Aquifer CO2 Sequestration via Interstitial Pore Trapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for carbon dioxide sequestration in aquifers face challenges, including the risk of CO2 escaping back to the surface and the inefficiency of dissolving CO2 in water, which limits storage capacity and poses environmental risks.
Innovation Solution
Injecting a CO2 stream into porous rock formations through horizontal wells and ensuring the CO2 stream is laterally dispersible, allowing it to be trapped in interstitial pores rather than dissolving in water, thereby stabilizing the CO2 and increasing storage capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If CO2 is injected into an aquifer for sequestration, then CO2 storage capacity is improved, but the risk of CO2 escaping back to the surface increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the porous structure of aquifer rock formations to trap CO2 in interstitial pores. The porous material allows CO2 to be distributed and retained within the pore spaces of the rock matrix, preventing escape while maintaining high storage capacity. This is achieved by injecting CO2 into the porous aquifer formation where it becomes physically trapped in the pore structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state parameters of CO2 by injecting it in a controlled manner into the aquifer. By controlling pressure, temperature, and injection rate parameters, the CO2 transitions from a free-gas phase that could escape to a trapped phase within the porous rock matrix, enhancing both storage capacity and containment reliability.
2Quantity of substance
If CO2 is dissolved in water for sequestration, then CO2 can be stored, but the storage capacity and stability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent shifts from relying solely on dissolution in water to utilizing the porous rock matrix for CO2 storage. The interstitial pores of the porous aquifer rock provide extensive surface area and volume for CO2 trapping, dramatically increasing storage capacity beyond what dissolution alone can achieve while enhancing long-term stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the porous rock matrix as an intermediary medium between the injected CO2 and the aqueous environment. Instead of CO2 simply dissolving in water, the porous rock structure acts as a physical barrier and retention mechanism, intercepting CO2 and holding it in the pore spaces, thereby enhancing both capacity and stability.
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
This method effectively prevents CO2 from escaping back to the surface and significantly increases the percentage of CO2 that can be stably sequestered in aquifers compared to methods relying solely on dissolution in water, enhancing the efficiency and safety of carbon capture and storage.
Implementation Method 1
trapping the CO2 in interstitial pores of porous rock
Implementation Method 2
trapping the CO2 in interstitial pores of porous rock
Implementation Method 3
the CO2 dissolves into the aquifer
Implementation Method 4
the CO2 dissolves into the aquifer
Data Source
AI summary
The methods disclosed herein relate to sequestering carbon dioxide in an aquifer by trapping the CO2 in interstitial pores of the aquifer. Trapping the CO2 in the interstitial pores of the aquifer prevents the sequestered CO2 from escaping back to the surface and allows a much larger percentage of a CO2 to be stably sequestered compared to techniques that rely on dissolving the CO2 to achieve stable sequestration.