Theoretical Analysis on I-S Influence to Water Thermolysis Temperature in Nuclear Hydrogen Production

The abundant amount of energy which is resulted from nuclear reaction has been used to generate electricity, powering aircraft ships, submarine and many others application. In spite of those utilities, the thermal efficiency of nuclear reactor is only 30 %. To increase the efficiency and flexibility, the nuclear energy could be converted to be a hydrogen fuel. The use of hydrogen fuel will be a solution for two global issues at once i.e., to anticipate the shortening of oil reserve and to stop the global warming. The use of nuclear heat increases the possibility of hydrogen production in a massive scale. Through water thermolysis, the nuclear energy which is released as heat can be altered to form a chemical energy which is kept in hydrogen molecules. When it is required, the energy can be released again by oxidizing these hydrogens. Hydrogen is a very gracious fuel for the environment because its waste is water. But a direct water thermolysis reaction should meet a very high temperature of 5,000 °C which caused many difficulties. Therefore, it is well known in the last recent years an indirect technique for water thermolysis through a series of reactions which can be carried out at lower temperature. The reactions form a closed cycle with I-S (Iodine-Sulphure) catalyst as a mediator so that the technique is called I-S cycle. This paper contains theorytical analysis on I-S (Iodine-Sulphure) cycle influence to the temperature lowering in water thermolysis reaction for hydrogen production which exploites the heat of nuclear reaction in a NPS (Nuclear (Generated) Power Station). Thermodynamic variables determination showed that the indirect water thermolysis through I-S catalized reaction cycle can be carried out spontantly at a relatively low temperature, i.e. 900 °C maximally. (author)