Nuclear power could bring down the cost of Direct Air Capture, according to DOE report
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Nuclear power could bring down the cost of Direct Air Capture, according to DOE report

Nuclear reactors and carbon dioxide removal technologies like direct air capture (DAC) could make a good match, according to a new report by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).

Direct air capture, with its fans, pumps, compressors, water cooling systems and air separation units, is an energy-intensive process that leads to high costs.

However, the DOE study revealed that advanced nuclear reactors could reduce the cost of certain DAC methods by up to 13% compared to non-nuclear systems.

Researchers assessed three advanced reactor types in combination with low-temperature solid sorbent and high-temperature liquid solvent direct air capture systems, comparing them to fossil fuel-powered alternatives.

The reactors evaluated were an advanced pressurized water reactor, a sodium-cooled fast reactor and a very high temperature reactor.

Researchers found the continuous and carbon-free output from nuclear reactors would benefit direct air capture, reducing costs by up to 13% for solid systems and up to 7% for liquid systems.

Future research will explore optimal system configurations, including using heat from reactors for liquid direct air capture and compatibility with emerging carbon capture technologies.

Researchers also found potential benefits for using nuclear energy with other negative emission technologies, including CO2 capture using biomass, seawater and basalt rocks.

The study was conducted by DOE’s Office of Nuclear Energy Systems Analysis & Integration campaign, along with contributions from researchers from Argonne National Laboratory, Idaho National Laboratory and the National Energy Technology Laboratory.

Read the full report here

DOE recently announced more than $1 billion to develop two commercial direct air capture facilities in Texas and Louisiana through its DAC program funded through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).

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