Methods and systems for the storage of nuclear energy in increased energy density coal

Abstract

Systems and methods to reduce the emissions of carbon dioxide associated with coal fired power plants by using electricity from a nuclear power plant to power a coal processing plant that reduces the moisture content of coal resulting in an increased energy density beneficiated coal are provided. The system includes a source of electricity from a nuclear power plant; a coal processing plant configured to reduce the moisture content of the coal by a beneficiation process to produce an increased energy density coal; and a coal-fired power plant configured to convert the increased energy density coal to electricity on demand at a higher efficiency with reduced emissions of carbon dioxide.

1 . A system to reduce the emissions of carbon dioxide associated with coal fired power plants by using electricity from a nuclear power plant to power a coal processing plant that reduces the moisture content of coal resulting in an increased energy density beneficiated coal comprising:
 a source of electricity from a nuclear power plant;   a coal processing plant configured to reduce the moisture content of the coal by a beneficiation process to produce an increased energy density coal; and   a coal-fired power plant configured to convert the increased energy density coal to electricity on demand at a higher efficiency with reduced emissions of carbon dioxide.   
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the coal processing plant is configured to utilize energy selected from microwave energy and mechanical energy including compression to reduce the moisture content of the coal. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising electricity from a renewable electrical energy source selected from hydroelectric power, solar power, wind power, and wave power, and combinations thereof configured to supplement the electricity generated by the source of nuclear energy for beneficiating and drying the coal. 
     
     
         5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a supplemental source of thermal energy selected from the combustion of fossil fuels, waste heat, and a source of non-carbon thermal energy configured to be used in the beneficiation process to supplement the source of electricity from the nuclear power plant supplied to the coal processing plant. 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 6  wherein the non-carbon thermal energy source is selected from a solar thermal energy source, a geothermal energy source, a biomass energy source and combinations of the foregoing. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1  wherein a location of the coal processing plant is selected from a coal mine, a coal transportation terminal including ships, barges, rail and trucks, a coal-fired power plant, a same site as the non-carbon thermal energy source and combinations of the foregoing. 
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the coal processing plant is integrated with a coal-fired power plant and shares use of coal handling, coal crushing and coal conveying equipment. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said increased energy density coal is configured to be stored, transported and later combusted to produce said electricity on demand. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 6  wherein the supplemental thermal energy source is configured to preheat the coal prior to processing. 
     
     
         16 . A system to store electricity generated by a nuclear power plant by using the electricity to power a coal processing plant to decrease the moisture content of coal resulting in an increased energy density beneficiated coal that can be later combusted to produce electricity on demand comprising:
 electrical energy from a nuclear power plant;   a coal preparation plant, wherein the electrical energy from the nuclear power plant is stored in an increased energy density beneficiated coal; and   a coal-fired power plant configured to recover the stored energy by combusting the coal to produce electricity on demand at an increased efficiency.   
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 16  wherein the coal processing plant is configured to use energy selected from microwave energy and mechanical energy including compression to decrease the moisture content of the coal. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 16  further comprising a renewable electrical energy source selected from hydroelectric power, solar power, wind power, and wave power, and combinations thereof for supplementing the electricity generated by the source of nuclear energy to beneficiate and dry the coal. 
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 16  further comprising a source of thermal energy selected from a combustion of fossil fuels, waste heat, a non-carbon thermal energy source and combinations of the foregoing to supplement the electricity generated by the source of nuclear energy to beneficiate and dry the coal. 
     
     
         22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 21  wherein the non-carbon thermal energy source is selected from a solar thermal energy source, a geothermal energy source, a biomass energy source and combinations of the foregoing. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 16  wherein a location of the coal processing plant is selected from a coal mine, a coal transportation terminal including ships, barges, rail, and trucks, a coal-fired power plant, a same site as the non-carbon thermal energy source and combinations of the foregoing. 
     
     
         27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 16  wherein the coal processing plant is integrated with a coal-fired power plant and shares use of coal handling, coal crushing and coal conveying equipment. 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 16  wherein said increased energy density beneficiated coal is configured to be stored, transported and later combusted to produce said electricity on demand. 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 21  wherein the source of thermal energy source is configured to preheat the coal prior to processing.