Life Cycle Assessment of Nuclear-Based Hydrogen Production Using Thermochemical Water Decomposition: Extension of Previous Work and Future Needs

Abstract

A Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of nuclear-based hydrogen production using thermochemical water decomposition is conducted. The copper-chlorine thermochemical cycle is considered, and the environmental impacts of the nuclear and thermochemical plants are assessed. Environmental impacts are investigated using CML 2001 impact categories. The nuclear fuel cycle contributes significantly to total environmental impacts. The environmental impacts for the thermochemical hydrogen production plant contribute much less. Changes in the inventory of materials or chemicals needed in the thermochemical plant do not affect significantly the total impacts. Improvement analysis suggests the development of more sustainable processes, particularly in the nuclear plant.