycle includes mining uranium, making fuel, building, operating and decommissioning the power plant, dealing with the waste. * The vertical scales in the two figures differ by a factor of ten. Despite the ecological attractiveness, some renewables cannot provide reliable baseload electricity, because of their intermittent nature / pdf 4

5 HTGR advantages in nuclear power sector A large part of global energy is produced at the expense of hydrocarbons burning. At the same time oil, gas and coal are not only energy resources, but also raw materials. It is very important to reserve resources for next Generation! Nuclear power could supply energy for production processes in oil, gas, chemical, metallurgical and food industries, including production of hydrogen. High temperature gas cooled reactors have following advantages to fulfill this mission: High coolant temperatures provide high energy conversion efficiency and reduced thermal impacts on the environment; High safety level is ensured by inherent properties, microfuel integrity under accident conditions and low specific fuel load, it is also socially essential; Fuel technology allows efficient use of various types of fuel (U, Pu, Th); Modular design is important for small scale power and for process applications and has low serial manufacturing costs. However 1 : Use of HTGRs at existing petrochemical plants deteriorates mass balances of technological processes and results in increase of product price; For achievement of microeconomic efficiency at introduction of HTGRs, deep modernization of flow diagrams and development of new design of the equipment are required; Full use of HTR advantages is possible at modernized and new factories. 1 Scenarios of Heavy Beyond Design Basis Accidents in HTGRs. N.G. Kodochigov, Yu.P. Sukharev, P.A. Fomichenko. HTR

6 Nuclear Hydrogen Energy Nuclear energy has unlimited fuel resources (taking the breeding into account). Production of nuclear electricity and heat is accompanied by the lowest environmental emissions compared to hydrocarbons burning. These advantages of nuclear energy can be complemented by the following features of hydrogen: unlimited amount of the raw (water) for its production; product cost does not depend on raw price (in case of water electrolysis); a good energy carrier for energy accumulation, using and transportation; using hydrogen for energy production doesn t make emissions; a chemical reagent required in industry. To reduce burning of fossil fuel, first of all, oil and gas valuable raw materials for industries, change over to hydrogen economy could be based on development of HTGR power application technology for hydrogen generation processes with high thermodynamic and technical economic effectiveness, such as generation from water using the electrolysis, thermochemical decomposition and steam electrolysis. Their costs do not depend on oil and gas prices as compared with hydrogen generation from methane. At the same time, for the first stage of nuclear hydrogen energy, when gas price is still rather low, the matured process of hydrogen generation from methane is considered. 6

7 Temperature requirements for the key production processes 7

8 Potential role of HTGR on the hydrogen production market Hydrogen today is mainly used as a reagent in industry. Production of hydrogen requires energy. HTGR plants offer comprehensive power solutions for the hydrogen production (and other industrial) processes: Heat; Steam; Electricity. The main market segments for the promotion of HTGR technology: Petrochemical, oil refining, metallurgical industries burning hydrocarbons; Integration into the production process is preferable at new facilities. Actual total world hydrogen production ~71 million tons Steam methane reforming Coal gasification By product Electrolysis The actual world oil refinery productivity in 2015 is ~80 million barrels/day *. Consumption of hydrogen at different stages of oil refining varies from 1 to 79 m 3 /barrel **. According to forecasts, by 2020, the production of hydrogen will increase by 4% annually ***. *BP Statistical Review of World Energy, 2016 **Technip, PI of hydrogen plants and naphtha crackers, 2016 ***Market Research Report on Global Hydrogen Consumption 2016, QYR Chemical & Material Research Center 8

9 Economic challenges Current performance of key hydrogen generation technologies * Economic assessments show that the competitive LCOH 2 depending on HTGR location should be: on the consumer site < 2.0 USD/kg Н 2 ; at a distance from the consumer < 4.5 USD/kg Н 2 (including transportation and storage costs). According to forecasts the price of hydrogen will decrease in the near future by 2 3% annually **. *IEA Technology Roadmap Hydrogen and Fuel Cells, 2015 **Market Research Report on Global Hydrogen Consumption 2016, QYR Chemical & Material Research Center 9

10 Long term future technology Large power plant with the Gas Cooled Fast Reactor BGR 1000 Fuel design (U Pu)C (U Pu)O 2 Thermal power 2000 MW He pressure 16 MPa He temperature 350 / 750 C 4 primary circuit loops Breeding ratio 1,06 / 1,44 Working in the closed fuel cycle with expanded fuel breeding or recycling of actinides, BGR 1000 could play its own role in the nuclear energy system due to its potential of efficient electricity generation and possibility of application to industrial production processes. Physical and technical basics of the concept of competitive GCFR facility with core based on coated fuel microparticles. FR 17, IAEA, Yekaterinburg, Russia. 10

11 Middle term future technology Medium power plant with the Modular Helium Reactor MHR T Fuel design Ø12,5x50 mm Ø~1mm Thermal power 600 MW He pressure 7.5 MPa He temperature 578 / 950 C 2 primary circuit loops (electricity and heat) Power conversion unit Heat exchanger Advances in Small Modular Reactor Technology Developments. A Supplement to IAEA Advanced Reactors Information System (ARIS)

12 Near term future technology Small power plant with the Modular Helium Reactor MHR 100 can be considered as the most near term commercial Russian design, which has four options, including two intended for hydrogen production: electric power and district heat production by core thermal power conversion to electric one in direct gas turbine cycle (GT); electric power and hydrogen generation by high temperature steam electrolysis method (SE); hydrogen generation by steam methane reforming method (SMR); high temperature heat supply to oil refinery plant (OR). Each option consists of power and technological parts. The power part is unified for all options. A power unit consists of reactor with thermal power 215 MW and gas turbine power conversion unit (PCU) for power generation and (or) heat exchange units, depending on option. The technological part for hydrogen generation depends on the production method (SE or SMR). Proceedings of Global 2009, Paris, France, September 6 11, Paper

13 MHR 100 basics The modular helium cooled reactor includes the core with hexahedral prismatic fuel assemblies and has inherent self protection. The technical concept of reactor plant MHR 100 is based on: multilayer coated fuel particles (UO2) with high burnup and possibility to disposal the spent fuel blocks without additional reprocessing. Fuel active height 7.8 m 1584 Fuel assemblies Enrichment LEU < 20% Burnup 120 MWd/kgU Fuel lifetime 30 months Ø~1mm 50 мм 12.5 мм Coolant is circulated in primary loops by main gas circulator or by PCU turbomachine (TM) compressors. PCU uses direct gas turbine Brayton cycle of power conversion with high efficiency recuperation and intermediate coolant cooling. PCU design is based on: experience in high efficiency gas turbines application in power engineering and transport; electromagnetic bearings used in power conversion system; generator is located in air medium outside the helium circuit. Prospects of HTGR Development in Russia. April 8 11, 2014, IAEA, Vienna, Austria 13

14 MHR 100 SE MHR 100 SE plant for generation of power and superheated steam with required parameters to generate hydrogen by electrolysis The configuration with parallel heat exchange loop in the primary circuit is taken as a basis for MHR 100 SE option. One loop consists of reactor, steam generating unit (SGU) and main gas circulator. The other includes reactor and PCU. ~10% of heat energy generated in core is transferred to SGU for hydrogen production. The balance of energy is converted into electric power in PCU in direct gas turbine cycle. Proceedings of Global 2009, Paris, France, September 6 11, Paper

15 MHR 100 SE Main parameters of MHR 100 SE plant Reactor heat capacity, MW 215 Useful electric power of generator, MW 87.1 Power generation efficiency (net), % 45.7 Helium temperature at reactor inlet/outlet, C 553/850 Helium flow rate through the reactor, kg/s 138 Helium pressure at reactor inlet, MPa 4.41 Expansion ratio in turbine 2.09 Generator/TC rotation speed, rpm 3000/9000 Helium flow rate through the turbine, kg/s 126 Helium temperature at PCU inlet/outlet, C 850/558 SG power, MW 22.3 Helium flow rate through SG, kg/s 12.1 Helium temperature at SG inlet/outlet, C 850/494 Steam capacity, kg/s 6.46 Steam pressure at SG outlet, MPa 4.82 Helium is circulated in SGU by gas circulator. Superheated steam with required parameters is removed in pipelines to hightemperature electrolysis plant with solid oxide electrochemical components where water steam is decomposed in hydrogen and oxygen with separation of these reagents. Electric power for SE plant is generated by PCU generator. Proceedings of Global 2009, Paris, France, September 6 11, Paper

16 MHR 100 SMR MHR 100 SMR plant for generation of high grade heat to produce hydrogen by steam methane reforming Heat energy is removed from reactor to working fluid (steam gas mixture) of the secondary circuit in 3 stage high temperature HXs, which are the part of thermal conversion facility (TCF). Primary circuit helium is circulated by circulator and steam gas mixture by compressors. Proceedings of Global 2009, Paris, France, September 6 11, Paper

17 MHR 100 SMR Steam methane reforming (CH 4 +H 2 0(steam)+heat CO+3H 2 ) is performed in TCF in 3 stages. Steam gas mixture (steam 83.5 %, CH %) is supplied to TCF 1, TCF 2 and TCF 3 consistently. That determines the configuration of RP heat transfer unit, which consists of three individual high temperature heat exchangers HX 1, HX 2, HX 3. HX sections are arranged in parallel along primary coolant flow and consistently along steam gas mixture flow. After TCF 3, steam gas mixture (steam 55 %, СН 4, Н 2, СО, СО 2 45 %) with high hydrogen concentration flows through СО 2 and Н 2 О purification. block and then to hydrogen separation block. The return fraction and natural gas are mixed with superheated steam and then flow to TCF. Proceedings of Global 2009, Paris, France, September 6 11, Paper 9527 Reactor heat capacity, MW 215 Helium temperature at reactor inlet/outlet, C 450/950 Helium flow rate through the reactor, kg/s 81.7 Helium pressure at reactor inlet, MPa 5 Steam gas mixture pressure at HX inlet, MPa 5.3 HX TCF 1 HX 1 capacity, MW 31.8 Helium/steam gas mixture flow rate, kg/s 12.1/43.5 Steam gas mixture temp. at inlet/outlet, C 350/650 HX TCF 2 HX 2 capacity, MW 58.5 Helium/steam gas mixture flow rate, kg/s 22.2/60.9 Steam gas mixture temp. at inlet/outlet, C 350/750 HX TCF 3 HX 3 capacity, MW 125 Helium/steam gas mixture flow rate, kg/s 47.4/101 Steam gas mixture temp. at inlet/outlet, C 350/870 17

18 MHR 100 SMR is near term technology Steam methane reforming (SMR) is the main process, which is industrially mastered and adapted for the first stage of HTGR introduction for hydrogen generation: existing world production of hydrogen is based on this process; required temperature of steam gas mixture heating is 800 C. The combination of HTGR and SMR will reduce natural gas consumption. Economic efficiency of SMR is determined by gas price and consumed heat temperature. Vessel parts of MHR 100 are the most technological for near term HTGR deployment. Maturity of the fuel technology allowing high burnup and accident temperature up to ~1600 C. PCU HX 2 HX 1 HX 3 SG MHR 100 VVER

19 Proposal for multi criteria assessment For the comparative assessment and to examine role of different Nu H 2 production technologies it is proposed to draw up the matrix of multi criteria analysis. That approach is to consider the object from different (possibly independent) positions areas of assessment or criteria. Each criterion is assigned a relative weight. The mutual ratio of weights shows the approach to assessment and depends on conditions and target of assessment. Criterion values is determined by expert evaluations. The summary assessment for each technology is calculated by the selected convolution method. EXAMPLE: Matrix of multi criteria analysis Economy Safety Criterion Reliability Ecology Social acceptability Infrastructure Independence Maturity Prospect total 100 Criterion weight, % Criterion value Facility 1 Facility 2 HEEP evaluation as a complex assessment of economic criterion 19

20 Conclusion (1/2) Nuclear energy Power supply by the nuclear energy is attractive due to stability and independence of load, low air emissions, unlimited resource potential of uranium and thorium. Nuclear energy improves environmental friendliness of the whole power system by replacing the hydrocarbons burning; Nuclear fuel basically is a energy resource, unlike the oil, gas and coal that are also valuable raw materials. Hydrogen is a suitable energy carrier for transfer of nuclear energy to any consumer including technological processes and transport. HTGR technology HTGR technology proposes high temperature potential required for hydrogen production, as well as high safety level necessary for co location of facilities. HTGR power line and modular design are well combined with demands of hydrogen production. 20

21 Conclusion (2/2) Near term technologies MHR 100 SMR nuclear power plant with possibility of hydrogen production by the steam methane reforming method is the most near term commercial Russian design (OKBM Afrikantov) that can play its role in hydrogen economy Steam methane reforming is actually the most mature and effective method to produce hydrogen in a large scale Small power and modular arrangement are convenient for various industrial needs Technologically feasible MHR 100 design includes four options for different technological processes MHR 100 SE option is designed for hydrogen production by the electrolysis method that will be more desirable at the next stages of the hydrogen economy development Examination of role Considered methodology to examine role of HTGR can be applied to the comparative assessment of attractiveness of power facilities by means of multi criteria analysis The economic criterion can be comprehensively evaluated by HEEP software (IAEA) 21

22 Maturity of HTGR technology Thank you for attention! 22