Cogeneration of electricity and liquid fuels using a high temperature gas-cooled reactor as the heat source

•Cogeneration of electricity and liquid fuels is technically feasible.•Cogeneration provides substantial return on investment and reduces prices.•Cogeneration reduces emissions, improves energy security and create jobs. A thermal-hydraulic model of high temperature gas-cooled reactor used for cogeneration of electricity and liquid transportation fuels was developed using Aspen HYSYS. The model transfers heat through: (1) a steam generator to a supercritical Rankine cycle producing electricity, and (2) an intermediate heat exchanger to a biomass gasifier and Fischer-Tropsch process producing gasoline, jet fuel, diesel, liquefied petroleum gas and/or naphtha. The individual systems and components in the cogeneration model are mature technologies and commercially available, because minimizing the need for additional innovation increases the overall probability of success for a new and unique hybrid system. Technical evaluations of cogeneration on the island of Oahu in the State of Hawaii, using eucalyptus and sugarcane as the biomass feedstock, indicated that high thermal efficiency was achievable and that the concept is technically viable. Economic evaluations of cogeneration, based on construction and finance costs and current electricity and liquid fuel prices, indicated that the cogeneration plant is economically viable. Additional analyses quantified the potential number of jobs created and the reduction in carbon emissions. Further analyses indicated that cogeneration would significantly enhance Hawaii’s energy security.