Adsorption Gas Storage Buffering Off-Network Pipeline Demand Swings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Natural gas production systems face challenges in maintaining a constant gas flow rate to extend well lifetime and integrity, as fluctuations in demand due to renewable energy integration require frequent adjustments, leading to well compromise and system instability.
Innovation Solution
An adsorption-based modularized gas storage system integrated with off-network pipelines, downstream of production wells and upstream of power plants, enhances storage capacity and reliability by absorbing demand fluctuations without significant production rate adjustments, using porous adsorbents in vessels operating at lower pressures and without heat management systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the natural gas production rate is adjusted to meet fluctuating power demands, then the gas demand fluctuations are absorbed, but the integrity and lifetime of the natural gas producing wells are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The adsorption-based storage system performs preliminary gas storage during periods of low demand, accumulating natural gas in the porous adsorbent material. This advance preparation allows the system to release stored gas during demand peaks without requiring well production rate adjustments, thereby maintaining well integrity while meeting power plant demands
Solution Approach 2:
The modularized storage system acts as an intermediary buffer between the natural gas producing wells and the gas-based power plant. This intermediate storage capacity decouples the wells from direct demand fluctuations, allowing wells to operate at constant rates while the storage system absorbs and releases gas to match power plant requirements
2Duration of action of stationary object
If the natural gas production rate is reduced to maintain well integrity, then the well lifetime is extended, but the ability to meet peak power demands is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary gas accumulation in the adsorption storage units during low-demand periods when well production can operate at optimal rates. This stored gas is then released during peak demand periods, allowing the wells to maintain steady production rates that extend their lifetime while still meeting peak power plant requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The storage system changes the operational parameters by storing gas at lower pressures (less than 500 psi) where adsorption capacity is optimized, then releasing at higher pressures when needed. This parameter transformation allows the system to decouple storage capacity from well production rate constraints
3Quantity of substance
If traditional gas storage methods are used, then the storage capacity is limited, but the system complexity and footprint are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs porous adsorbent materials with high surface area to volume ratios, such as activated carbon or metal-organic frameworks, packed in modular vessels. These materials provide exceptional gas storage capacity through adsorption mechanisms, achieving three times the storage capacity of conventional methods while maintaining a compact, modular system architecture that simplifies integration into existing pipeline infrastructure
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system increases storage capacity up to three times, reduces operational complexity, and ensures continuous gas supply during well shutdowns, minimizing pressure fluctuations and extending well lifetime.
Implementation Method 1
a porous adsorbent packed in an adsorption vessel for gas storage, which can increase the natural gas content in the vessel over three times relative to an adsorbent-free vessel at the same pressure
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to systems and methods where an adsorption-based modularized gas storage system is integrated with existing off-network gas distribution pipelines, which can increase the system reliability and robustness for delivering gas. The modularized gas storage system is placed downstream of a natural gas producing well and upstream of a gas-based power plant. The modularized gas storage system can increase the capacity of the overall network, which can allow the pipeline network to absorb the fluctuations in gas demand with little if any need to adjust gas production rate and/or while sacrificing little if any survival time. The storage system can also release the stored gas in the case of an urgent need for gas (e.g., due to a shutdown of a natural gas producing well) to satisfy a desired survival time.