CO2 Injection Regulation via Renewable Energy Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Offshore carbon dioxide sequestration installations face challenges with intermittent renewable energy sources, leading to risks of hydrate formation and channel sealing, requiring a method to ensure continuous CO2 injection while minimizing shutdowns and restarts.
Innovation Solution
A regulation method that utilizes a time-variable power supply with defined thresholds to switch between energy storage and production, ensuring continuous CO2 injection by powering the injection device with energy storage during low power states and renewable energy during high power states, and adjusting flow rates based on forecasts and energy availability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If intermittent renewable energy sources are used to power the injection device, then the carbon footprint is reduced, but the injection continuity is compromised leading to hydrate formation and channel sealing
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by storing energy in advance using energy storage devices (batteries, capacitors, or supercapacitors) during periods of high renewable energy availability. This stored energy is then utilized during low-generation periods to maintain continuous CO2 injection, preventing hydrate formation and channel sealing while preserving the use of renewable energy sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces energy storage devices as an intermediary between the intermittent renewable energy sources and the CO2 injection device. This mediator smooths out the fluctuations in energy supply, converting intermittent renewable energy into a stable, continuous power source for the injection system, thereby resolving the contradiction between renewable energy use and injection continuity.
2Productivity
If the injection flow rate is increased to maximize sequestration performance, then the productivity is improved, but the energy consumption increases requiring more powerful energy supply
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies dynamics by continuously adjusting the CO2 injection flow rate based on real-time renewable energy generation levels. When renewable energy availability is high, the injection rate is increased to maximize sequestration performance. When energy generation is low, the rate is reduced to match available power, preventing energy supply constraints while optimizing overall productivity over time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the injection device dynamically, specifically adjusting the injection flow rate as a variable parameter based on energy availability. This allows the system to operate at high productivity when energy is abundant and reduce to maintenance levels when energy is scarce, resolving the contradiction between maximum productivity and power requirements.
3Power
If frequent stops and restarts are implemented to match renewable energy availability, then the energy supply is optimized, but the operational reliability deteriorates and hydrate formation risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system ensures continuity of useful action by maintaining uninterrupted CO2 injection through the combined power supply of renewable energy sources and energy storage devices. The energy storage systems bridge gaps in renewable generation, eliminating the need for frequent stops and restarts, thereby maintaining operational stability and preventing hydrate formation while still optimizing energy supply from renewable sources.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for the regulation of an installation for the geological sequestration of carbon dioxide includes a structure; a CO2 storage compartment, received in said structure; a device for injecting CO2 into a geological reservoir; an energy production device; and an energy storage device. The energy production device supplies a power that varies over time, between low, intermediate, and high states. When the power supplied is in the low state, the injection device is powered by the energy storage device; and when said power supplied is in the high state, the injection device is powered by the power generation device, to ensure a continuous injection of CO2 into the geological reservoir.