Co2 utilization in molten salt reactor (msr) for ultra energy efficiency and reduced emissions

Abstract

A system for a carbon neutral cycle of gas production includes a molten salt reactor configured to generate zero carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions electricity. The system includes a desalination unit configured to receive the zero-CO2 emissions electricity from the molten salt reactor and produce a desalinated water. The system includes an electrolysis unit configured to be powered by the zero-CO2 emissions electricity generated by the molten salt reactor and generate hydrogen (H2) and oxygen (O2) from the desalinated water. The system includes an oxy-combustion unit configured to receive and combust a hydrocarbon fuel with the O2 from the electrolysis unit to produce electricity and CO2. The system includes a CO2 capture system adapted to capture the CO2 produced by the oxy-combustion unit and a catalytic hydrogenation unit configured to receive and convert H2 from the electrolysis unit and CO2 from the CO2 capture system to produce the hydrocarbon fuel.

1 . A system for a carbon neutral cycle of natural gas production, the system comprising:
 a molten salt reactor configured to generate zero carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions electricity;   a desalination unit configured to (i) receive the zero-CO 2  emissions electricity from the molten salt reactor and (ii) produce a desalinated water;   an electrolysis unit configured to (i) be powered by the zero-CO 2  emissions electricity generated by the molten salt reactor and (ii) generate hydrogen (H 2 ) and oxygen (O 2 ) from the desalinated water;   an oxy-combustion unit configured to receive and combust a hydrocarbon fuel with the O 2  from the electrolysis unit to produce electricity and carbon dioxide (CO 2 );   a CO 2  capture system adapted to capture the CO 2  produced by the oxy-combustion unit; and   a catalytic hydrogenation unit configured to receive and convert H 2  from the electrolysis unit and CO 2  from the CO 2  capture system to produce the hydrocarbon fuel.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the catalytic hydrogenation unit comprises a catalyst for converting the H 2  and the CO 2  to produce a hydrocarbon fuel that comprises methane. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the catalytic hydrogenation unit comprises a catalyst for converting the H 2  and the CO 2  to produce a hydrocarbon fuel that comprises methanol. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the CO 2  capture system is further configured to receive CO 2  sequestered from a natural gas production unit and/or wherein the CO 2  capture system is configured to capture CO 2  from a raw or partially processed natural gas stream. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a flow line for recovering or outputting at least a portion of the hydrocarbon fuel produced by the catalytic hydrogenation unit as a product. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a flow line for feeding at least a portion of the hydrocarbon fuel produced by the catalytic hydrogenation unit to the oxy-combustion unit. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a flow line for feeding at least a portion of the hydrogen produced by the electrolysis unit to a refinery and/or a hydrogen capture system for recovering the hydrogen produced by the electrolysis unit as a product. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a downstream conversion process configured to receive a portion of the hydrocarbon fuel. 
     
     
         9 .- 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the desalination unit is configured to also produce a high salinity product, the system further comprising a flow line for feeding the high salinity product to an enhanced oil recovery unit.