Nuclear Thermal Carbon Dioxide Sequestration With Dual-Path Heat Allocation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing carbon sequestration systems require energy from hydrocarbon sources, leading to carbon release and inefficient conversion of fuels into electricity, while nuclear reactors produce thermal energy that is often wasted due to variable demand, and existing systems do not effectively reduce atmospheric carbon.
Innovation Solution
A nuclear-powered carbon sequestration system using a heat controller to allocate thermal energy between electricity generation and carbon dioxide sequestration, incorporating chemical reactors and thermocatalysts to convert CO2 into valuable products, and an electrical controller to manage demand fluctuations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If hydrocarbon fuels are used to generate electricity for carbon sequestration, then carbon sequestration can be performed, but carbon is released into the atmosphere and energy conversion efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The nuclear reactor provides thermal energy that serves dual purposes: generating electricity for system operations and providing direct thermal energy for the carbon sequestration process. This self-service approach eliminates the need for external hydrocarbon-based power sources, thereby preventing additional carbon emissions while maintaining energy conversion efficiency
2Adaptability or versatility
If nuclear reactor output is varied to match electricity demand, then electrical demand fluctuations can be met, but reactor wear and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the utilization of nuclear thermal energy into two independent pathways: one for electricity generation that can be modulated to match demand, and another for direct thermal energy application to carbon sequestration that operates continuously. This segmentation allows the reactor to maintain steady full-power operation for reliability while still adapting to electrical demand fluctuations through the electricity generation pathway alone
Solution Approach 2:
The nuclear reactor's thermal energy output serves multiple functions simultaneously: it generates electricity for system operations and provides direct thermal energy for the carbon sequestration process. This multi-functionality allows the system to meet varying electrical demands without requiring the reactor itself to be modulated, thereby maintaining reactor reliability while achieving adaptability
3Reliability
If excess nuclear power is dumped to ground, then reactor operation can remain at full power, but energy waste increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system converts what would otherwise be wasted excess nuclear thermal energy into a beneficial resource for driving the carbon sequestration process. By capturing and utilizing this excess thermal energy, the system transforms energy waste into productive carbon removal, thereby maintaining full reactor power operation while eliminating energy loss
4Temperature
If fossil fuels are combusted to generate thermal energy for sequestration, then thermal energy can be produced, but carbon is released into the atmosphere
Solution Approach 1:
The nuclear reactor provides thermal energy that serves dual purposes: generating electricity for system operations and providing direct thermal energy for the carbon sequestration process. This self-service approach eliminates the need for external hydrocarbon-based power sources, thereby preventing additional carbon emissions while maintaining energy conversion efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for heat produced at a nuclear power plant as the energy source for carbon dioxide sequestration while simultaneously producing electricity. The system includes a nuclear power plant that differs significantly from conventional designs inasmuch as its design is tightly integrated into the carbon dioxide sequestration system. The system generates electricity and sequesters carbon dioxide at the same time. Instead of simply generating electricity from the nuclear reactor and then using that electricity to run a sequestration process, the method is designed to directly provide the requisite thermal energy to the sequestration process, and simultaneously power an electrical generator. Another feature of the system design is a method of optimizing load balancing between the electrical grid and carbon dioxide sequestration.