Hydrogen production by the Westinghouse sulfur cycle process: program status

Abstract The Sulfur Cycle Hydrogen Production Process is a hybrid electrochemical/thermochemical process for decomposing water into hydrogen and oxygen. The development program is based on the desire to have a process development unit (PDU), operating at the pressures, temperatures and performance levels desired for a commercial unit, in service by 1983. The program required to meet the schedule is discussed. The results of the development activities performed to date are included in companion papers. Evaluations of process performance and economics for both nuclear and non-nuclear energized process configurations continue to show overall thermal efficiencies of close to 50% and potential economics competitive with alternate methods of producing bulk hydrogen.