Manchester-based Circular Refining & Products plans to develop a nuclear-derived ‘ruby’ hydrogen production facility at Deeside Industrial Park, on the border between North Wales and Northwest England.
This project, outlined in a recent company announcement, aims to harness nuclear power to produce hydrogen, positioning itself as a pioneering venture in the energy sector.
Circular Refining plans to build a 100MWe nuclear park and a 100MWe electrolyser for hydrogen production. The project will be developed in five stages, each comprising a small modular reactor (SMR) with a 20MWe capacity, coupled with a 20MWe hydrogen production facility. This phased approach allows for incremental development, reducing initial financial risk and enabling technology adaptation.
The facility will use nuclear power to generate electricity, which will then be used to produce hydrogen through electrolysis. This process involves splitting water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen using electricity. By using nuclear power, the project aims to produce hydrogen with a lower carbon footprint compared to conventional methods that rely on fossil fuels.
The produced hydrogen, termed ‘ruby hydrogen’ by Circular Refining, will be distributed across the region by road and rail. The company also plans to establish a network of refilling stations, particularly targeting operators of heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) looking to adopt hydrogen as a clean-burning fuel alternative.
The use of nuclear power for hydrogen production is still in its early stages globally. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recently concluded a Coordinated Research Project (CRP) on this topic, highlighting several ongoing and planned demonstration projects. Different nuclear power plant (NPP) types can be coupled with various hydrogen production technologies, such as conventional electrolysis, thermochemical cycles, and hybrid technologies like high-temperature steam electrolysis (HTSE).
Comparing Circular Refining’s project with similar global initiatives provides valuable insights. For instance, the U.S. and Canada are also exploring nuclear-powered hydrogen projects, focusing on integrating advanced nuclear reactors with hydrogen production technologies. These projects face similar challenges, such as technical feasibility, cost efficiency, and public acceptance.
