CO2 Sequestration Heat Exchanger to Prevent Reservoir Hydrates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for injecting carbon dioxide into geological reservoirs face challenges such as hydrate formation due to low injection temperatures and the need for additional heating of carbon dioxide, while extracted high-temperature water requires cooling before discharge, increasing operational complexity and costs.
Innovation Solution
A method and installation that includes a heat exchanger connected to the injection and extraction conduits for simultaneous carbon dioxide injection and water extraction, utilizing counter-current flow to thermally condition both streams, allowing for efficient temperature adjustment of carbon dioxide and water without additional heating or cooling devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If carbon dioxide is stored at temperatures below -20°C, then storage is feasible, but hydrate formation and channel blockage occur in the reservoir
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-heating the carbon dioxide from storage temperature (below -20°C) to injection temperature (0°C to 5°C) using a heat exchanger before the CO2 enters the reservoir. This advance thermal conditioning prevents hydrate formation and channel blockage while maintaining efficient storage conditions.
2Reliability
If additional heating devices are used to raise carbon dioxide temperature, then injection safety improves, but device complexity and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies self-service by using the hot extracted water (50°C to 65°C) from the reservoir to heat the cold carbon dioxide through a heat exchanger. This self-contained thermal exchange eliminates the need for external heating devices, reducing complexity while maintaining injection safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of hot extracted water (which requires cooling before discharge) into a beneficial resource by using it to preheat the carbon dioxide. This transforms a waste heat problem into a solution for CO2 temperature conditioning, eliminating separate heating equipment.
3Ease of operation
If extracted water is discharged directly into the sea, then operational simplicity is maintained, but environmental standards are violated due to high temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses self-service by having the cold carbon dioxide stream cool the hot extracted water through thermal exchange in the heat exchanger. This self-cooling process brings the water temperature into compliance with environmental discharge standards without requiring external cooling equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of hot water temperature (environmental non-compliance) into a beneficial cooling effect for the carbon dioxide stream. The thermal exchange simultaneously cools the water for compliant discharge and heats the CO2 for safe injection, eliminating separate cooling devices.
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
Facilitates safe and efficient carbon dioxide injection by preventing hydrate formation and reduces the need for additional thermal treatment, while enabling environmentally compliant discharge of treated water.
Implementation Method 1
thermal contacting, in the heat exchanger, of the carbon dioxide flow upstream of the geological reservoir with the water flow extracted from said geological reservoir
Implementation Method 2
when the carbon dioxide stream and the extracted water stream come into thermal contact, said streams flow in counter-current flow in the heat exchanger
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for operating an installation (10) for the geological sequestration of carbon dioxide, comprising: a structure (20); a device (22) for injecting a flow (30) of carbon dioxide into a geological reservoir, the injection device comprising an injection pipe (32); and a device (24) for extracting a flow (40) of water from the geological reservoir, the extraction device comprising an extraction pipe (42). The installation further comprises a heat exchanger (26), which is connected to the injection and extraction pipes; and the method comprises the following steps: injecting the flow (30) of carbon dioxide into the reservoir, simultaneously extracting the flow (40) of water from the reservoir; and bringing the flows of carbon dioxide and of water into thermal contact in the exchanger (26).