Amirkabir University of Technology Amirkabir Journal of Mechanical Engineering 2008-6032 57 2 2025 04 21 Cost Analysis of a Zero-Carbon Hydrogen, Power, and Heat System Using Advanced Nuclear and Sorption-Enhanced Methane Reforming Cost Analysis of a Zero-Carbon Hydrogen, Power, and Heat System Using Advanced Nuclear and Sorption-Enhanced Methane Reforming 147 170 5761 10.22060/mej.2025.23897.7825 FA Reza Khaffaf Pour Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Tabriz University, Tabriz, Iran Mortaza Yari Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Tabriz University, Tabriz, Iran Aliakbar Darabadi Zare Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Tabriz University, Tabriz, Iran Journal Article 2025 02 10 <span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;">Fourth-generation very-high-temperature reactors, particularly when integrated with steam methane reforming and carbon dioxide capture processes, offer significant potential for large-scale hydrogen production with an environmentally conscious approach. However, limited research has been conducted on the design and economic evaluation of integrated Generation IV and steam methane reforming systems for nuclear hydrogen production, especially when considering a combined cycle as part of the overall power generation system. In this study, a combined hydrogen and power generation system, utilizing a very-high-temperature reactor, has been developed and analyzed. This system employs steam methane reforming with enhanced CO2 absorption and a combined cycle approach. System modeling was performed from thermodynamic and economic perspectives using Aspen Plus software, and its thermodynamic performance was evaluated under various operating conditions. Furthermore, several parametric studies were conducted to determine the factors that affect hydrogen and power generation. Simulation results indicate an energy efficiency of 73% for the proposed system, with hydrogen and power production efficiencies of 16% and 23%, respectively. The results show that the proposed system performs better than multi-generation systems in previous research. In addition, the exergy efficiency of the proposed system was calculated to be 69.9%. </span> <span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;">Fourth-generation very-high-temperature reactors, particularly when integrated with steam methane reforming and carbon dioxide capture processes, offer significant potential for large-scale hydrogen production with an environmentally conscious approach. However, limited research has been conducted on the design and economic evaluation of integrated Generation IV and steam methane reforming systems for nuclear hydrogen production, especially when considering a combined cycle as part of the overall power generation system. In this study, a combined hydrogen and power generation system, utilizing a very-high-temperature reactor, has been developed and analyzed. This system employs steam methane reforming with enhanced CO2 absorption and a combined cycle approach. System modeling was performed from thermodynamic and economic perspectives using Aspen Plus software, and its thermodynamic performance was evaluated under various operating conditions. Furthermore, several parametric studies were conducted to determine the factors that affect hydrogen and power generation. Simulation results indicate an energy efficiency of 73% for the proposed system, with hydrogen and power production efficiencies of 16% and 23%, respectively. The results show that the proposed system performs better than multi-generation systems in previous research. In addition, the exergy efficiency of the proposed system was calculated to be 69.9%. </span> https://mej.aut.ac.ir/article_5761_81cacbb44ce8bf874ef92e1a73432c7f.pdf