Subsurface CO2 Sequestration via Oxidizer-Modified Organic Pores
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current carbon capture and storage (CCUS) technologies face challenges such as high costs, scalability issues, and longevity concerns, making it difficult to effectively reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide levels.
Innovation Solution
The method involves injecting carbon dioxide into organic-rich subterranean formations, accompanied by an oxidizer with a redox potential of at least 0.5 volts, to enhance the adsorption and storage of carbon dioxide by modifying the pore structure and surface area of the organic matter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If carbon dioxide is injected into organic-rich geological formations, then the sequestration capacity is significantly enhanced, but the complexity of the injection process increases due to the need for oxidizer placement and pore structure modification
Solution Approach 1:
The oxidizer is placed into the geological formation before carbon dioxide injection to pre-modify the organic matter pore structure and surface area, creating optimal conditions for subsequent CO2 adsorption. This preliminary action enhances sequestration capacity while simplifying the overall process by avoiding the need for complex real-time modification systems during injection.
2Quantity of substance
If oxidizer is placed into the subterranean zone to modify organic matter, then the adsorption capacity increases, but the cost of the sequestration process increases due to additional chemicals and operations
Solution Approach 1:
The oxidizer modifies the physical and chemical parameters of the organic matter, specifically increasing pore structure surface area and enhancing adsorption sites. This parameter change in the formation properties enables greater CO2 capacity without requiring continuous chemical addition, thereby controlling long-term operational costs.
3Productivity
If high concentration of carbon dioxide is injected to achieve high sequestration rates, then the productivity increases, but the risk of insufficient oxidation and reduced long-term storage stability increases
Solution Approach 1:
By placing the oxidizer before CO2 injection, the organic matter is pre-oxidized to create stable adsorption sites and modify pore structures. This ensures that high-rate CO2 injection achieves both high productivity and long-term storage stability, as the oxidation state is already optimized for permanent sequestration.
Solution Approach 2:
The method incorporates monitoring of CO2 injection rates and formation conditions to ensure adequate oxidation has occurred. This feedback mechanism allows adjustment of injection parameters to maintain both high productivity and storage stability, preventing insufficient oxidation while achieving target sequestration rates.
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 approach significantly enhances the sequestration of carbon dioxide, achieving a sequestration rate of at least 250,000 metric tons per year per well, while addressing the limitations of existing CCUS technologies.
Implementation Method 1
an oxidizer having a redox potential of at least 0.5 volts is placed into a subterranean zone having an average total organic content of at least three weight percent
Implementation Method 2
At least a portion of the carbon dioxide is sequestered in the subterranean zone
Data Source
AI summary
A method for subsurface sequestration of carbon dioxide includes placing into a subterranean zone an oxidizer having a redox potential of at least 0.5 volts. The subterranean zone has an average total organic content of at least three weight percent. Carbon dioxide is injected into the subterranean zone via one or a plurality of wells. A total volume of all fluids injected into the subterranean zone via the one or the plurality of wells includes, on average per well per month, at least sixty-five weight percent carbon dioxide and less than thirty weight percent water.