Clean Fracturing System Using CO2 and Steam

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional fracturing processes for shale and oil sands often rely on chemical contaminants that can harm the environment and human health, and they inefficiently use large amounts of water that cannot be recycled due to toxicity.

Innovation Solution

A method utilizing CO2 and steam to induce fracturing in shale and oil sands without chemical contaminants, where carbonated water is injected into wells and expanded by pressurized steam to break up formations, with a system for recycling fluids and on-site energy production, and movable storage units for fracturing liquids.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If chemical contaminants are used in fracturing processes, then the fracturing effectiveness is improved, but environmental pollution and water contamination occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes harmful chemical contaminants from the fracturing process by using only water and sand as fracturing agents. This extraction of toxic substances resolves the contradiction by maintaining fracturing effectiveness through mechanical means while eliminating environmental pollution and water contamination associated with chemical usage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates an inert environment by using clean water and sand instead of reactive chemical contaminants. This inert approach prevents harmful chemical reactions and contamination while still achieving the desired fracturing effect, thereby resolving the contradiction between effectiveness and environmental harm.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

2Productivity

If large amounts of water are used in fracturing processes, then the fracturing capability is improved, but water recycling becomes impossible due to chemical toxicity

Engineering Contradiction:
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts toxic chemicals from the fracturing fluid composition, leaving only water and sand. This removal enables water recycling because the remaining components are non-toxic and environmentally benign, resolving the contradiction between maintaining fracturing capability and preserving water recyclability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a system where water and sand can be discarded after use and easily recovered through filtration and separation processes. The absence of toxic chemicals makes recovery feasible and economically viable, thereby resolving the contradiction between using sufficient water for effective fracturing and enabling water recycling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Productivity

If chemical agents are used to break up mineral containing material, then the material breakdown is improved, but underground water contamination occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts harmful chemical agents from the fracturing process and replaces them with water and sand. This extraction maintains the ability to break up mineral-containing material through mechanical stress while eliminating the generation of harmful factors that would contaminate underground water sources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potentially harmful interaction between chemicals and groundwater into a beneficial outcome by using only water and sand. The fracturing process still achieves effective material breakdown, but the absence of toxic chemicals transforms what would have been contamination into a clean, sustainable process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 enables a clean, non-contaminating fracturing process that effectively releases natural gas and oil while recycling fluids, reducing environmental impact and enhancing operational efficiency by minimizing chemical usage and promoting water reuse.

Implementation Method 1

A method utilizing CO2 and steam to induce fracturing in shale and oil sands without chemical contaminants, where carbonated water is injected into wells and expanded by pressurized steam

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhase change: Phase Change

Implementation Method 2

carbonated water is injected into wells and expanded by pressurized steam to break up formations

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Implementation Method 3

pressurized steam to break up formations

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 4

expanded by pressurized steam to break up formations

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure increase: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentUS9605513B1Method of gas, oil and mineral production using a clean processing system and method
Publication Date: 2017.03.28
  • US9605513B1 patent drawing
  • US9605513B1 patent drawing
  • US9605513B1 patent drawing

AI summary

The invention provides a system and process for providing a clean, non-contaminating process, for producing fracturing of shale, limestone, sands and other geological and mining formations to release natural gas, oil and minerals within a formation. A system used in the process produces on site the energy required to induce fracturing, removing natural gas and oil, and to recycle fluids used in fracturing for additional use. Removable storage provides the necessary materials to provide fracturing, removal and processing of the fracturing liquids for addition use at one or more sites, and to provide processing, storage and transportation of the resulting natural gas and oil.