CO2 Mineralization in Effluent Water via pH-Swing Carbonation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for treating produced effluent water from oil and gas extraction operations are inefficient in removing dissolved salts and impurities, particularly total dissolved solids (TDS), and lack cost-effective and environmentally sustainable solutions for CO2 sequestration and waste management.
Innovation Solution
A direct aqueous carbonation method that combines effluent water with CO2 from emission streams to produce a reaction solution, controlling the pH to induce precipitation of carbonate salts, such as calcium and magnesium carbonates, using a pH buffer agent like polymer-supported or clay-based heterogeneous agents, which enhances carbonation reaction rates and reduces chemical usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional water treatment methods (evaporation, distillation, membrane filtration) are used to remove salts from produced effluent water, then TDS removal is achieved, but energy consumption and operational costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the effluent water by adjusting pH to trigger carbonate precipitation. By controlling pH levels, the system transforms dissolved salts into precipitable carbonate forms, enabling removal through filtration rather than energy-intensive evaporation or distillation processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical separation methods (membrane filtration, evaporation) with a chemical precipitation approach. By using chemical reactions to convert dissolved salts into solid carbonate precipitates, the system eliminates the need for high-energy mechanical separation processes.
2Quantity of substance
If CO2 stripping and compression are used for CO2 sequestration, then CO2 capture is achieved, but the process becomes energy-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of CO2 emissions into a beneficial carbonation process. Instead of requiring energy-intensive stripping and compression, the system uses direct aqueous carbonation where CO2 reacts with effluent water to form carbonate salts, turning waste CO2 into valuable precipitated carbonates for sequestration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the effluent water itself as the reaction medium for CO2 carbonation, eliminating the need for separate CO2 stripping and compression steps. The natural chemistry of the effluent water (containing calcium and magnesium ions) serves the dual purpose of water treatment and CO2 sequestration.
3Quantity of substance
If chemical treatments are used to remove salts from effluent water, then TDS reduction is achieved, but chemical usage and environmental impact increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs the effluent water's own chemical composition (calcium and magnesium ions naturally present in the water) to drive the carbonation process. This self-service approach eliminates the need for external chemical additives, as the water's inherent minerals react with CO2 to form precipitable carbonates.
Solution Approach 2:
By adjusting pH parameters, the system triggers precipitation of carbonate salts using the water's natural mineral content. This parameter-based control enables TDS reduction through physical precipitation rather than chemical treatment, minimizing chemical usage while achieving effective salt removal.
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 effectively reduces TDS in treated water, avoids energy-intensive CO2 stripping and compression, and utilizes waste heat for improved efficiency, making it a cost-effective and environmentally sustainable approach for CO2 sequestration and water treatment.
Implementation Method 1
combining effluent water with carbon dioxide sourced from a carbon dioxide-containing emission stream to produce a reaction solution
Implementation Method 2
controlling the pH of the reaction solution to induce precipitation of a carbonate salt from the reaction solution
Implementation Method 3
inducing precipitation of a carbonate salt from the reaction solution
Data Source
AI summary
Effluent water is combined with carbon dioxide sourced from a carbon dioxide-containing emission stream to produce a reaction solution. The pH of the reaction solution is controlled to induce precipitation of a carbonate salt from the reaction solution.