THERMAL PERFORMANCE OF A JACKETED MULTIPHASE OXYGEN REACTORS IN THE COPPER CHLORINE CYCLE FOR HYDROGEN PRODUCTION

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.5952413053

• Palavras-chave: Cu-Cl cycle; hydrogen production; oxygen; heat transfer; Spiral Baffled Jacket

• Keywords: Cu-Cl cycle; hydrogen production; oxygen; heat transfer; Spiral Baffled Jacket

• Abstract: In this work, the heat transfer analysis of the three-phase oxygen reactor with a spiral baffled jacketed reactor are performed. The required number of oxygen reactors is analysed to provide enough heat input for different hydrogen production rates. Two types of fluids, which are helium gas and molten CuCl, are investigated to transfer heat from the jacket side to the process side of the oxygen reactor. In the analysis, the Cu-Cl cycle is assumed to be driven by a nuclear reactor where two types of nuclear reactors are examined as the heat source to the oxygen reactor. These types are the CANDU Super Critical Water Reactor (CANDU-SCWR) and High Temperature Gas Reactor (HTGR). In this work, it was found that the dominant contribution to the thermal resistance of the jacketed oxygen reactor system was from the reactor wall, where heat transfer occurred by conduction only. This contribution is about 80% of the total thermal resistance. It was also shown that a better heat transfer rate is required for SCWR than that for HTGR. Moreover, from the study of the fluid types that can be used in the service side, it was recommended to use helium gas instead of molten CuCl as a heating fluid in the jacket. Finally, it was found that the size of the oxygen reactor must be specified from the heat balance studies rather than material balance.