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Techno-Economic Analysis of Synthetic Fuels Pathways Integrated with Light Water Reactors

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/1692371· OSTI ID:1692371
The purpose of this work is to identify, model, and compare two possible synfuel production routes utilizing CO2 as the feedstock. Heat from an LWR nuclear plant is integrated wherever possible as a means to positively affect the economics of the LWR. Process and economic modeling for a conceptual synfuel production plant co-located (or in near proximity) with an LWR is presented, including the cost of CO2 captured from an ethanol plant, compressed, and transported to the LWR hybrid plant, co-electrolysis of the CO2 with water in a solid oxide electrolyzing cell (SOEC) system to produce syngas, and thermo-catalytic conversion of the syngas to transportation fuel. The hybrid LWR/synfuels plant is assumed to be located within 50-150 miles of an ethanol plant, e.g., located in the Midwest region of the United States. Performance and nth plant economics for the co-electrolysis-based processes are evaluated and compared with biomass-gasification-based technology for the synfuel routes considered. Sensitivity analysis around the price of CO2 and electricity, two of the major cost drivers, is presented for each case. Consideration of a carbon credit is also included in the sensitivity analysis.
Research Organization:
Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Nuclear Energy (NE)
DOE Contract Number:
AC07-05ID14517
OSTI ID:
1692371
Report Number(s):
INL/EXT--20-59775-Rev000
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English