High-Temperature Co-Electrolysis Syngas Production with Nuclear IGCC Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current syngas production methods are inefficient and have a high carbon footprint, with a need for improved methods that can produce hydrogen and carbon monoxide for synthetic fuels and energy generation while reducing pollutants.

Innovation Solution

Integration of a high-temperature co-electrolysis (HTCE) unit with an integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) power plant and a nuclear reactor, where water and carbon dioxide are co-electrolyzed to produce syngas, oxygen, and excess carbon dioxide, which is then recycled and used in the IGCC power plant to generate electrical energy, reducing carbon emissions and improving efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional syngas production methods are used, then syngas can be produced, but the process is inefficient and has a high carbon footprint

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesyngas production efficiencyVSAvoidcarbon footprint

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines high-temperature co-electrolysis (HTCE) technology with integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) power generation in a single integrated system. The HTCE unit produces syngas while the IGCC system generates electricity from the same feedstock, achieving dual functionality and improving overall efficiency while reducing carbon emissions through coordinated operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated system performs multiple functions simultaneously: the HTCE unit converts water and carbon dioxide into syngas (hydrogen and carbon monoxide), the syngas is used for both chemical synthesis and energy generation, and the IGCC system produces electricity. This multi-functionality maximizes resource utilization and reduces waste

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of manufacture

If high-temperature co-electrolysis is used for syngas production, then hydrogen and carbon monoxide can be produced from water and carbon dioxide, but additional system integration is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesyngas production methodVSAvoidsystem integration

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the HTCE syngas production system with the IGCC power generation system into a single integrated plant. The HTCE unit, reformer, gasifier, and power generation components are combined and coordinated to operate as one unified system, achieving syngas production and energy generation simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated system is designed to be self-sufficient, where the HTCE unit produces syngas that is immediately utilized by the IGCC system for power generation, and the heat and electricity generated are fed back to support the HTCE process. This self-service approach reduces external dependencies and improves overall efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If carbon dioxide is emitted from syngas production, then the process can proceed, but environmental impact increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesyngas production rateVSAvoidenvironmental impact

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful carbon dioxide byproduct into a useful resource. The HTCE unit uses carbon dioxide as a feedstock to produce syngas, and any excess carbon dioxide is captured and utilized in the IGCC system or recycled back to the HTCE unit. This transforms a harmful emission into a valuable input material

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The system recovers and recycles carbon dioxide that would otherwise be discarded as waste. The IGCC system captures carbon dioxide from the syngas production process and either utilizes it for additional power generation or recycles it back to the HTCE unit as feedstock, eliminating waste and reducing environmental impact

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Data Source

PatentUS11142832B2Methods and systems for syngas production and for efficient, flexible energy generation

Publication Date: 2021.10.12 BATTELLE ENERGY ALLIANCE LLC

AI summary

Methods for producing syngas (e.g., H2 and CO) include introducing a stream comprising H2O and CO2 to a high-temperature co-electrolysis (HTCE) unit. A CO2 sweep gas is also introduced to the HTCE unit. Both H2O and CO2 are reduced in the HTCE unit to form the syngas and to form O2 that is swept away from the HTCE unit by the CO2 sweep gas, and the O2 and CO2 are then introduced to a combustion device (e.g., a gasifier), which may be configured to generate electrical power, as a result of combusting a carbonaceous fuel in the presence of the O2 and CO2. The HTCE unit is powered at least in part by power from an electricity-generating sub-system (e.g., at least one nuclear power plant). Related systems are also disclosed.