CO2 Sequestration via Dissolved Injection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for sequestering carbon dioxide are inefficient and costly due to the slow natural weathering process of rocks, which cannot keep pace with carbon dioxide generation, and existing technologies face challenges in separating carbon dioxide from nitrogen and other gases in exhaust gases from electricity generating facilities.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the separation of carbon dioxide from nitrogen and other gases using compression and bubbling through water, followed by mixing with water to form a high-concentration carbon dioxide solution, which is then injected under high pressure into fractured and cracked rock formations to accelerate the conversion of carbon dioxide into stable carbonates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If carbon dioxide is stored under high pressure in depleted oil or gas wells, then storage capacity is improved, but leakage risk increases due to drilling and extraction pathways
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses water as an intermediary medium to transport carbon dioxide to the storage site. The CO2 is dissolved in water under pressure, creating a carbonated water solution that can be pumped through existing well infrastructure without requiring additional drilling or creating new pathways, thereby maintaining storage capacity while reducing leakage risk
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and concentration parameters of carbon dioxide by dissolving it in water under controlled pressure conditions. This transformation allows CO2 to be transported and stored in a different form (dissolved gas rather than compressed gas), which can reduce pressure-related leakage risks while maintaining storage capacity
2Quantity of substance
If carbon dioxide is transported to natural caverns for storage, then storage capacity is improved, but transportation cost increases making the approach not cost effective
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the water transport system multi-functional by using the same water injection infrastructure for both carbon dioxide transport and potential future oil or gas extraction. This universal approach reduces the need for dedicated CO2 transport infrastructure, lowering overall system costs while maintaining large storage capacity
Solution Approach 2:
Water serves as a cost-effective intermediary that leverages existing water injection infrastructure in oil and gas operations. By dissolving CO2 in water, the system can utilize already-installed pumps, pipes, and injection wells, avoiding the need for expensive new transportation infrastructure
3Stability of the object's composition
If carbon dioxide is liquefied and stored deep under the ocean, then storage stability is improved, but transportation and compression cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses water as an intermediary carrier that eliminates the need for expensive compression and liquefaction equipment. By dissolving CO2 in water under moderate pressure, the system achieves stable storage without requiring the extreme compression ratios and specialized infrastructure needed for liquefied CO2 storage
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the storage approach from maintaining CO2 in a compressed liquid or gaseous state to dissolving it in water. This parameter change from high-pressure gas/liquid storage to dissolved-state storage reduces the compression requirements and transportation costs while maintaining storage stability
4Stability of the object's composition
If natural rock weathering processes are used to convert carbon dioxide to carbonates, then permanence is improved, but the rate of conversion is too slow to be useful
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-dissolving large amounts of CO2 in water under pressure before injection. This pre-concentration of CO2 in the water solution ensures that when the solution contacts rock, the conversion to carbonates occurs rapidly because the reactant (CO2) is already in high concentration and ready to react, rather than relying on slow atmospheric CO2 dissolution
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the concentration parameter of CO2 by dissolving it in water under controlled pressure to create a highly concentrated carbonated water solution. This parameter change from low-concentration atmospheric CO2 to high-concentration dissolved CO2 dramatically increases the reaction rate with rock while maintaining the permanence of carbonate formation
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 approach significantly increases the rate and efficiency of carbon dioxide conversion to stable carbonates, making the process economically viable and capable of keeping pace with carbon dioxide generation, while minimizing water usage and reducing transportation costs.
Implementation Method 1
separating carbon dioxide from nitrogen and other gases in exhaust by compressing the exhaust to a high pressure and bubbling it through flowing water. For the same partial pressure of gas, water absorbs about 110 times more carbon dioxide than it does nitrogen
Implementation Method 2
The compressor compresses the separated carbon dioxide to a pressure in the range of 30-150 atm. In one embodiment the carbon dioxide is compressed to 75 atm or higher
Implementation Method 3
After compression, the carbon dioxide is mixed with water at the same pressure to form a 1-2 molar solution of carbon dioxide in water
Implementation Method 4
The pump then pumps the mixture under high pressure (30 to 150 atm) into a fracked well or other fracked underground structure
Implementation Method 5
the concentrated solution or mixture will come into contact with a greater volume of rock, and with rock having a much greater surface area with which to react than would be encountered in many caverns or in conventional oil or gas wells
Implementation Method 6
There is a natural process by which certain types of rock are weathered, and by which atmospheric carbon dioxide is converted into solid carbonates
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus comprises a separator, a compressor, a mixer and a pump. The separator operates on an input gas mixture comprising carbon dioxide gas and one or more other gases, providing a separated carbon dioxide gas output. A compressor compresses the separated carbon dioxide gas output, providing a second output comprising at least one of gaseous carbon dioxide and liquid carbon dioxide. A mixer mixes the second output with liquid water under pressure to provide a third output comprising: at least one of liquid carbon dioxide and gaseous carbon dioxide; and water with dissolved carbon dioxide. A pump pumps the third output into an underground structure such that components of the third output react with available rock surfaces to form stable carbonates.