Underground Biogas Storage via Well Injection and Compression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Biogas, primarily composed of methane and carbon dioxide, cannot be stored economically in tanks due to the presence of contaminants, posing environmental and energy utilization challenges.
Innovation Solution
Biogas is injected into underground wells using compressors to achieve sufficient pressure for storage within geological formations, allowing for the separation and extraction of methane for energy use while minimizing environmental impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If biogas is stored in tanks, then storage capacity is achieved, but economic viability is lost due to contaminants
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful contaminants (carbon dioxide, nonmethane organics, and other impurities) from the biogas before storage. This is achieved through a cleaning system that removes these contaminants, allowing the biogas to be stored economically in underground formations without the economic penalty of storing contaminated gas in above-ground tanks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from above-ground tank storage to underground formation storage, moving the storage medium from surface to subsurface dimension. This dimensional change enables economical storage of biogas by utilizing natural underground formations rather than requiring expensive above-ground infrastructure.
2Ease of operation
If biogas is released to atmosphere, then immediate disposal is achieved, but environmental harm and greenhouse gas emissions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful biogas that would otherwise be released to the atmosphere into a beneficial stored resource. By capturing, cleaning, and storing the biogas underground, the system transforms an environmental liability into a recoverable energy resource, eliminating greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining operational simplicity.
3Ease of manufacture
If biogas is cleaned to remove contaminants, then storage viability is improved, but process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cleaning system as an intermediary between biogas collection and storage. This intermediary component removes contaminants through a process that may include absorption, adsorption, or chemical treatment, enabling the biogas to meet storage requirements without requiring overly complex processing equipment.
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 cost-effective underground storage and utilization of biogas, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating local environmental impacts by allowing for the collection and use of a renewable energy source.
Implementation Method 1
Biogas is injected into wells using, for example, blowers or compressors to pressurize the biogas to a sufficient pressure for storage of the biogas in the well, and within formations beyond the well.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for producing purified biogas are disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention, a method includes collecting biogas from a landfill, transporting the biogas to a first well, injecting the biogas into the first well, and pressurizing the first well to store the biogas.