CO2 Injection System Temperature Control for Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional carbon dioxide injection systems face challenges in reliably injecting CO2 at a variable rate over extended periods and lack sufficient control systems for autonomous operation, particularly in long-term injection pilots in locations like the Middle East and Asia.
Innovation Solution
A carbon dioxide injection system that includes a low-volume cryogenic pump, a temperature sensor, and a heater. The system monitors temperature, flow rate, and pressure, adjusting the flow rate and temperature of the CO2 to maintain it above a minimum threshold, thereby preventing damage to equipment and ensuring reliable injection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If CO2 is injected at low temperature to maintain liquid phase, then injection efficiency is improved, but equipment damage and operational reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary heating of CO2 to a temperature above its dew point before injection into the wellbore. This advance temperature adjustment prevents equipment damage and operational issues while maintaining injection efficiency, resolving the contradiction between low-temperature injection benefits and equipment reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts CO2 temperature based on real-time measurements of temperature, pressure, and flow rate. By continuously monitoring and adjusting temperature to maintain it above the dew point, the system adapts to varying operating conditions to prevent equipment damage while maintaining efficient injection.
2Device complexity
If CO2 temperature is not monitored and controlled, then system complexity is reduced, but injection reliability and flow assurance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements continuous feedback monitoring of CO2 temperature, pressure, and flow rate during injection. This real-time data collection and control mechanism ensures reliable injection operations by detecting and responding to conditions that could compromise flow assurance, resolving the contradiction between simple systems and reliable operation.
3Use of energy by moving object
If CO2 is injected without temperature maintenance, then energy consumption is reduced, but flow assurance and injectivity capabilities deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies heating as a preliminary action before CO2 enters the wellbore, maintaining temperature above the dew point only where and when necessary. This targeted approach ensures flow assurance and injectivity capabilities while minimizing unnecessary energy consumption throughout the entire injection system.
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
The system enables reliable, long-term CO2 injection by maintaining the CO2 above a minimum temperature threshold, reducing equipment damage, and ensuring continuous operation through modular design and autonomous control.
Implementation Method 1
A heater is located between the carbon dioxide pump and the wellbore, wherein the heater is configured to maintain the carbon dioxide above a minimum temperature threshold
Data Source
AI summary
A carbon dioxide injection manager may pump carbon dioxide into a wellbore with a carbon dioxide pump. A carbon dioxide injection manager may measure a carbon dioxide temperature of the carbon dioxide at the wellbore. A carbon dioxide injection manager may, based on the carbon dioxide temperature, increase a temperature of the carbon dioxide between the carbon dioxide pump and the wellbore.