Hydrogen nuclear power

As of 1994 there were 105 operating commercial nuclear power stations in the United States (1) (see Power generation). AH of these faciUties were light, ie, hydrogen—water reactors. Seventy-one were pressurized water reactors (PWRs) the remainder were boiling water reactors (BWRs). 

Since about 1940, mankind has realised that energy could be released if the very light nuclei of hydrogen could be made to react to produce deuterium or helium, where nuclear fusion would provide energy. The alternative is nuclear fission of the very heavy elements to give two nuclei of lower atomic number. Already there exist many nuclear power stations using fission but none using fusion. We return to the discussion of the potential value of nuclear power in Chapters 10 and 11. 

Zink, J., Trend favors nuclear-hydrogen economy, Power Eng., 107, 20, 2003. 

Nuclear energy can produce hydrogen in several ways (1) nuclear heated steam reforming of natural gas, (2) electrolysis of water using nuclear power, (3) HTE using minor heat and major electricity from nuclear reactor, and (4) thermochemical splitting of water using... 

Matsunaga, K. et al., Hydrogen production system with high temperature electrolysis for nuclear power plant, Paper 6282 in Proc. ICAPP 06, Reno, NV, June 4-8,2006. 

Brown, L.C. et al., High efficiency generation of hydrogen fuels using nuclear power, General Atomics report GA-A24285, 2003. 

Nuclear particle detectors, hydrogenated amorphous silicon in, 22 135 Nuclear power, 6 813... 

Chapter six considers the impact of fuel cells on power generation. One concept is to use hydrogen cars as mobile power sources. Other topics include the benefits of fuel cells, coal gasification, solar, wind and nuclear power. 

Chapter eight discusses the power and energy and transportation future which includes hydrogen and fuel cells. Related topics involve renewables and solar satellite power. The chapter concludes several possible future scenarios and trends in nuclear power. 

Clean options include nuclear power to produce hydrogen with no emissions. But expanding nuclear power means overcoming safety, waste disposal and security concerns. 

The current proven coal reserves of the United States are predicted to support this production level for 200 years. This liquefied coal reserve exceeds the proven oil reserves of the entire world. The reactors could also produce hydrogen or gaseous hydrocarbons from the coal as well. The excess heat from nuclear power plants could be used for central heating. 

Nuclear power plants could also be a major source of hydrogen. If... 

In the light of the projected growth of demand for energy services, particularly electricity, there is a renewed interest in the extension of nuclear power in some countries. With uranium being a finite resource as well, Chapter 4 focuses primarily on the question of a future expansion of nuclear power in the context of the availability of nuclear fuels. Moreover, the evolution of the next generation of nuclear reactors, such as breeder reactors or reactors suitable for hydrogen production, is addressed. 

However, future challenges faced by nuclear power also relate to operating security concerns, nuclear weapons proliferation issues and final waste management, which are reflected in a mixed public acceptance. These are crucial areas to be addressed and developed, if nuclear power should expand its share in electricity and hydrogen generation in the future. 

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