This project performs a feasibility study and cost-benefit analysis of an integrated energy system
consisting of a nuclear power plant with zero-liquid-discharge (ZLD) production of power, distillate, and
mined commodities. This work paves the way for addressing freshwater scarcity while simultaneously
producing electric power and economically mining high-value minerals. Seawater contains a wide variety
of minerals including Rb, Li, Mg, K, Na, Ca, Br, and U, many of which may be at or close to economically
feasible extraction at current prices. However, it is also recognized that extraction of multiple minerals
simultaneously will improve economic feasibility and that higher concentration brine streams improve
the economics of extraction. Desalination is a means of addressing water scarcity, although discharge of
concentrated brine presents environmental concerns. ZLD can mitigate this at increased cost and energy
consumption, but integration with nuclear enables a multi-stage process combining thermal and electrical technologies. The high brine concentrations in ZLD presents an exciting opportunity for added value by way of mineral extraction.
OBJECTIVES:
- Objective 1: Specify the desalination and mining system including methods for clean water production, seawater concentration and mineral extraction. Mass flows, temperatures and energy & chemical balances will be derived using steady-state models leveraging Modelica and the WaterTAP toolkits.
- Objective 2: Heat and electricity extraction from the power cycle will be optimized to balance energy consumption with water production and purity. Siting aspects will also be investigated, including configuration of the joint facility and possible location options.
- Objective 3: A pilot experimental study will be performed to validate/demonstrate the ZLD system for seawater mining.
The HERD Lab is involved in the design, and characterization of the membrane-based selective separation systems which include the use of thermally-integrated electrochemical devices such as electrodialysis, and bipolar membranes.