AQUEOUS HOMOGENEOUS REACTOR FOR HYDROGEN PRODUCTION.

Abstract

Hydrogen production by radiolysis of water in aqueous reactors is described. Three reactor designs are considered and the essential features of each are discussed. The use of thermal neutron leakage into an aqueous blanket surrounding the main power generating part of the reactor is treated. The potential of a low power reactor for production of hydrogen is examined. It is shown that the energy efficiency of hydrogen production by such a reactor is given approximately by 3. 0 fG%. Since G is small, a reactor built entirely for hydrogen production is perhaps not economical from an energy conservation viewpoint. However, a reasonable G factor makes it financially attractive because no turbine-generator of electrolysis equipment is required.