Nuclear waste for hydrogen production: methods, advantages, and future perspectives

Abstract

Hydrogen has become a promising energy carrier as the need for sustainable and clean energy sources increases globally. Utilizing nuclear waste is a novel method of producing hydrogen that transforms a persistent environmental issue into a useful resource. The present work provides a comprehensive review of innovative approaches for hydrogen production through the effective utilization of nuclear waste. Based on the existing research, it was found that nuclear waste can significantly enhance hydrogen generation through a variety of advanced methods, including catalyst-enhanced electrolysis, methane reforming, and thermochemical cycles. Other promising techniques involve radiation-enhanced electrolysis cells, feeding radioactive waste into a heater to generate electricity for powering electrolysis cells, radiolysis, and liquid plasma photocatalysis. These techniques have several advantages, including lowering the amount of radioactive waste, lowering the requirement for long-term storage, and supplying a steady supply of hydrogen. Moreover, the limitations and challenges associated with these methods have been thoroughly explored, including the risk of syngas contamination, chemical modification of the catalyst, and stringent regulations that hinder research progress in this field.