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High-temperature steam electrolysis (HTSE) is one of the few options that can make a significant contribution to climate change mitigation on a large scale, particularly when combined with a nuclear power plant (NPP). However, the relatively high cost of the produced hydrogen from HTSE technology decreases the applicability of that. Implementing a proper integration of HTSE into the nuclear power plant (NPP) with the minimum possible power loss factor (PLF) can reduce the cost of energy consumption. The major aim of this study is to develop some effective schemes for the integration of HTSE into NPP based on the minimization of PLF, which consequently can minimize the energy cost of HTSE. It is found that the minimum power loss factors for small, medium, and large-scale nuclear-HTSE plants are 38, 36 and 35%, respectively. Accordingly, the cost of the produced hydrogen varies from 4.10 to 4.168 $/kg for large to small-scale plants. In addition, it is found that the total efficiency of the cogeneration plant increases by 5% for large-scale HTSE plants. [Display omitted] • Nuclear hydrogen production can be made economic by power loss factor minimization. • Three different scenarios for nuclear-hydrogen cogeneration were defined. • A detailed simulation of nuclear-hydrogen cogeneration plant was carried out. • The best steam extraction points with minimum power loss factors were found. • Heat consumption cost in high temperature steam electrolysis was minimized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pressure on reducing greenhouse gas emissions has increased since the focus on climate change mitigation has grown. As the human development index is directly related to per capita energy consumption, sustainable energy production with reduced carbon footprint is the essential pathway for cleaner environment. Over numerous existing biological processes, hydrogen production via photo fermentation and photolysis of water is considered a more sustainable and economical method of hydrogen production. While both biological modes suffer from certain limitations, such as low yields and low production rates, practical implementation is still a long way off due to these limitations. The unique properties of nanomaterials (NMs) can help increase the efficiency of the biomass to biohydrogen process in significant ways. Applications of organic and inorganic nanoparticles in photocatalytic and photo fermentative hydrogen production is discussed in this paper. This review reports a wide range of applications of nanomaterials including the details of photo fermentative microorganisms and their mechanism of action. The maximum photo fermentative bio-H 2 production was reported in the presence of SiC–Fe 3 O 4 (3.02 mol H 2 /mol acetate), Ni (41 mol H 2 /mol sugar), graphite-C 3 N 4 (64.2 mol H 2 /mol sugar) whereas photocatalytic bio-H 2 yield was highest when Pd–Ni/CdS (54 mmol/g.h), Ni-MO/g-C 3 N 4 (1785 mmol/g.h) and CuO/TiO 2 (20.3 mmol/g.h) nanoparticles were employed. To design photocatalytic systems for practical and scalable use, the future research should be focused on deeper theoretical knowledge of mechanisms of light harvesting, ± charge separation and transport, surface biochemical reactions, semiconductor–liquid interactions, and reactor dynamics. [Display omitted] • Recent developments for improving water photolysis and photo-fermentation are reviewed. • Applications of organic and inorganic nanoparticles in hydrogen production are discussed. • The working principle and mechanism of hydrogen production are discussed. • The influence of key operating factors are presented. • Scope for future research was presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The development of hydrogen energy as a sustainable energy resource is essential for mitigating climate change. The primary challenge to the commercialization of hydrogen energy, relative to that of petrochemical fuels, is cost. Therefore, an innovative business model that converts the costs of procuring biomass into revenue via the production of hydrogen was developed. Profitable hydrogen production can typically be realized by lowering costs through continuous technological development and increasing scale. Feedstock procurement costs, however, limit the cost/benefit reduction flexibility. This study employs biowaste material as feedstock for biological fermentative hydrogen production. This model extends the hydrogen production value chain to include the income from biomass hydrogen production as well as the revenue from processing biowaste and reduced fuel source costs. This study investigates the costs involved in the commercialization of the hydrogen fermentation process, develops an innovative business model, and presents a case study to describe this model. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]