CO2 Recycle Catalytic Reactor for Lower Miscible Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
In miscible displacement processes for enhanced oil recovery, achieving a miscible solution without damaging the reservoir requires a minimum miscible pressure that is lower than the fracture pressure, and existing methods struggle to efficiently manage contaminants in the displacement fluid to optimize hydrocarbon recovery and energy generation.
Innovation Solution
A catalytic reactor system that converts contaminants in the carbon dioxide recycle stream, such as C1-C3 hydrocarbons, into carbon dioxide and water, reducing the minimum miscible pressure and generating energy by using the heat produced, without combustion, and integrates with a natural gas liquids recovery unit and dehydrator to produce a purified carbon dioxide stream for injection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the minimum miscible pressure is increased to improve hydrocarbon recovery, then the miscibility and recovery efficiency are improved, but the risk of reservoir structural damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the compositional parameters of the displacement fluid by removing C2-C4 hydrocarbon contaminants through catalytic conversion. This parameter change allows the system to achieve effective miscibility and hydrocarbon recovery at lower pressures, thereby resolving the contradiction between recovery efficiency and reservoir damage risk
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the harmful effect of hydrocarbon contaminants (which cause instability and require high pressure) into a beneficial outcome by using catalytic reactors to convert these contaminants into useful carbon dioxide. This eliminates the need for high minimum miscible pressure while maintaining recovery efficiency
2Stress or pressure
If C2-C4 hydrocarbons are removed from the displacement fluid to lower minimum miscible pressure, then the operating pressure can be reduced, but the complexity of the fluid processing system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the contaminant removal function with the existing displacement fluid circulation system by integrating catalytic reactors into the recycle stream. This combination approach reduces system complexity compared to separate treatment systems while achieving the desired pressure reduction
Solution Approach 2:
The catalytic reactor serves as an intermediary device that facilitates the conversion of hydrocarbon contaminants to carbon dioxide. This intermediary approach simplifies the overall system by providing a straightforward chemical conversion pathway rather than requiring complex separation and purification equipment
3Productivity
If combustion is used to convert hydrocarbon contaminants to carbon dioxide, then the conversion efficiency is high, but the risk of uncontrolled reactions and safety hazards increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the thermal-mechanical combustion process with a catalytic chemical process. This substitution eliminates the need for high-temperature combustion while achieving efficient contaminant conversion, thereby resolving the safety and control issues associated with combustion
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates an inert reaction environment by using catalytic oxidation instead of combustion. This inert approach prevents uncontrolled reactions and safety hazards while maintaining high conversion efficiency, directly addressing the reliability and safety concerns
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 effectively reduces the minimum miscible pressure, enhancing hydrocarbon recovery and generating energy through the conversion of contaminants, while preventing structural damage to the reservoir and avoiding combustion risks at high pressures and carbon dioxide concentrations.
Implementation Method 1
The hydrocarbons are converted to carbon dioxide in the catalytic reactor by a catalytic reaction without combustion to form a purified carbon dioxide recycle stream
Implementation Method 2
Electrical energy is generated by using heat produced by the catalytic reactor in the conversion
Data Source
AI summary
A method comprises receiving a carbon dioxide recycle stream having carbon dioxide and hydrocarbons. The carbon dioxide recycle stream is fed to a catalytic reactor. The hydrocarbons are converted to carbon dioxide in the catalytic reactor by a catalytic reaction without combustion to form a purified carbon dioxide recycle stream. Electrical energy is generated by using heat produced by the catalytic reactor in the conversion. Another method comprises receiving a recycle stream having carbon dioxide, C1-C2 hydrocarbons, and C3+ hydrocarbons. The C3+ hydrocarbons are separated from the carbon dioxide and the C1-C2 hydrocarbons. The carbon dioxide and the C1-C2 hydrocarbons are fed to a catalytic reactor at a pressure greater than about 300 pounds per square inch (psi), and the C1-C2 hydrocarbons are converted to carbon dioxide, water, and heat.