Synthesis of Hydrocarbon Fuels Using Renewable and Nuclear Energy

In light of the current issues of carbon control and the desire to become less dependent on imported oil, we propose to apply non-carbon-based energy supplies (renewables and nuclear) to reduction of CO₂ emissions and production of liquid synthetic fuels. To this end we have performed technical and economic analyses of systems ranging from hydrogen augmentation of coal-to-liquids processes, through the use of coal power plant CO₂, to the extraction of atmospheric CO₂ for the production of synthetic fuels. This paper emphasizes the use of nuclear power to provide the hydrogen and energy needed for utilization of coal power plant CO₂ and points toward the closure of the carbon cycle by the ultimate use of atmospheric CO₂.