MELCOR-H2: A Modular, Generalized Tool for the Dynamic Simulation and Design of Fully-Coupled Nuclear Reactor/Hydrogen Production Plants

摘要

The first version of MELCOR-H2 has been completed. This tool allows the designer/analyst to simulate fully coupled nuclear/thermochemical cycles in steady-state and transient mode. The code developers have employed a modular, generalized approach that allows designers/analysts the ability to pick and chose plant components in a rather wide spectrum, thus enabling them to formulate safe and economically-viable nuclear/thermochemical plants. Future versions of MELCOR-H2 will include the Westinghouse Hybrid Sulfur Cycle and the Adiabatic UT-3 Cycle, and will be able to compute hydrogen generation cost in dollars per kilogram. Additionally, MELCOR-H2 will have more advanced thermalhydraulic secondary-system models, and will include process modules for distillation and separation. At this point, we are seeking partners for MELCOR-H2 applications for the Global Nuclear Energy Partnerships, the New Hydrogen Initiative, and new generation reactors.