Small modular reactor integrated energy system

Abstract

Described herein are integrated energy systems with little or no carbon emissions, and related devices and methods, for use in producing sodium formate and / or processing sodium formate to produce hydrogen as an energy carrier. An exemplary integrated energy system may include a power plant system having multiple modular nuclear reactors. The multiple reactors can generate electricity and steam for direct use in the sodium formate process or for use in a power conversion system that generates electricity for use in the sodium formate process or for supply to the power grid. Individual reactors in the multiple reactors may be configured to flexibly generate different outputs of steam or electricity based on grid demand conditions, for example, to supply excess electricity and / or steam to the sodium formate process during off-peak hours.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 416,327, filed October 14, 2022, and entitled "On-Site and On-Demand Hydrogen Generation," and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 439,062, filed January 13, 2023, and entitled "Small Modular Reactor Integrated Energy System and Associated Devices and Methods for Seawater Desalination Applications," each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] The present technology relates to Integrated-Energy-Systems (IESs) that generate hydrogen on-site and on-demand from, for example, sodium formate (HCOONa) to support the energy imbalance market (EIM) and / or to provide a supplemental back-up process to other hydrogen production mechanisms. The present technology further relates to IESs that produce sodium formate. [Background technology]

[0003] Hydrogen is an energy carrier and one of the most important materials for industry. In 2020, approximately 88 million tons of hydrogen were produced worldwide. More than 95% of the produced hydrogen is generated via fossil fuels through (1) steam-methane-reforming (SMR) of natural gas, (2) hydrocarbon oxidation, (3) coal gasification, and / or (4) biomass gasification. The above-mentioned processes generate a very large carbon dioxide (CO2) footprint and have been identified as a major source of greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change and global warming.

[0004] In recent years, hydrogen production via water electrolysis has become an important and essential part of the process for reducing greenhouse gas footprints per unit of hydrogen. Water electrolysis technologies are classified into three basic categories based on the electrolyte used: (1) high-temperature steam electrolysis (HTSE) or solid oxide electrolysis cell (SOEC), (2) liquid alkaline (LA) (e.g., alkaline water) electrolysis, and (3) proton exchange membrane (PEM) water electrolysis. LA electrolysis and PEM electrolysis are both low-temperature electrolysis technologies. HTSE and SOEC exhibit the highest hydrogen production efficiency when operating with input steam temperatures in the range above 700 °C, making them suitable for sustainable hydrogen production. LA electrolysis and PEM electrolysis are commercially available, well-developed technologies that typically operate at much lower temperatures and are less efficient than HTSE systems. PEM electrolysis systems have a more compact design than LA electrolysis systems and operate at lower input water temperatures (typically below 100 °C).

[0005] HTSE fuel cells are highly efficient when the input steam temperature is maintained between 700 and 850°C. HTSE cells can have all-solid-state construction (ceramic and metal) and high operating temperatures. The combination of these features results in several unique and attractive properties, including cell and stack design flexibility, multiple fabrication options, and multi-fuel capability options.

[0006] Energy from power plants, such as nuclear reactors and / or renewable energy sources, can be diverted to produce hydrogen via water electrolysis. Some such systems are described in U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 116,819, entitled "Small Modular Nuclear Reactor Integrated Energy System for Energy Production and Green Industrial Applications," filed March 2, 2023, and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Specifically, the NuScale Power Module® (NPM) is a 250 megawatt (MWt) thermal power monolithic pressurized water reactor (PWR) that employs gravity-driven natural circulation of primary coolant in both normal operation and shutdown modes. NPMs, including containment vessels, are fully fabricated in a factory and transported to the factory by truck, rail, or barge. NuScale's flagship VOYGR-12 power plant design can accommodate up to 12 NPMs for a total power output of 924 megawatts (MWe). Other configurations include small power plant solutions such as the four-module VOYGR-4 (308 MWe) and the six-module VOYGR-6 (462 MWe).

[0007] Design, testing, and analysis activities for NuScale VOYGRNPM in support of a design certification application (DCA) to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) have been underway for several years. The DCA was submitted after extensive pre-application activities with the NRC since 2008, and the NRC review began in March 2017. The NRC completed the final phase of its review with the issuance of a Final Safety Evaluation Report (FSER) in August 2020, making NuScale the first small modular reactor (SMR) ever to receive NRC certification.

[0008] By 2029, the NuScale Power Plant will be part of the Carbon Free Power Project (CFPP), an initiative led by Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems (UAMPS), a consortium of 48 public electric utilities serving eight western U.S. states. Interest in NuScale's technology from other utilities continues to grow as multiple U.S. states have enacted or are planning to enact legislation to reduce carbon emissions and / or set clean energy targets. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0009] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2014 / 154253 [Non-patent literature]

[0010] [Non-Patent Document 1] Hauch, A., et al. “Recent Advances in Solid Oxide Cell Technology for Electrolysis,” Science, vol. 370, no. 6513, 9 Oct. 2020, https: / / doi.org / 10.1126 / science.aba6118 [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] Many aspects of the present technology can be better understood with reference to the following drawings, in which the components are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present technology.

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a partially schematic, partially cross-sectional view of a small modular furnace system constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present technique; [Figure 2] 1 is a partially schematic, partially cross-sectional view of a small modular furnace system configured in accordance with an additional embodiment of the present technique; [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic diagram of a nuclear power plant system including multiple small modular reactor systems according to an embodiment of the present technique; [Figure 4A] 4 is a schematic diagram of an integrated energy system including the power plant system of FIG. 3 according to an embodiment of the present technique. [Figure 4B] 4B and 4C are schematic diagrams of the integrated energy system of FIG. 4A configured during off-peak and peak hours, respectively, in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology. [Figure 4C] 4B and 4C are schematic diagrams of the integrated energy system of FIG. 4A configured during off-peak and peak hours, respectively, in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology. [Figure 5] 4 is a schematic diagram of an integrated energy system including, for example, the power plant system of FIG. 3 in accordance with additional embodiments of the present technology. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a membrane cell for carrying out a chlor-alkali membrane process via electrolysis of aqueous sodium chloride, according to the prior art. [Figure 7] 1 is a schematic diagram of a process carried out by a hydrochloric acid production plant for producing hydrochloric acid in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology. [Figure 8A] 4 is a schematic diagram of an integrated energy system including the power plant system of FIG. 3 in accordance with an additional embodiment of the present technique. [Figure 8B] 8B and 8C are schematic diagrams of the integrated energy system of FIG. 8A configured during off-peak and peak hours, respectively, in accordance with embodiments of the present technology. [Figure 8C] 8B and 8C are schematic diagrams of the integrated energy system of FIG. 8A configured during off-peak and peak hours, respectively, in accordance with embodiments of the present technology. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Aspects of the present technology generally relate to integrated energy systems, such as those used in the production and / or processing of sodium formate (HCOONa) to generate hydrogen as an energy carrier. The integrated energy systems of the present technology may have little or no carbon emissions. In some embodiments, the integrated energy system includes a power plant system having multiple small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) specifically configured to operate together to support an electrical grid and one or more processes for producing and / or processing sodium formate ("sodium formate processes"). SMRs are nuclear reactors that are smaller in size (e.g., dimensions) and power output than large, conventional nuclear reactors. Furthermore, SMRs are modular in that some or all of their systems and components can be assembled in a factory and transported as a unit to an installation site. In some aspects of the present technology, the multiple SMRs of the integrated energy system can flexibly and dynamically provide electrical power, steam, or a combination of both electricity and steam to the electrical grid and the sodium formate process due to the modularity and flexibility of the SMRs. That is, the configuration of the SMR can be switched during operation to vary the levels of steam output and electrical output depending on the operating conditions and / or demand of the power grid and / or sodium formate process.

[0014] In some embodiments, the integrated energy system includes a sodium formate production system and an electrical grid, both of which are operably coupled to a power plant system including multiple SMRs and a power conversion system. Individual SMRs can heat a coolant to steam that is routed (i) directly to the sodium formate production system or (ii) to the power conversion system for power generation. The power can be fed into the electrical grid, and the sodium formate production system is configured to utilize the steam and / or electricity to produce sodium formate.

[0015] More specifically, for example, a sodium formate production system may include a seawater desalination plant operably coupled to a power plant system, a brine processing plant operably coupled to the seawater desalination plant, and a sodium formate production plant operably coupled to the brine processing plant and the power plant system. The seawater desalination plant may be configured to receive seawater or brackish water, for example, located at or near a coastal area, and steam and / or electricity from the power plant system and use the steam and / or electricity to process the seawater or brackish water to produce brine and purified water. The brine processing plant (e.g., a chlor-alkali membrane process system) may receive brine from the seawater desalination plant and process the brine to produce sodium hydroxide solution, hydrogen, and chlorine. The sodium formate production plant may receive sodium hydroxide from the brine processing plant, carbon monoxide from a carbon monoxide source, and steam and / or electricity from the power plant system and use the steam and / or electricity to process the sodium hydroxide and the carbon monoxide to produce sodium formate. Some embodiments of the present technology can reduce or eliminate the environmental impact of brine from desalination plants, and also allow some or all of the material components to be reprocessed to produce hydrogen as an energy carrier, as well as sodium formate and / or hydrochloric acid for other industrial applications.

[0016] During operation of the integrated energy system, the electrical grid may have a first demand state (e.g., an off-peak period) and a second demand state (e.g., a peak period) that is greater than the first demand state. The power plant system may be controlled to have a first operating state. In the first operating state, (a) steam from a first subset of the plurality of SMRs is routed to a power conversion system to generate electricity that is routed to the electrical grid, and (b) steam from a second subset of the plurality of SMRs is routed to a sodium formate production system for use in producing sodium formate and / or routed to the power conversion system to generate electricity that is routed to the sodium formate production system for use in producing sodium formate (e.g., by routing the steam and electricity to a seawater desalination plant and / or a sodium formate production plant). During a second demand state of the electrical grid, the power plant system may be controlled to have a second operating state that is different from the first operating state. In a second operating state, steam from at least one of the plurality of SMRs in the second subset is routed to a power conversion system to generate electricity that is routed to the power grid.

[0017] In some embodiments, the sodium formate may be shipped to a location remote from the power plant system and the sodium formate production system. The sodium formate may be processed to produce hydrogen as an energy carrier. The hydrogen may be utilized in a hydrogen fuel cell to regenerate electricity during a second demand state, for example, to support high power demands on the power grid.

[0018] Certain example details are set forth in the following description and in FIGS. 1 through 8C to provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments of the present technology. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, operations, and / or systems often associated with nuclear reactors, power plant systems, integrated energy systems, chemical production plants, industrial process plants, electrolysis systems, hydrogen and oxygen production plants, sodium formate production and processing, brine processing, and the like, are not shown or described in detail in the following disclosure to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of various embodiments of the technology. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the present technology may be practiced without one or more of the details described herein and / or with other structures, methods, components, and the like. The terms used below should be interpreted in their broadest reasonable manner, even when used in conjunction with detailed descriptions of certain example embodiments of the present technology.

[0019] The accompanying drawings depict multiple embodiments of the present technology and are not intended to limit its scope unless explicitly stated. The sizes of the various elements depicted are not necessarily drawn to scale, and these various elements may be enlarged to improve readability. Details of components may be abstracted in the drawings to omit details such as the location of components and the precise predetermined connections between such components if such details are unnecessary for a complete understanding of how to make and use the technology. Many of the details, dimensions, angles, and other features shown in the drawings are merely illustrative of specific embodiments of the present disclosure. Thus, other embodiments may have other details, dimensions, angles, and features without departing from the present technology. Additionally, those skilled in the art will recognize that further embodiments of the present technology may be practiced without some of the details described below.

[0020] To the extent that any document incorporated by reference herein conflicts with this disclosure, this disclosure will control. The headings provided herein are for convenience only and should not be construed as limiting the subject matter described.

[0021] I. SELECTED EMBODIMENTS OF NUCLEAR REACTOR POWER CONVERSION SYSTEMS

[0022] 1 and 2 illustrate an exemplary nuclear reactor that may be included in embodiments of the present technology. FIG. 1 is a partially schematic, partially cross-sectional view of a nuclear reactor system 100 configured in accordance with embodiments of the present technology. The system 100 includes a power module 102 having a core 104 in which a controlled nuclear reaction occurs. Accordingly, the core 104 may include one or more fuel assemblies 101. The fuel assemblies 101 may include fissile and / or other suitable materials. Heat from the reaction generates steam in a steam generator 130, which directs the steam to a power conversion system 140. The power conversion system 140 generates electrical power and / or provides other useful outputs, such as superheated steam. A sensor system 150 is used to monitor the operation of the power module 102 and / or other system components. Data obtained from the sensor system 150 may be used in real time to control the power module 102 and / or to update the design of the power module 102 and / or other system components.

[0023] The power modules 102 include a containment vessel 110 (e.g., a radiation-shielded vessel or radiation-shielded containment vessel) that houses / encloses a reactor vessel 120 (e.g., a reactor pressure vessel or reactor pressure containment vessel), which houses a reactor core 104. The containment vessel 110 may be housed in a power module bay 156. The power module bay 156 may house a cooling pool 103 filled with water and / or other suitable cooling liquid. A majority of the power modules 102 are positioned below a surface 105 of the cooling pool 103. Thus, the cooling pool 103 may act as a heat sink, for example, in the event of a system malfunction.

[0024] The volume between reactor vessel 120 and containment vessel 110 may be partially or completely evacuated to reduce heat transfer from reactor vessel 120 to the surrounding environment (e.g., to cooling pool 103). However, in other embodiments, the volume between reactor vessel 120 and containment vessel 110 may be at least partially filled with gas and / or liquid to increase heat transfer between reactor vessel 120 and containment vessel 110. For example, the volume between reactor vessel 120 and containment vessel 110 may be at least partially filled (e.g., filled with primary coolant 107) during emergency operations.

[0025] Within the reactor vessel 120, a primary coolant 107 transfers heat from the core 104 to the steam generator 130. For example, as indicated by arrows located within the reactor vessel 120, the primary coolant 107 is heated in the core 104 and directed toward the bottom of the reactor vessel 120. The heated primary coolant 107 (e.g., water with or without additives) rises from the core 104, through the core shroud 106, and into the riser pipe 108. The hot and buoyant primary coolant 107 continues to rise through the riser pipe 108, before exiting the riser pipe 108 and descending through the steam generator 130. The steam generator 130 includes a plurality of conduits 132 arranged circumferentially around the riser pipe 108, for example, in a spiral pattern, as shown schematically in FIG. 1 . The descending primary coolant 107 transfers heat to the secondary coolant (e.g., water) in conduit 132 and descends to the bottom of reactor vessel 120, where the cycle begins again. The cycle can be driven by changes in buoyancy of the primary coolant 107, thereby reducing or eliminating the need for pumps to move the primary coolant 107.

[0026] The steam generator 130 may include a feedwater header 131 through which incoming secondary coolant enters a steam generator conduit 132. The secondary coolant rises through the conduit 132, is converted to steam (e.g., water vapor), and is collected in a steam header 133. The water vapor exits the steam header 133 and is directed to a power conversion system 140.

[0027] Power conversion system 140 may include one or more steam valves 142 that regulate the passage of high-pressure, high-temperature steam from steam generator 130 to steam turbine 143. Steam turbine 143 converts the thermal energy of the steam into electricity via generator 144. The low-pressure steam exiting turbine 143 is condensed in condenser 145 and then directed (e.g., via pump 146) to one or more feedwater valves 141. Feedwater valve 141 controls the rate at which feedwater re-enters steam generator 130 via feedwater header 131. In other embodiments, steam from steam generator 130 can be routed for direct use in industrial processes such as hydrogen and oxygen production plants, chemical production plants, and / or the like, as described in more detail below. Thus, steam exiting steam generator 130 can bypass power conversion system 140.

[0028] The power module 102 includes multiple control systems and associated sensors. For example, the power module 102 may include a hollow cylindrical reflector 109. The hollow cylindrical reflector 109 reflects neutrons back into the reactor core 104 to drive the nuclear reaction in the reactor core 101. Control rods 113 are used to regulate the nuclear reaction and are driven via fuel rod drivers 115. The pressure within the reactor vessel 120 may be controlled by controlling the pressure in a pressurized volume 119 positioned above the pressurizer plate 117 via the pressurizer plate 113 (which may also serve to direct the primary coolant 107 downward through the steam generators 130).

[0029] Sensor system 150 may include one or more sensors 151 positioned at various locations within power module 102 and / or elsewhere to identify, for example, operating parameter values ​​and / or changes in parameter values. Data collected by sensor system 150 may then be used to control the operation of system 100 and / or to effect design changes for system 100. For sensors positioned within containment vessel 110, sensor links 152 route data from the sensors to flange 153 (where sensor link 152 exits containment vessel 110) and route the data to sensor junction box 154. From there, the sensor data is routed via data bus 155 to one or more controllers and / or other data systems.

[0030] 2 is a partially schematic, partially cross-sectional view of a nuclear reactor system 200 ("system 200") configured in accordance with embodiments of the present technique. In some embodiments, system 200 includes some features that are at least generally similar in structure and function to or identical in structure and function to corresponding features of system 100 detailed above with reference to FIG. 1, and may operate in a generally similar or identical manner to system 100.

[0031] In the illustrated embodiment, system 200 includes a furnace vessel 220 and a containment vessel 210 that surrounds / encloses furnace vessel 220. In some embodiments, furnace vessel 220 and containment vessel 210 may be generally cylindrical or capsule-shaped. System 200 further includes multiple heat pipe layers 211 within furnace vessel 220. In the illustrated embodiment, the heat pipe layers 211 are stacked and spaced apart from one another. In some embodiments, the heat pipe layers 211 may be attached / secured to a common frame 212, a portion of furnace vessel 220 (e.g., a wall thereof), and / or other suitable structure within furnace vessel 220. In other embodiments, the heat pipe layers 211 may be stacked directly on top of one another such that each heat pipe layer 211 supports and / or is supported by one or more of the other heat pipe layers in the heat pipe layers 211.

[0032] In the illustrated embodiment, the system 200 further includes a shield or reflector region 214 at least partially surrounding the core region 216. The multiple heat pipe layers 211 may have circular, linear, polygonal, and / or other shapes such that the core region 216 has a corresponding three-dimensional shape (e.g., cylindrical, spherical, etc.). In some embodiments, the core region 216 is separated from the reflector region 214 by a core barrier 215, such as a metal wall. The core region 216 may include one or more fuel sources, such as fissile material, that heat the heat pipe layers 211. The core region 214 may include one or more materials configured to contain / reflect products resulting from burning fuel in the core region 216 during operation of the system 200. For example, the reflector region 214 may include a liquid or solid material configured to reflect neutrons and / or other fission products radially inward toward the core region 216. In some embodiments, reflector region 214 may completely surround core region 216. In other embodiments, reflector region 214 may partially surround core region 216. In some embodiments, core region 216 may include control material 217, such as moderator and / or coolant. Control material 217 may at least partially surround heat pipe layer 211 in core region 216, enabling heat transfer therebetween.

[0033] In the illustrated embodiment, the system 200 further includes at least one heat exchanger 230 (e.g., a steam generator) positioned around the heat pipe layer 211. The heat pipe layer 211 may extend from the core region 216 at least partially into the reflector region 214 and is thermally coupled to the heat exchanger 230. In some embodiments, the heat exchanger 230 may be positioned outside or partially within the reflector region 214. The heat pipe layer 211 provides a heat transfer path from the core region 216 to the heat exchanger 230. For example, the multiple heat pipe layers 211 may each include an array of heat pipes that provides a heat transfer path from the core region 216 to the heat exchanger 230. When the system 200 is operating, the fuel in the core region 216 heats up, vaporizing fluid within the heat pipes in the heat pipe layer 211, which can transport heat to the heat exchanger 230. The heat pipes of the heat pipe layer 211 can then direct the fluid via wicking, gravity, and / or other means back towards the core region 216 where it can be heated and vaporized again.

[0034] In some embodiments, heat exchanger 230 may be similar to steam generator 130 of FIG. 1 and may include, for example, one or more spirally wound tubes wrapped around heat pipe layer 211. The tubes of heat exchanger 230 transport heat from the heat pipe layers 211 out of reactor vessel 220 and containment vessel 210 and may contain or carry a working fluid (e.g., a coolant such as water or other fluid) used to generate electricity, steam, or the like. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, heat exchanger 230 is operably coupled to turbine 243, generator 244, condenser 245, and pump 246. As the temperature of the working fluid in heat exchanger 230 increases, the working fluid begins to boil and vaporize. The vaporized working fluid (e.g., steam) may be used to drive turbine 243 to convert the thermal potential energy of the working fluid into electrical energy via generator 244. Condenser 245 condenses the working fluid after passing through turbine 243, and pump 246 can return the working fluid to heat exchanger 230, where it can begin another thermal cycle. In other embodiments, the vapor from heat exchanger 230 can be routed for direct use in an industrial process, such as an enhanced oil recovery operation, described in more detail below. Thus, the vapor exiting heat exchanger 230 can bypass turbine 243, generator 244, condenser 245, pump 246, etc.

[0035] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a nuclear power plant system 350 (“power plant system 350”) including multiple nuclear reactors 300 (individually identified as first through twelfth reactors 300a through 300l, respectively) according to an embodiment of the present technology. Each of the multiple nuclear reactors 300 may be similar to or identical to reactor 100 and / or reactor 200 described in detail above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. Power plant system 350 may be “modular” in that each reactor 300 may be independently operated to provide an output, such as electricity or steam. Power plant system 350 may include fewer than 12 nuclear reactors 300 (e.g., 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or 11 nuclear reactors 300) or more than 12 nuclear reactors 300. Power plant system 350 may be permanently installed or mobile (e.g., mounted on a truck, tractor, mobile platform, etc.). In the illustrated embodiment, the reactors 300 may each be located within a common housing 351 , such as a reactor plant building, and may be controlled and / or monitored via a control room 352 .

[0036] Each of the nuclear reactors 300 may be coupled to a corresponding power conversion system 340 (individually identified as first through twelfth power conversion systems 340a through 340l, respectively). The power conversion systems 340 may include one or more devices that generate electrical power or some other form of usable power from steam produced by the nuclear reactors 300. For example, the power conversion systems 340 may include similar or identical functionality to the power conversion system 140 detailed above with reference to FIG. 1. In some embodiments, multiple of the nuclear reactors 300 may be coupled to the same one of the power conversion systems 340 and / or one or more of the nuclear reactors 300 may be coupled to multiple of the power conversion systems 340 such that there is not a one-to-one correspondence between the nuclear reactors 300 and the power conversion systems 340.

[0037] Power conversion system 340 may further be coupled to a power transmission system 354, for example, via a power bus 353. Power transmission system 354 and / or power bus 353 may include one or more transmission lines, transformers, and / or the like for adjusting the current, voltage, and / or other characteristics of the electricity generated by power conversion system 340. Power transmission system 354 may route electricity via multiple electrical output paths 355 (individually identified as electrical output paths 355a through 355n) to one or more end users and / or end uses, such as different electrical loads of the integrated energy system described in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 4A through 8C .

[0038] Each of the multiple reactors 300 may be further coupled to a steam delivery system 356, for example, via a steam bus 357. The steam bus 357 may route steam generated from the multiple reactors 300 to the steam delivery system 356. The steam delivery system 356 may route the steam via multiple steam output paths 358 (individually identified as steam output paths 358a through 358n) to one or more end users and / or end uses, such as different steam inputs of the integrated energy system described in more detail below with reference to Figures 4A through 8C.

[0039] In some embodiments, the multiple reactors 300 may be individually controlled (e.g., via control room 352) to provide steam to a steam transmission system 356 and / or to a corresponding one of the multiple power conversion systems 340 to provide electricity to a power transmission system 354. In some embodiments, the multiple reactors 300 are configured to provide steam to a steam bus 357 or to a corresponding one of the multiple power conversion systems 340 and may be quickly and efficiently switched to supply steam to either. Thus, in some aspects of the present technology, the multiple reactors 300 may be modularly and flexibly controlled to enable the power plant system 350 to provide different levels / quantities of electricity via the power transmission system 354 and / or via the steam transmission system 356. For example, if the power plant system 350 is used to provide electricity and steam to one or more industrial processes, such as various components of the integrated energy system described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 4A through 8C , the multiple reactors 300 may be controlled to meet the different electrical and steam requirements of the industrial processes.

[0040] As an example, during a first operating state of the integrated energy system using power plant system 350, a first subset of the plurality of reactors 300 (e.g., first through sixth reactors 300a through 300f) may be configured to provide steam to steam delivery system 356 for use in the first operating state of the integrated energy system, while a second subset of the plurality of reactors 300 (e.g., seventh through twelfth reactors 300g through 300l) may be configured to provide steam to corresponding ones of the plurality of power conversion systems 340 (e.g., seventh through twelfth power conversion systems 340g through 300l) for generating electricity in the first operating state of the integrated energy system. Thereafter, if different (e.g., greater or lesser) amounts of steam and / or electricity are required, During a second operating state of the integrated energy system, some or all of a first subset of the plurality of reactors 300 may be switched to provide steam to corresponding ones of the plurality of power conversion systems 340 (e.g., seventh through twelfth power conversion systems 340g through 340l) and / or some or all of a second subset of the plurality of reactors 300 may be switched to provide steam to steam delivery system 356 to vary the amount of steam and electricity produced to meet the needs of the second operating state. Other variations in steam and electricity production are possible based on the needs of the integrated energy system. That is, the plurality of reactors 300 may be dynamically / flexibly controlled during other operating states of the integrated energy system to meet the steam and electricity requirements of the operating states.

[0041] In contrast, some conventional nuclear power plant systems typically can produce either steam or electricity as an output, but cannot be modularly controlled to provide various levels of steam and electricity as outputs. Furthermore, conventional nuclear power plant systems typically find it difficult (e.g., expensive, time-consuming, etc.) to switch between steam production and electricity production. Specifically, for example, in a prototypical large nuclear power plant system, switching between steam production and electricity production is typically extremely time-consuming.

[0042] The multiple reactors 300 may be individually controlled via one or more operators and / or via a computer system. Accordingly, many embodiments of the technology described herein may take the form of computer- or machine- or controller-executable instructions, including routines executed by a programmable computer or controller. Those skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the technology may be implemented in computer / controller systems other than those shown and described herein. The technology may be embodied in special-purpose computers, controllers, or data processors that are specifically programmed, configured, or constructed to execute one or more of the computer-executable instructions described below. Accordingly, the terms “computer” and “controller,” as used generally herein, may refer to any data processor, including internet appliances and handheld devices (including palmtop computers, wearable computers, cellular or mobile phones, multiprocessor systems, processor-based or programmable consumer electronics, network computers, minicomputers, etc.). Information handled by these computers may be presented on any suitable display medium, including a liquid crystal display (LCD).

[0043] The technology may also be practiced in distributed environments where tasks or modules are performed by remote processing devices linked through a communications network. In a distributed computing environment, program modules or subroutines may be located in local and remote memory storage devices. Aspects of the technology described herein may be stored on or distributed on computer-readable media, including magnetically, optically, or removable computer disks, or electronically distributed over a network. Data structures and data transmissions specific to aspects of the technology are also encompassed within the scope of embodiments of the technology.

[0044] II. SELECTED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INTEGRATED ENERGY SYSTEM

[0045] The power plant system 350 of FIG. 3 may be coupled to one or more industrial processes and / or systems to form an integrated energy system for producing green (e.g., carbon-free or low-carbon) hydrogen, sodium formate, and / or other industrial products. For example, electricity and / or steam can be diverted from the power plant system 350 to produce hydrogen as an energy carrier for short-term storage during off-peak hours to support the energy imbalance market (EIM). Typically, liquid organic hydrogen carriers (LOHCs) can be used to support this period with predictable rates of hydrogenation and dehydrogenation. The release of stored hydrogen may be fed to reversible solid oxide electrolysis cells (RSOECs) and / or other hydrogen fuel cells to generate electricity. However, such EIM segments can be highly volatile and unpredictable, resulting in insufficient amounts of hydrogen available for power generation. Therefore, on-site and on-demand hydrogen production mechanisms can be beneficial to support the EIM and for emergency needs. In the EIM, when there is a greater demand for electricity than the energy from the stored hydrogen, a thermochemical process can be used to release hydrogen from sodium formate. In some embodiments of the present technology, a power plant system 350, where both electrical and thermal energy are abundantly available, can be used to process sodium formate to produce hydrogen.

[0046] 4A is a schematic diagram of an integrated energy system 460 including the power plant system 350 of FIG. 3 in accordance with an embodiment of the present technique. In the illustrated embodiment, the power plant system 350 is configured for use in an industrial process / operation, specifically to produce hydrogen as an energy carrier and subsequently consume the hydrogen to generate electricity, for example, to support an energy imbalance market (EIM). Specifically, the power plant system 350 is configured to generate electricity and route the electricity (e.g., via one or more power transmission lines, e.g., via the power transmission system 354 of FIG. 3 ) to one or more power grids 461, one or more hydrogen and oxygen production plants 462, and one or more sodium formate processing plants 463. The power plant system 350 is further configured to generate steam and route the steam (e.g., via one or more steam transmission lines, e.g., via the steam transmission system 356 of FIG. 3 ) to the hydrogen and oxygen production plants 462 and the sodium formate processing plants 463.

[0047] Power grid 461 can supply power to multiple remote end users or may be dedicated to a specific consumer. Power plant system 350 may be a permanent or temporary facility constructed at or near the location of hydrogen and oxygen production plant 462 and / or sodium formate processing plant 463, or it may be a mobile or partially mobile system that is moved and assembled to or near the location of hydrogen and oxygen production plant 462 and sodium formate processing plant 463. Generally, power plant system 350 may be local to (e.g., located at or near) the location of the industrial process / operation it supports, such as hydrogen and oxygen production plant 462 and sodium formate processing plant 463. For example, power plant system 350 may be located within 0.4 km (0.25 miles), within 0.8 km (0.5 miles), within 3.22 km (2 miles), within 4.82 km (3 miles), or within 8.1 km (5 miles) of the industrial process / operation it supports. In some embodiments, the power plant system 350 includes four, six, twelve, or a different number of nuclear reactors 300 (FIG. 3) and has a power output of between 308 and 924 megawatts of electricity (MWe). In some embodiments, the power plant system 350 can output between approximately 308 and 462 MWe.

[0048] The hydrogen and oxygen production plant 462 may utilize one or more electrolysis processes to generate hydrogen and oxygen, such as a high-temperature steam electrolysis (HTSE) process and / or liquid alkaline (LA; e.g., alkaline water) electrolysis or proton exchange membrane (PEM) water electrolysis (low-temperature electrolysis (“LTE”)). In some embodiments, the hydrogen and oxygen production plant 462 utilizes an HTSE process, and the integrated energy system 460 may further include a supplemental heater (not shown) that receives steam and electricity from the power plant system 350 and uses the electricity from the power plant system 350 to superheat steam from the power plant system 350 (e.g., to between 300 and 850°C, between 700 and 850°C, to above 600°C, or to above 850°C) for use in the HTSE process. In some embodiments, the hydrogen and oxygen production plant 462 may utilize the LTE process, and the integrated energy system 460 may further include a water production plant (not shown) that receives electricity from the power plant system 350 and uses the electricity to produce high-quality water for use in the LTE process (e.g., by desalination and / or otherwise removing contaminants and / or unwanted materials from the water source). Further details of hydrogen and oxygen production plants that utilize the HTSE and / or LTE processes to produce hydrogen and oxygen are described in U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 116,819, filed March 2, 2023, entitled "Small Modular Nuclear Reactor Integrated Energy System for Energy Production and Green Industrial Applications," which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0049] In the illustrated embodiment, the integrated energy system 460 further includes one or more hydrogen storage facilities 464 and one or more oxygen storage facilities 465 configured to receive and store the hydrogen (H) and oxygen (O), respectively, produced by the hydrogen and oxygen production plant 462. The hydrogen storage facility 464 can store hydrogen as a gas and / or via one or more liquid organic hydrogen carriers (LOHCs) that can absorb and release hydrogen through chemical reactions and / or other storage media. The LOHCs can have predictable rates of hydrogenation and dehydrogenation. The oxygen stored in the oxygen storage facility 465 can be routed (e.g., shipped, transported) to one or more end users 469 for use. The end users 469 may include industrial processing plants, hospitals, and / or the like.

[0050] In some embodiments, the integrated energy system 460 further includes one or more first hydrogen fuel cells 466 positioned to receive hydrogen and oxygen from the hydrogen storage facility 464 and the oxygen storage facility 465, respectively. The first hydrogen fuel cells 466 can convert hydrogen into electricity that is routed to the power grid 461 and / or to other components of the integrated energy system 460. The first hydrogen fuel cells 466 may include reversible solid oxide fuel cells (RSOFCs) that convert hydrogen to electricity using an electrochemical process.

[0051] The sodium formate processing plant 463 is configured to receive sodium formate from the sodium formate storage facility 467 and / or other sources and utilize electricity and / or steam from the power plant system 350 to process the sodium formate to produce hydrogen and other chemical by-products. For example, the sodium formate processing plant 463 may include a sodium formate reaction chamber. Within the sodium formate reaction chamber, the sodium formate and subsequent reaction products may be heated to allow a reaction to produce hydrogen. Upon heating, the sodium formate (HCOONa) decomposes to form disodium oxalate ((COO)Na) and hydrogen gas (H) according to the following equation (1): (1) 2HCOONa → (COO)2Na2 + H2

[0052] If the temperature is kept below 290°C, hydrogen is released. If the temperature is increased above 290°C, sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) is formed and carbon monoxide (CO) is released according to equation (2) below: (2)(COO)2Na2 → Na2CO3 + CO

[0053] Therefore, in some embodiments of the present technology, temperatures may be maintained below 300° C. to minimize carbon monoxide production to support an EIM scenario.

[0054] If additional hydrogen quantities are required to support additional power demands, the sodium formate processing plant 463 can utilize a superheating system (e.g., by injecting steam into the sodium formate reaction chamber) to receive superheated steam (>750°C) heated by the power plant system 350 and / or by heat generated by the second hydrogen fuel cell 468 and react with carbon monoxide in a catalytic steam reforming process (equation (2) above), resulting in the release of additional hydrogen (H2) and the formation of carbon dioxide (CO2) according to equation (3) below: (3) CO + H2O → CO2 + H2 (more hydrogen)

[0055] The sodium formate processing plant 463 may further allow carbon dioxide from the catalytic steam reforming process to react with sodium carbonate and additional steam from the power plant system 350, resulting in the production of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3 baking soda) according to equation (4) below, which combines equations (2) and (3) above. (4)Na2CO3 + 2CO2 + H2O → 2NaHCO3

[0056] Thus, the sodium formate processing plant 463 can utilize electricity and steam from the power plant system 350 to process sodium formate to produce hydrogen and other chemical by-products, such as sodium carbonate (according to equation (2) above) and / or sodium bicarbonate (according to equation (4) above). In some aspects of the present technology, the carbon dioxide produced in equation (3) is not released but becomes part of the sodium bicarbonate ultimately produced in equation (4). This reduces or completely eliminates carbon dioxide emissions. The sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, and / or other chemical by-products (e.g., sodium oxalate) can be utilized in other industrial processes. In some embodiments, from equations (1) through (4) above, 136 grams of sodium formate can be utilized to produce 4 grams of hydrogen based on the molar equation.

[0057] In some embodiments, the integrated energy system 460 further includes one or more second (e.g., backup) hydrogen fuel cells 468. The one or more second (e.g., backup) hydrogen fuel cells 468 are positioned to receive the hydrogen produced by the sodium formate processing plant 463 and air (and / or oxygen from the oxygen storage facility 465) and are configured to generate electricity therefrom. The second hydrogen fuel cells 468 can convert the hydrogen into electricity that is routed to the power grid 461 and / or to other components of the integrated energy system 460. The second hydrogen fuel cell 468 may generally be similar to or identical to the first hydrogen fuel cell and converts hydrogen to electricity using an electrochemical process. In some embodiments, the first hydrogen fuel cell 466 and the second hydrogen fuel cell 468 may comprise the same fuel cell and / or may be integrated into a common system, location, etc.

[0058] In some embodiments, the second hydrogen fuel cell 468 generates process heat that can be utilized by the sodium formate processing plant 463 for use in processing sodium formate to produce hydrogen (e.g., in any of the reactions given above by equations (1) through (4)), in addition to or as an alternative to heat and / or steam from the power plant system 350. For example, heat generated from the electrical and / or steam output of the power plant system 350 may be used during initial start-up of the sodium formate processing plant 463, after which heat generated from the second hydrogen fuel cell 468 may be used to sustain the sodium formate reaction during further operation. Thus, in some aspects of the present technology, the sodium formate processing plant 463 requires only input steam and / or input electricity from the power plant system 350 to achieve start-up, and is thereafter sustained by the second hydrogen fuel cell 468.

[0059] Sodium formate is a salt that can be easily and safely transported and stored (e.g., in sodium formate storage facility 467). Moreover, sodium formate can be produced on a large scale and inexpensively from formic acid by carbonylation of methanol followed by adding water to methyl formate, by neutralizing the formic acid with sodium hydroxide, and / or by other processes such as those detailed below with reference to Figure 5. Additionally, sodium formate may be processed at relatively low temperatures (e.g., below 290°C, about 250°C) according to equation (1) above to produce hydrogen on-site and on demand.

[0060] In some embodiments, the power plant system 350 may be controlled to selectively provide different amounts of electricity and / or steam to (i) the power grid 461, (ii) the hydrogen and oxygen production plant 462, and (iii) the sodium formate processing plant 463 based on the demand of the power grid 461 to support an energy imbalance market (EIM). For example, Figures 4B and 4C are schematic diagrams of an integrated energy system 460 configured for an off-peak period (e.g., a first demand state of the power grid 461) and a peak period (e.g., a four-hour period between 6 PM and 10 PM; e.g., a second demand state of the power grid 461 that is greater than the first demand state of the power grid 461), respectively, in accordance with embodiments of the present technology.

[0061] 4B , during off-peak hours, power plant system 350 may be controlled / configured to have a first operating state in which power plant system 350 provides excess electricity and steam to hydrogen and oxygen production plant 462 to produce hydrogen (as an energy carrier) and oxygen for short-term storage in hydrogen storage facility 464 and oxygen storage facility 465, respectively. Sodium formate processing plant 463 may not process sodium formate during off-peak hours, and first hydrogen fuel cell 466 and second hydrogen fuel cell 468 may be offline (e.g., not producing electricity).

[0062] 4C , during peak hours (e.g., typically four hours between 6:00 PM and 10:00 PM), the power plant system 350 may be controlled / configured to have a second operating state different from the first operating state. In the second operating state, much of the electricity is routed from the power plant system 350 to the power grid 461, while the first hydrogen fuel cell 466 operates to produce additional electricity from hydrogen produced during off-peak hours and stored in the hydrogen storage facility 464. Similarly, some electricity and / or steam may be routed to the sodium formate processing plant 463 to process sodium formate to produce hydrogen for use in electricity generation via the second hydrogen fuel cell 468. As described above, the electricity and / or steam from the power plant system 350 may be used to initialize the sodium formate reaction before the heat from the second hydrogen fuel cell 468 provides some or all of the heat needed to process the sodium formate.

[0063] 4A-4C , the integrated energy system 460 can (i) route excess steam and electricity from the power plant system 350 to the hydrogen and oxygen production plant 462 to produce hydrogen during off-peak hours when demand on the power grid 461 is low, and then (ii) utilize the produced hydrogen to regenerate electricity via the first hydrogen fuel cell 466 to meet high demand on the power grid 461 during peak hours and / or other unexpected bursts of demand. Simultaneously, the power plant system 350 can be controlled to deliver electricity and / or steam to the sodium formate treatment plant 463 during peak hours for the on-site and on-demand production of hydrogen that can be supplied to the second hydrogen fuel cell 468 to generate electricity for the power grid 461 to support insufficient energy production during peak hours and / or other unexpected bursts of demand.

[0064] In some embodiments of the present technology, some of the multiple reactors 300 ( FIG. 3 ) of the power plant system 350 may be dynamically switched from producing electricity for distribution to the power grid 461 to producing steam for use in the hydrogen and oxygen production plant 462 and / or the sodium formate processing plant 463. Thus, the modularity of the reactors 300 allows the power plant system 350 to flexibly / dynamically switch between the output of electricity and steam from individual ones of the multiple reactors 300 based on the demands of the integrated energy system 460 (e.g., the power grid 461).

[0065] Additionally, one or more of the multiple reactors 300 may be individually taken offline for maintenance, refueling, etc., while the remainder of the reactors 300 continue to produce steam and / or electricity. Thus, the power plant system 350 may continue to provide steam and / or electricity to the power grid 461, the hydrogen and oxygen production plant 462, and / or the sodium formate processing plant 463, even during maintenance, refueling, etc. In contrast, a conventional reactor system must be completely shut down during such procedures, with neither steam nor electricity being available.

[0066] In some embodiments of the present technology, the integrated energy system 460 may be highly efficient and may produce little to no carbon emissions. In contrast, conventional systems for producing hydrogen and oxygen typically rely on steam methane reforming, in which natural gas is reacted with high-temperature steam to produce carbon monoxide and hydrogen. Steam methane reforming has a high carbon footprint, typically producing approximately 9.3 kg of carbon dioxide per kilogram (kg) of hydrogen produced.

[0067] In some embodiments, an integrated energy system according to the present technology may be configured to produce sodium formate in addition to, or instead of, processing sodium formate to produce hydrogen as an energy carrier. Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of an integrated energy system 560 including, for example, the power plant system 350 of Figure 3 according to an additional embodiment of the present technology. In the illustrated embodiment, integrated energy system 560 is generally configured to treat seawater or brackish water to produce brine and purified water, treat the brine to produce sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and hydrogen, and utilize the sodium hydroxide to produce sodium formate (HCOONa). Integrated energy system 560 may include some features that are at least generally similar in structure and function to, or identical in structure and function to, corresponding features of integrated energy system 460 detailed above with reference to Figures 4A-4C and may operate in a generally similar or identical manner to integrated energy system 460.

[0068] In particular, power plant system 350 is configured to generate electricity and steam and route the electricity and steam (e.g., via one or more power transmission lines, via power transmission system 354 of FIG. 3 , via one or more steam transmission lines, via steam transmission system 356 of FIG. 3 ) to one or more seawater desalination plants 571, one or more sodium formate production plants 572, and one or more carbon monoxide production plants 573. In some embodiments, power plant system 350 is further configured to route the electricity to an electrical grid (not shown).

[0069] Power plant system 350 may be a permanent or temporary facility constructed at or near the location of desalination plant 571, sodium formate production plant 572, and / or carbon monoxide production plant 573, or may be a mobile or partially mobile system that is moved and assembled to or near the location of desalination plant 571, sodium formate production plant 572, and / or carbon monoxide production plant 573. In some embodiments, power plant system 350 may be a floating nuclear power plant and / or may be located at an offshore location near desalination plant 571.

[0070] Desalination plant 571 can receive and treat seawater, brackish water, or other salt water to produce clean water (e.g., drinking water) and a by-product, sodium chloride (NaCl), commonly referred to as brine. Thus, in some embodiments, desalination plant 571 can be located near a source of seawater or brackish water, for example, along the coastline of an arid country where clean water useful for large cities and industries is in short supply. Desalination plant 571 can treat the seawater or brackish water to produce clean water and brine using a distillation process (e.g., vacuum distillation, multi-stage flash distillation, multiple-effect distillation (MED)), vapor compression distillation, and / or the like), an osmosis process (e.g., reverse osmosis, forward osmosis), an electrodialysis process, and / or the like. For example, desalination plant 571 can utilize a reverse osmosis process. The reverse osmosis process uses a semi-permeable membrane and applied pressure (on the feed side of the membrane) to preferentially induce the permeation of water through the membrane while rejecting salts.

[0071] In the illustrated embodiment, a portion of the purified water is routed to one or more end users 575, such as homes, hospitals, industries, cities, etc. Brine is a highly concentrated aqueous solution of sodium chloride, ranging from approximately 4% up to approximately 26%. Because brine is denser than seawater or brackish water, if released into the ocean, it will sink to the seafloor and can damage marine ecosystems. Studies have shown that dilution is not a solution because brine dispersed from desalination plants can travel several kilometers, potentially harming ecosystems far from the desalination plant. Small amounts of brine can be used for food processing and road deicing. However, due to the large volume generated from the desalination process, innovative processes for reprocessing brine are desired to ensure that desalination processes that produce purified water for consumption and industry can be encouraged and deployed.

[0072] In the illustrated embodiment, the integrated energy system 560 further includes one or more brine treatment plants 574 operably coupled to the desalination plant 571. The brine treatment plant 574 is configured to receive brine and purified water from the desalination plant 571 and process the brine to produce chlorine (Cl), hydrogen (H), and sodium hydroxide (NaOH). In some embodiments, the brine treatment plant 574 is configured to process the brine using an electrolytic process, such as a chlor-alkali membrane process, to produce sodium hydroxide from an aqueous solution of sodium chloride. The chlor-alkali membrane process may use membrane cells and is also referred to as a membrane cell process. The membrane cell process uses membrane cells to partition the aqueous brine solution, thereby separating Cl, NaOH, and NaOH. - The ions can be inhibited or prevented from migrating to the cathode side of the cell and reacting with the aqueous sodium hydroxide solution produced. This process can also simultaneously produce chlorine gas and hydrogen gas. The sodium hydroxide accumulates at the cathode, where the water reacts with hydrogen gas and hydroxide ions (OH) according to equation (5): - ) is reduced to (5)2Na + +2H2O+2e - →H2+2NaOH

[0073] As a result, sodium hydroxide can typically be recovered at the cathode. More specifically, Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a membrane cell for implementing a chlor-alkali membrane process via electrolysis of aqueous sodium chloride (brine) according to the prior art. The brine may be provided from a seawater desalination plant 571 (Figure 5). As shown, chloride (Cl) is recovered at the anode (A). - ) is oxidized to chlorine, generating chlorine gas. The ion-selective membrane (B) is + is allowed to flow freely, but hydroxide (OH - ) and chloride from diffusing to the other side. At the cathode (C), water (HO) is reduced to hydroxide and hydrogen gas. Water may be provided from a desalination plant 571 (FIG. 5).

[0074] The chemical reactions that occur are as follows: First, saturated brine is passed through the first chamber of the membrane cell, where chloride ions are oxidized at the anode (A), losing electrons and becoming chlorine gas according to equation (6) below: (6) 2Cl - →Cl2+2e -

[0075] Sodium ions (Na + ) travels to the second chamber, where it reacts with hydroxide ions to produce caustic soda (NaOH). The positive hydrogen ions extracted from the water molecules are reduced to hydrogen gas by electrons provided by the electrolysis current, releasing hydroxide ions into the solution according to equation (7): (7) 2H2O + 2e - →H2+2OH

[0076] Therefore, the desired overall reaction for the electrolysis of brine is given by equation (8) below: (8) 2NaCl + 2H2O → Cl2 + H2 + 2NaOH

[0077] Referring again to FIG. 5 , carbon monoxide production plant 573 can receive electricity and steam from power plant system 350 and carbon dioxide (CO) inputs and utilize the electricity and steam to produce carbon monoxide (MO). In some embodiments, carbon monoxide production plant 573 can first capture and / or produce carbon dioxide (CO), and then process the carbon dioxide to produce carbon monoxide as an output. In some embodiments, the carbon dioxide input includes atmospheric air, and carbon monoxide production plant 573 is configured to capture carbon dioxide from the air via a direct air capture (DAC) process. In other embodiments, the carbon dioxide input includes bulk plastic, and carbon monoxide production plant 573 can gasify the bulk plastic to produce carbon dioxide. In some embodiments, carbon monoxide production plant 573 processes the produced carbon dioxide via an electrolysis process to produce carbon monoxide. For example, carbon monoxide production plant 573 can include solid oxide electrolyzer cells (SOECs) and / or other solid oxide fuel cells. These electrolyze carbon dioxide via a solid oxide or ceramic electrolyte to produce carbon monoxide. More specifically, CO2 can be supplied to the cathode side of the SOEC fuel stack by an applied current. On the anode side, oxygen, or simply air, is supplied to the SOEC stack to enhance the electrolysis process. The output stream from the cathode side of the SOEC stack contains a mixture of CO and CO2 according to equation (9) below: (9) 2CO2 → 2CO + O2

[0078] In some embodiments, the carbon monoxide production plant 573 may operate in a manner generally similar to either the method / device / system for generating carbon monoxide from carbon dioxide described in (i) Non-Patent Document 1 and / or (ii) U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013 / 0129999, entitled "Process for Producing CO from CO in a Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cell," filed March 26, 2013, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0079] Sodium formate production plant 572 is configured to (i) receive electricity and steam from power plant system 350, (ii) receive carbon monoxide from carbon monoxide production plant 573, and (iii) receive sodium hydroxide from brine treatment plant 574, and utilize these components to produce sodium formate (HCOONa). In some embodiments, sodium formate production plant 572 utilizes electricity and / or steam from the power plant system to heat the carbon monoxide and sodium formate to approximately 130°C and pressurize the carbon monoxide and sodium formate to between approximately 6 and 8 bar (e.g., in a reaction chamber). As a result, the carbon monoxide is absorbed by the sodium hydroxide to produce solid sodium formate. This reaction is given by equation (10) below: (10)CO + NaOH → HCOONa

[0080] In some embodiments, sodium formate may be used to generate hydrogen as an energy carrier for use in the regeneration of electricity via a hydrogen fuel cell, for example, as described in detail above with reference to Figures 4A-4C. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, integrated energy system 560 further includes one or more sodium formate processing plants 563. One or more sodium formate processing plants 563 can utilize electricity and steam from power plant system 350 (and / or other sources) to process sodium formate to produce hydrogen and other chemical by-products, such as sodium carbonate (according to equation (2) above), sodium bicarbonate (according to equation (4) above), sodium oxalate, and / or other chemicals. The resulting hydrogen produced by sodium formate processing plant 563 and / or hydrogen produced by brine processing plant 574 can be used as an energy carrier to generate electricity and / or for other purposes, as described in detail above with reference to Figures 4A-4C.

[0081] In some embodiments, integrated energy system 560 further includes one or more hydrochloric acid production plants 577. Hydrochloric acid production plants 577 (i) receive hydrogen from sodium formate processing plant 563 and / or hydrogen from brine processing plant 574, chlorine from brine processing plant 574, and clean water from desalination plant 571, and (ii) may utilize steam and / or electricity from power plant system 350 (and / or other sources) to process the hydrogen, chlorine, and water to produce hydrochloric acid (HCl).

[0082] 7 is a schematic diagram of a process performed by a hydrochloric acid production plant 577 to produce hydrochloric acid in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology. In the illustrated embodiment, the hydrochloric acid production plant 577 includes a reaction chamber 780, a supplemental heater 782, and a thermal energy recovery system 784. With reference to FIGS. 5 and 7, the reaction chamber 780 receives hydrogen gas (H) from the brine processing plant 574 and / or the sodium formate processing plant 563 and receives chlorine gas (Cl) from the brine processing plant 574. The reaction chamber 780 can further utilize power from the power plant system 350 to heat the reaction chamber to between about 230 and 270° C. (e.g., to about 250° C.) to react the hydrogen gas and chlorine gas to produce gaseous hydrogen chloride (HCl). In some embodiments, the auxiliary heater 782 can receive water from the desalination plant 571 and / or other sources and heat the water using electricity from the power plant system 350 to produce moisture (e.g., steam, vapor) that is routed to the reaction chamber 780. In some aspects of the present technology, the moisture makes the reaction between hydrogen gas and chlorine gas highly efficient. The reaction between hydrogen gas and chlorine gas is exothermic. Thus, in some embodiments, the thermal energy recovery system 784 can receive gaseous hydrogen chloride and recover thermal energy while cooling the gaseous hydrogen chloride to hydrochloric acid. The hydrochloric acid may be stored and / or used in one or more industrial processes.

[0083] In some embodiments of the present technology, some of the multiple reactors 300 ( FIG. 3 ) of the power plant system 350 may be dynamically switched from producing electricity and / or steam for use in the seawater desalination plant 571, the sodium formate production plant 572, the carbon monoxide production plant 573, the sodium formate processing plant 563, and / or the hydrochloric acid production plant 577. Thus, the modularity of the multiple reactors 300 allows the power plant system 350 to flexibly / dynamically switch between the output of electricity and steam from individual ones of the multiple reactors 300 based on the demands of the integrated energy system 560.

[0084] In some embodiments of the present technology, the integrated energy system 560 may be highly efficient and may produce little or no carbon emissions. In an additional aspect of the present technology, the process does not produce or release chemicals that are harmful to the environment.

[0085] 8A is a schematic diagram of an integrated energy system 860 including power plant system 350 of FIG. 3 in accordance with an embodiment of the present technique. Integrated energy system 860 may include some features that are at least generally similar in structure and function to or identical in structure and function to corresponding features of integrated energy system 460 and / or integrated energy system 560 detailed above with reference to FIGS. 4A-5, and may operate in a generally similar or identical manner to integrated energy system 460 and / or integrated energy system 560.

[0086] For example, in the illustrated embodiment, power plant system 350 is configured to generate electricity and steam and route the electricity and steam (e.g., via one or more power transmission lines, e.g., via power transmission system 354 of FIG. 3 , and via one or more steam transmission lines, e.g., via steam transmission system 356 of FIG. 3 ) to (i) one or more components, plants, etc. for producing hydrogen via electrolysis ("hydrogen production system 890"), and (ii) one or more components, plants, etc. for producing sodium formate ("sodium formate production system 891"). Power plant system 350 may also generate electricity and send the electricity to power grid 861. With reference to FIGS. 4A and 8A , hydrogen production system 890 via electrolysis may include hydrogen and oxygen production plant 462, hydrogen storage facility 464, and oxygen storage facility 465, as detailed above with reference to FIGS. 4A-4C , and may operate in a similar or identical manner to produce hydrogen. The hydrogen produced may be routed to a first hydrogen fuel cell 866 to regenerate electricity consumed by the power grid 861, such as during periods of peak demand. Referring to Figures 5 and 8A, a sodium formate production system 891 may include the seawater desalination plant 571, brine treatment plant 574, carbon monoxide production plant 573, and sodium formate production plant 572 detailed above with reference to Figure 5, and may operate in a similar or identical manner to produce sodium formate.

[0087] 8A , in some embodiments, the power plant system 350, the hydrogen production system via electrolysis 890, and the sodium formate production system 891 may each be located at a first site 892 local to one another. The first site 892 may include a geographic location or region, such as an ocean location with a supply of seawater or brackish water for desalination via the sodium formate production system 891. The various components may be located within 0.25 miles (0.4 km), 0.5 miles (0.8 km), 2 miles (3.22 km), 3 miles (4.82 km), or 5 miles (8.1 km) of one another. In some embodiments, the power plant system 350 includes four, six, 12, or a different number of nuclear reactors 300 ( FIG. 3 ) and has a power output of 300 to 1000 megawatts of electricity (MWe). In some embodiments, the power plant system 350 may output approximately 200 to 600 MWe and approximately 1000 to 3000 megawatts thermal (MWt).

[0088] In the illustrated embodiment, the produced sodium formate may be shipped from first site 892 to a remote (e.g., off-site, non-local) second site 893. In the illustrated embodiment, integrated energy system 860 further includes, at second site 893, one or more sodium formate storage facilities 867, one or more sodium formate processing plants 863, one or more second hydrogen fuel cells 868, and one or more local electric loads 894. In some embodiments, local electric loads 894 are powered by power grid 861 and / or other power sources during normal operation. Local electric loads 894 may include one or more industrial processing plants, direct air capture plants, and / or the like. Sodium formate processing plant 863 operates similarly or identically to sodium formate processing plant 463 and / or sodium formate processing plant 563 described in detail above with reference to FIGS. 4A-5 and can utilize electricity and / or steam from power plant system 350, power grid 861, and / or other sources to process sodium formate from sodium formate storage facility 867 to produce hydrogen and other chemical by-products (such as sodium carbonate (per equation (2) above), sodium bicarbonate (per equation (4) above), sodium oxalate, and / or other chemicals). The resulting hydrogen produced by sodium formate processing plant 863 can be routed (e.g., as an energy carrier) to second hydrogen fuel cell 868 and used to generate electricity as described in detail above with reference to FIGS. 4A-4C. More specifically, the electricity generated from the hydrogen by second hydrogen fuel cell 868 can be routed to local electrical loads 894 at second site 893 and / or to power grid 861.

[0089] In some embodiments, the heat generated from the second hydrogen fuel cell 868 may be routed to the sodium formate processing plant 863 for use in processing the sodium formate to produce hydrogen. For example, the heat generated from the electricity may be used during the initial start-up of the sodium formate processing plant 863, and then used to process the sodium formate to produce hydrogen. The heat generated from the hydrogen fuel cell 868 may be used to at least partially sustain the sodium formate reaction during operation.

[0090] In some embodiments of the present technology, the sodium formate produced by the sodium formate production system 891 is a salt that can be easily and safely transported from a first site 892 to a second site 893 and stored at the second site 893. For example, the sodium formate can be transported from the first site 892 to the second site 893 via truck, tractor, rail, and / or the like. The second site 893 can be located more than 8.1 km (5 miles), more than 15 km (9.3 miles), more than 30 km (18.6 miles), more than 50 km (31.1 miles), more than 100 km (62.1 miles), more than 500 km (310.7 miles), or more from the first site.

[0091] In some embodiments, power plant system 350 may be controlled to selectively provide different amounts of electricity and / or steam to (i) power grid 861, (ii) hydrogen production system via electrolysis 890, and (iii) sodium formate production system 891 based on demand on power grid 861 to support an energy imbalance market (EIM). For example, Figures 8B and 8C are schematic diagrams of integrated energy system 860 configured for off-peak hours (e.g., a first demand state on power grid 861) and peak hours (e.g., typically during a four-hour period between 6 PM and 10 PM; e.g., a second demand state on power grid 861 that is greater than the first demand state on power grid 861), respectively, in accordance with embodiments of the present technology.

[0092] 8B , during off-peak hours, power plant system 350 may be controlled to have a first operational state in which power plant system 350 provides excess electricity and steam to (i) hydrogen production via electrolysis system 890 to produce hydrogen (as an energy carrier) and oxygen for short-term storage, and / or (ii) sodium formate production system 891 to produce sodium formate. The sodium formate may subsequently be transported from first site 892 to second site 893 and stored in sodium formate storage facility 867.

[0093] 8C , during peak hours or other periods of excessive or unexpected demand, the power plant system 350 may be controlled to have a second operating state different from the first operating state in which much (e.g., all) of the electricity may be routed from the power plant system 350 to the power grid 861. Additionally, a first hydrogen fuel cell 866 may be operated at the first site 892 to produce additional electricity from hydrogen produced during off-peak hours to generate additional electricity for the power grid 861. Similarly, a sodium formate processing plant 863 may be operated at the second site 893 to produce hydrogen. A second hydrogen fuel cell 868 may produce electricity from the hydrogen to be routed to the power grid 861 and / or local electric loads 894, thereby reducing demand on the power grid 861.

[0094] 8A-8C, the integrated energy system 860 can (i) route excess steam and electricity from the power plant system 350 to hydrogen production via electrolysis system 890 to produce hydrogen and to sodium formate production system 891 to produce sodium formate during off-peak hours when demand on the power grid 861 is low, and then (ii) utilize the produced hydrogen as well as hydrogen produced on-site at second site 893 from sodium formate via sodium formate processing plant 863 to regenerate electricity via first hydrogen fuel cell 866 and second hydrogen fuel cell 868 to meet the high demand on the power grid 861 during peak hours and / or other unexpected sudden demands.

[0095] In some embodiments of the present technology, some of the multiple reactors 300 ( FIG. 3 ) of the power plant system 350 may be dynamically switched from producing electricity that is routed to the power grid 861 to producing steam and / or electricity used in hydrogen production via the electrolysis system 890 that produces hydrogen and the sodium formate production system 891 that produces sodium formate. Thus, the modularity of the reactors 300 allows the power plant system 350 to flexibly / dynamically switch the output of electricity and steam from individual ones of the multiple reactors 300 based on the demands of the integrated energy system 860 (e.g., the power grid 861).

[0096] Additionally, one or more of the multiple reactors 300 may be individually taken offline for maintenance, refueling, etc., while the remainder of the reactors 300 may continue to produce steam and / or electricity. Thus, power plant system 350 may continue to provide steam and electricity to grid 861, hydrogen production via electrolysis system 890, and / or sodium formate production system 891, even during maintenance, refueling, etc. In contrast, a conventional reactor system must be completely shut down during such procedures, with neither steam nor electricity being available.

[0097] In some embodiments of the present technology, the integrated energy system 860 may be highly efficient and may produce little to no carbon emissions. In contrast, conventional systems for producing hydrogen and / or sodium formate typically rely on steam methane reforming, in which natural gas is reacted with high-temperature steam to produce carbon monoxide and hydrogen. Steam methane reforming has a high carbon footprint, typically producing approximately 9.3 kg of carbon dioxide per kilogram (kg) of hydrogen produced.

[0098] 4A through 8C, various components can be combined and / or omitted to form integrated energy systems with different configurations. For example, an integrated energy system according to the present technology may be configured to selectively supply electricity to a power grid and supply electricity and / or steam to a sodium formate production process without routing electricity and steam to a hydrogen production process via electrolysis. That is, for example, hydrogen production via electrolysis system 890 can be omitted from integrated energy system 860 shown in FIG. 8.

[0099] 4A through 8C, each of the arrows indicating the routing / transportation of steam, electricity, sodium formate, hydrogen, oxygen, sodium hydroxide, chlorine, and other chemical products may represent a portion of the overall production path of each component. For example, referring to FIG. 4A, power plant system 350 may route a first portion of the electricity generated by power plant system 350 to power grid 461, route a second portion of the electricity to hydrogen and oxygen production plant 462, route a third portion of the electricity to sodium formate processing plant 463, and so on. Similarly, referring to FIG. 5, integrated energy system 560 may route a first portion of the hydrogen produced by brine processing plant 574 and / or sodium formate processing plant 563 to hydrochloric acid production plant 577, and route a second portion of the hydrogen as an energy carrier to other uses.

[0100] Additionally, although reference is typically made herein to the production of "steam," the power plant system 350 may be used to produce other gases. For example, other fluids may be heated to produce gases other than steam that may be fed into the multiple reactors 300 (FIG. 3) and routed to various components of the integrated energy system.

[0101] III. Additional Examples

[0102] The following examples illustrate some embodiments of the present technology. [Example 1] 1. An integrated energy system comprising: an electrical grid having a first demand condition and a second demand condition greater than the first demand condition; a sodium formate production system configured to produce sodium formate; a power plant system operably coupled to the power grid and the sodium formate production system; Including, the power plant system includes a plurality of nuclear reactors and a power conversion system, each of the nuclear reactors configured to heat a coolant to steam, the power plant system configured to have a first operating state during the first demand state of the electrical grid, wherein in the first operating state (a) the steam from a first subset of the nuclear reactors is routed to the power conversion system to generate electricity that is routed to the electrical grid, and (b) the steam from a second subset of the nuclear reactors is routed to the sodium formate production system for use in producing the sodium formate and / or is routed to the power conversion system to generate electricity that is routed to the sodium formate production system for use in producing the sodium formate; the power plant system is configured to have a second operating state different from the first operating state during the second demand state of the power grid, wherein the steam from at least one of the nuclear reactors in the second subset is routed to the power conversion system to generate electricity that is routed to the power grid. [Example 2] 2. The integrated energy system of Example 1, further comprising a sodium formate processing plant configured to receive the sodium formate produced by the sodium formate production system and process the sodium formate to produce hydrogen. [Example 3] 3. The integrated energy system of Example 2, wherein the sodium formate production system and the power plant system are located locally from each other at a first site, and the sodium formate processing plant is located at a second site remote from the first site. [Example 4] 4. The integrated energy system of Example 3, further comprising a hydrogen fuel cell disposed at the second site to receive the hydrogen produced by the sodium formate processing plant, the hydrogen fuel cell configured to process the hydrogen to generate electricity. [Example 5] the hydrogen fuel cell is operably coupled to the electric grid, and the sodium formate processing plant is configured to process the sodium formate to produce the hydrogen during the second demand state of the electric grid; 5. The integrated energy system of Example 4, wherein the hydrogen fuel cell is configured to process the hydrogen to generate the electricity and route the electricity to the power grid. [Example 6] the sodium formate processing plant configured to process the sodium formate to produce the hydrogen during the second demand state of the electrical grid; 6. The integrated energy system of Example 4 or Example 5, wherein the hydrogen fuel cell is configured to process the hydrogen to generate the electricity and route the electricity to at least one electrical load located at the second site. [Example 7] The sodium formate production system comprises: a desalination plant arranged to receive seawater or brackish water, the desalination plant operably coupled to the power plant system, the desalination plant configured to receive the steam from the second subset of reactors and / or the electricity from the second subset of reactors during the first demand state of the power grid, and to process the seawater or brackish water using the steam and / or the electricity to produce brine and clean water; a brine processing plant positioned to receive the brine from the desalination plant, the brine processing plant configured to process the brine to produce sodium hydroxide; a sodium formate production plant arranged to receive the sodium hydroxide from the brine treatment plant and to receive carbon monoxide from a carbon monoxide source, the sodium formate production plant configured to process the sodium hydroxide and the carbon monoxide to produce the sodium formate; 7. The integrated energy system of any one of Examples 1 to 6, comprising: [Example 8] 8. The integrated energy system of Example 7, wherein the desalination plant is located near a coastal location and / or a brackish water location. [Example 9] 9. The integrated energy system of any one of Examples 1 to 8, wherein the power plant system is floating. [Example 10] further comprising an electrolysis system operably coupled to the power plant; the steam from the third subset of reactors is routed to the electrolysis system and / or the power conversion system to generate electricity that is routed to the electrolysis system in the first operating state of the power plant system; 10. The integrated energy system of any one of Examples 1 to 9, wherein the electrolysis system is configured to utilize the steam and / or electricity from the third subset of reactors in an electrolysis process to produce hydrogen. [Example 11] The integrated energy system of Example 10, wherein the electrolysis process is a high-temperature steam electrolysis process. [Example 12] 12. The integrated energy system of Example 10 or Example 11, wherein in the second operating state of the power plant system, steam from at least one of the reactors in the third subset is routed to the power conversion system to generate electricity that is routed to the power grid. [Example 13] 13. The integrated energy system of any one of Examples 10 to 12, further comprising a hydrogen fuel cell disposed to receive the hydrogen produced by the electrolysis system, wherein during the second demand state of the electric grid, the hydrogen fuel cell is configured to process the hydrogen to generate electricity and route the electricity to the electric grid. [Example 14] 1. An integrated energy system comprising: a power plant system including a plurality of nuclear reactors configured to generate steam power and electrical power; a desalination plant arranged to receive seawater or brackish water and operably coupled to the power plant system, the desalination plant configured to receive the first location of the steam output and / or the first location of the electrical output and to process the seawater or brackish water using the first location of the steam output and / or the first location of the electrical output to produce brine and purified water; a brine processing plant operably coupled to the desalination plant, the brine processing plant configured to receive the brine from the desalination plant and process the brine to produce sodium hydroxide; a sodium formate production plant configured to receive the sodium hydroxide from the brine treatment plant and to receive carbon monoxide from a carbon monoxide source; Including, the sodium formate production plant is operably coupled to the power plant system and configured to receive and use the second portion of the steam output and / or the second portion of the electrical output to process the sodium hydroxide and the carbon monoxide to produce sodium formate. [Example 15] 15. The integrated energy system of Example 14, wherein the brine treatment plant is configured to treat the brine using a chlor-alkali membrane electrolysis process to produce the sodium hydroxide. [Example 16] 16. The integrated energy system of Example 14 or Example 15, further comprising the carbon monoxide source, the carbon monoxide source comprising a carbon monoxide production plant, the carbon monoxide production plant operably coupled to the power plant system and configured to receive and use the third portion of the steam output and / or the third portion of the electrical output to process carbon dioxide to produce the carbon monoxide. [Example 17] 17. The integrated energy system of any one of Examples 14 to 16, wherein the sodium formate production plant includes a reaction chamber disposed to receive the carbon monoxide and the sodium hydroxide, and the sodium formate production plant is configured to utilize the second portion of the steam output and / or the second portion of the electrical output to heat the reaction chamber to about 130°C and pressurize the reaction chamber to between about 6 and 8 bar, thereby causing the carbon monoxide to be absorbed by the sodium hydroxide to produce the sodium formate. [Example 18] 18. The integrated energy system of any one of Examples 14 to 17, wherein the brine processing plant is further configured to process the brine to produce hydrogen and chlorine, and the integrated energy system further includes a hydrochloric acid production plant configured to receive the hydrogen and chlorine from the brine processing plant, receive the purified water from the desalination plant, and process the hydrogen, the chlorine, and the purified water to produce hydrochloric acid. [Example 19] 19. The integrated energy system of any one of Examples 14 to 18, wherein the power plant system and the desalination plant are located locally to one another. [Example 20] 1. A method of operating an integrated energy system that supplies electricity to an electrical grid, the integrated energy system including a power plant having a plurality of nuclear reactors and a power conversion system, each of the nuclear reactors configured to heat a coolant to steam; The method comprises: configuring the power plant system to have a first operating state during the first demand state of the electrical grid, wherein in the first operating state (a) the steam from a first subset of the nuclear reactors is routed to the power conversion system to generate electricity that is routed to the electrical grid, and (b) the steam from a second subset of the nuclear reactors is routed to the sodium formate production system for use in producing the sodium formate and / or is routed to the power conversion system to generate electricity that is routed to the sodium formate production system for use in producing the sodium formate; configuring the power plant system to have a second operating state different from the first operating state during a second demand state on the power grid that is greater than the first demand state, wherein the steam from at least one of the reactors in the second subset is routed to the power conversion system to generate electricity that is routed to the power grid; A method comprising:

[0103] IV. Summary

[0104] All numerical values ​​herein are assumed to be modified by the term about, whether explicitly stated or not. The term about, in the context of numerical values, generally refers to a range of numbers that one of ordinary skill in the art would consider equal to the stated value (e.g., having the same function and / or result). For example, the term about may refer to the stated value plus or minus 10 percent. For example, use of the term about 100 may refer to a range of 90 to 110. Where the context requires otherwise, and / or where relative terms are used with reference to something that does not include or relate to numerical values, the terms are to be given their ordinary meaning to those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0105] The above detailed description of embodiments of the present technology is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present technology to the precise form disclosed above. While specific embodiments and examples of the present technology have been described above for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will recognize that various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the present technology. For example, while multiple steps may be presented in a given order, in other embodiments, the steps may be performed in a different order. The various embodiments described herein may be combined to provide further embodiments.

[0106] It will be appreciated from the foregoing that, although specific embodiments of the present technology have been described herein for illustrative purposes, well-known structures and functions have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of the embodiments of the present technology. Where the context allows, singular or plural terms may include the plural or singular term, respectively.

[0107] As used herein, the term "and / or" in "A and / or B" refers to A alone, B alone, and both A and B. Additionally, the terms "comprises" and "comprises" are used throughout to mean the inclusion of at least the recited feature(s), and do not exclude additional variations of more of the same and / or other features. It should also be understood that, although specific embodiments have been described herein for illustrative purposes, various modifications may be made without departing from the present technology. Furthermore, while advantages associated with some embodiments of the present technology have been described in the context of these embodiments, other embodiments may also exhibit such advantages, and not all embodiments necessarily indicate that such advantages fall within the scope of the present technology. Thus, the present disclosure and related technology may encompass other embodiments not explicitly shown or described herein.

Claims

1. 1. An integrated energy system comprising: an electrical grid having a first demand condition and a second demand condition greater than the first demand condition; a sodium formate production system configured to produce sodium formate; a power plant system operably coupled to the power grid and the sodium formate production system; Including, the power plant system includes a plurality of nuclear reactors and a power conversion system, each of the nuclear reactors configured to heat a coolant to steam; the power plant system is configured to have a first operating state during the first demand state of the electrical grid, in which (a) the steam from a first subset of the nuclear reactors is routed to the power conversion system to generate electricity that is routed to the electrical grid, and (b) the steam from a second subset of the nuclear reactors is routed to the sodium formate production system for use in producing the sodium formate and / or is routed to the power conversion system to generate electricity that is routed to the sodium formate production system for use in producing the sodium formate; the power plant system is configured to have a second operating state different from the first operating state during the second demand state of the power grid, wherein the steam from at least one of the nuclear reactors in the second subset is routed to the power conversion system to generate electricity that is routed to the power grid.

2. 10. The integrated energy system of claim 1, further comprising a sodium formate processing plant configured to receive the sodium formate produced by the sodium formate production system and process the sodium formate to produce hydrogen.

3. 3. The integrated energy system of claim 2, wherein the sodium formate production system and the power plant system are located locally from each other at a first site, and the sodium formate processing plant is located at a second site remote from the first site.

4. 4. The integrated energy system of claim 3, further comprising a hydrogen fuel cell disposed at the second site to receive the hydrogen produced by the sodium formate processing plant, the hydrogen fuel cell configured to process the hydrogen to generate electricity.

5. the hydrogen fuel cell is operably coupled to the electrical grid, and the sodium formate processing plant is configured to process the sodium formate to produce the hydrogen during the second demand state of the electrical grid; 5. The integrated energy system of claim 4, wherein the hydrogen fuel cell is configured to process the hydrogen to produce the electricity and route the electricity to the power grid.

6. the sodium formate processing plant configured to process the sodium formate to produce the hydrogen during the second demand state on the electrical grid; 5. The integrated energy system of claim 4, wherein the hydrogen fuel cell is configured to process the hydrogen to generate the electricity and distribute the electricity to at least one electrical load located at the second site.

7. The sodium formate production system comprises: a desalination plant arranged to receive seawater or brackish water, the desalination plant operably coupled to the power plant system, the desalination plant configured to receive the steam from the second subset of reactors and / or the electricity from the second subset of reactors during the first demand state of the power grid, and to process the seawater or brackish water using the steam and / or the electricity to produce brine and clean water; a brine processing plant positioned to receive the brine from the desalination plant, the brine processing plant configured to process the brine to produce sodium hydroxide; a sodium formate production plant arranged to receive the sodium hydroxide from the brine treatment plant and to receive carbon monoxide from a carbon monoxide source, the sodium formate production plant configured to process the sodium hydroxide and the carbon monoxide to produce the sodium formate; 10. The integrated energy system of claim 1, comprising:

8. 10. The integrated energy system of claim 7, wherein the desalination plant is located near a coastal location and / or a brackish water location.

9. The integrated energy system of claim 1 , wherein the power plant system is floating.

10. further comprising an electrolysis system operably coupled to the power plant; the steam from a third subset of the reactors is routed to the electrolysis system and / or the power conversion system to generate electricity that is routed to the electrolysis system in the first operating state of the power plant system; 10. The integrated energy system of claim 1, wherein the electrolysis system is configured to utilize the steam and / or electricity from the third subset of reactors in an electrolysis process to produce hydrogen.

11. 11. The integrated energy system of claim 10, wherein the electrolysis process is a high temperature steam electrolysis process.

12. 101. The integrated energy system of claim 100, wherein in the second operating state of the power plant system, steam from at least one of the nuclear reactors in the third subset is routed to the power conversion system to generate electricity that is routed to the power grid.

13. 11. The integrated energy system of claim 10, further comprising a hydrogen fuel cell disposed to receive the hydrogen produced by the electrolysis system, wherein during the second demand state of the electric grid, the hydrogen fuel cell is configured to process the hydrogen to generate electricity and distribute the electricity to the electric grid.

14. 1. An integrated energy system comprising: a power plant system including a plurality of nuclear reactors configured to generate steam power and electrical power; a desalination plant arranged to receive seawater or brackish water and operably coupled to the power plant system, the desalination plant configured to receive the first location of the steam output and / or the first location of the electrical output and to treat the seawater or brackish water using the first location of the steam output and / or the first location of the electrical output to produce brine and purified water; a brine processing plant operably coupled to the desalination plant, the brine processing plant configured to receive the brine from the desalination plant and process the brine to produce sodium hydroxide; a sodium formate production plant configured to receive the sodium hydroxide from the brine treatment plant and to receive carbon monoxide from a carbon monoxide source; Including, the sodium formate production plant is operably coupled to the power plant system and configured to receive and use the second portion of the steam output and / or the second portion of the electrical output to process the sodium hydroxide and the carbon monoxide to produce sodium formate.

15. 15. The integrated energy system of claim 14, wherein the brine treatment plant is configured to treat the brine using a chlor-alkali membrane electrolysis process to produce the sodium hydroxide.

16. further comprising said carbon monoxide source; 15. The integrated energy system of claim 14, wherein the carbon monoxide source includes a carbon monoxide production plant operably coupled to the power plant system and configured to receive and use the third portion of the steam output and / or the third portion of the electrical output to process carbon dioxide to produce the carbon monoxide.

17. 15. The integrated energy system of claim 14, wherein the sodium formate production plant includes a reaction chamber disposed to receive the carbon monoxide and the sodium hydroxide, and wherein the sodium formate production plant is configured to utilize the second portion of the steam output and / or the second portion of the electrical output to heat the reaction chamber to about 130°C and pressurize the reaction chamber to between about 6 and 8 bar, whereby the carbon monoxide is absorbed by the sodium hydroxide to produce the sodium formate.

18. 15. The integrated energy system of claim 14, wherein the brine processing plant is further configured to process the brine to produce hydrogen and chlorine, and the integrated energy system further includes a hydrochloric acid production plant configured to receive the hydrogen and chlorine from the brine processing plant, receive the purified water from the desalination plant, and process the hydrogen, the chlorine, and the purified water to produce hydrochloric acid.

19. The integrated energy system of claim 14 , wherein the power plant system and the desalination plant are located locally to each other.

20. 1. A method of operating an integrated energy system that supplies electricity to an electrical grid, the integrated energy system including a power plant having a plurality of nuclear reactors and a power conversion system, each of the nuclear reactors configured to heat a coolant to steam; The method comprises: configuring the power plant system to have a first operating state during the first demand state of the electrical grid, wherein in the first operating state (a) the steam from a first subset of the nuclear reactors is routed to the power conversion system to generate electricity that is routed to the electrical grid, and (b) the steam from a second subset of the nuclear reactors is routed to the sodium formate production system for use in producing the sodium formate and / or is routed to the power conversion system to generate electricity that is routed to the sodium formate production system for use in producing the sodium formate; configuring the power plant system to have a second operating state different from the first operating state during a second demand state on the power grid that is greater than the first demand state, wherein the steam from at least one of the reactors in the second subset is routed to the power conversion system to generate electricity that is routed to the power grid; A method comprising:

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