Basalt CO2 Mineralization Using Parallel Wells and Fluid Recycling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing carbon capture and storage (CCUS) technologies face challenges in efficiently and stably mineralizing carbon dioxide, particularly in subterranean formations, and often require significant amounts of water, limiting their effectiveness and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
Introduce a carbonated aqueous fluid containing carbon dioxide into basaltic formations, allowing it to react with minerals to form mineralized carbon dioxide, which is then deposited, with the produced aqueous fluid being recycled and reintroduced for further mineralization, utilizing a system of injection and production wellbores with specific geometric orientations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If carbon dioxide is mineralized in subterranean formations using conventional methods, then stable storage is achieved, but significant amounts of water are required
Solution Approach 1:
The system recycles produced aqueous fluid back into the carbonation process, allowing the fluid to serve multiple functions. The produced fluid is carbonated again and reintroduced to the subterranean formation for additional mineralization cycles, eliminating the need for continuous fresh water input while maintaining stable CO2 storage
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of discarding the produced aqueous fluid after a single use, the system recovers and recycles it. The fluid is extracted, recarbonated, and reinjected, transforming a single-use resource into a reusable medium that continuously facilitates mineralization without requiring proportional increases in water supply
2Productivity
If carbonated aqueous fluid is introduced through injection wellbores to basaltic formations, then mineralization efficiency is enhanced, but system complexity increases due to wellbore geometry and fluid recycling requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the mineralization process into distinct functional segments: injection wellbores for fluid introduction, production wellbores for fluid extraction, and a central carbonation facility for fluid regeneration. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall system efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback loop where produced aqueous fluid is continuously monitored, recarbonated, and reintroduced to the formation. This closed-loop feedback mechanism maintains optimal mineralization conditions while automatically adjusting fluid composition based on formation responses, enhancing efficiency without requiring constant manual intervention
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 enables stable mineralization of carbon dioxide with reduced water usage, facilitating long-term storage and recycling of produced fluids for enhanced mineralization efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
reacting the carbon dioxide or an ion thereof with the basaltic formation to form mineralized carbon
Implementation Method 2
flowing a mixture of the carbonated aqueous fluid and/or the produced aqueous fluid through one or more formation fractures
Implementation Method 3
depositing the mineralized carbon dioxide within the subterranean formation
Data Source
AI summary
Methods of subterranean carbon dioxide storage may include: introducing, through an injection wellbore to a subterranean formation includes a basaltic formation, a carbonated aqueous fluid; reacting the carbon dioxide or an ion thereof with the basaltic formation to form mineralized carbon and a produced aqueous fluid; flowing a mixture of the carbonated aqueous fluid and/or the produced aqueous fluid through one or more formation fractures; depositing the mineralized carbon dioxide within the subterranean formation; and flowing the produced aqueous fluid from the subterranean formation through a first production wellbore, wherein a portion of the first production wellbore is substantially parallel to a portion of the injection wellbore, and wherein the one or more formation fractures are substantially perpendicular to a portion of the injection wellbore and a portion of the first production wellbore.