An Analysis of the Use of A Lead-Cooled Fast Reactor for Hydrogen Production in an EABO Environment
Abstract
Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations (EABO) will require significant coordination across multiple branches to ensure sufficient sustainment capabilities, especially to meet the high energy demands for these operations. One solution to meet the extraordinary energy demands of EABO is through hydrogen production with a small modularized, lead-cooled fast reactor (LFR). Hydrogen could then be used as feedstock to produce synthetic hydrocarbons that could supplement conventional fuel through a Fischer Tropsch process. This thesis explores the various hydrogen production methods compatible with an LFR in an EABO environment. An analysis was conducted for each method to determine the most efficient operating conditions based on the typical operating ranges of a reference LFR. This analysis determined that a Hybrid Thermochemical Electrolysis process was the most effective method for hydrogen production when paired with an LFR and using a Supercritical Carbon Dioxide (S-CO2) Brayton cycle for energy conversion. It was also realized that the lack of testing performed with hybrid processes makes the feasibility of this technology being implemented promptly less likely. However, polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) electrolysis was also found to be a very effective hydrogen production method and is a mature technology with commercially available options already existent that could meet the U.S.'s needs.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 2022
- Accession Number
- AD1185080
Entities
People
- Weston Patrick
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School