CO2 Storage Surfactant Composition for High-Salinity Formations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surfactants are not suitable for storing carbon dioxide in subterranean formations lacking hydrocarbons due to poor solubility and adsorption issues at high temperatures and salinities, leading to inefficient carbon dioxide storage and potential leakage.
Innovation Solution
The use of surfactant compounds of formula (I), characterized by specific alkyl and alkylene groups, is injected into subterranean formations to stabilize carbon dioxide emulsions, enhancing viscosity and solubility, thereby improving storage efficiency and reducing plume extent.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional surfactants are used to generate carbon dioxide emulsions, then carbon dioxide mobility is reduced and storage is stabilized, but the surfactants exhibit poor solubility and adsorption issues at high temperature and high salinity conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical parameters of the surfactant by specifying a particular molecular structure with a hydrophobic alkyl group (C8-C22) and a hydrophilic group (amine, carboxylic acid, or sulfonic acid functional groups). This structural parameter change enables the surfactant to maintain solubility and effectiveness at high temperature and high salinity conditions while still stabilizing carbon dioxide emulsions
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite surfactant molecule combining hydrophobic and hydrophilic components in specific ratios. The hydrophobic alkyl group (C8-C22) interacts with carbon dioxide while the hydrophilic group (amine, carboxylic acid, or sulfonic acid) interacts with brine, creating a composite structure that bridges both phases effectively under extreme conditions
2Adaptability or versatility
If non-ionic surfactants are used, then solubility in brine improves at high temperature and salinity, but adsorption issues on minerals occur
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical nature of the surfactant from non-ionic to ionic (specifically cationic with amine groups, or anionic with carboxylic acid or sulfonic acid groups). This parameter change in charge state reduces adsorption on mineral surfaces while maintaining solubility in brine at high temperature and salinity conditions
3Adaptability or versatility
If cationic or anionic surfactants are used, then solubility in carbon dioxide improves, but adsorption issues on sand stones or carbonates occur
Solution Approach 1:
The invention optimizes the balance between hydrophobic and hydrophilic components in the surfactant structure. The specific ratio and type of functional groups (amine, carboxylic acid, or sulfonic acid) are tuned to achieve adequate solubility in carbon dioxide while minimizing adsorption on sand stone or carbonate surfaces through controlled hydrophilicity
4Quantity of substance
If carbon dioxide is injected into water-bearing subterranean formation, then carbon dioxide storage is achieved, but the low viscosity of carbon dioxide causes migration and plume formation that can leak through cap rock defects
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces surfactant as an intermediary substance that mediates between carbon dioxide and water phases. The surfactant forms stable emulsions that increase apparent viscosity and reduce carbon dioxide mobility, preventing migration toward cap rock defects while maintaining storage capacity in the water-bearing formation
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite carbon dioxide-brine-emulsion system where surfactant molecules form interfacial films around carbon dioxide droplets. This composite structure increases the apparent viscosity and stabilizes the emulsion, preventing carbon dioxide plume formation and leakage through geological defects
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 surfactant compounds achieve high carbon dioxide saturation and apparent viscosity, ensuring effective storage without hydrocarbon presence, even at high temperatures and salinities, and minimizing surfactant consumption.
Implementation Method 1
the surfactant is a compound of formula (I)... the surfactant compounds achieve high carbon dioxide saturation and apparent viscosity, ensuring effective storage
Implementation Method 2
the addition of a surfactant to generate carbon dioxide/water emulsions (sometimes also referred to as 'foams')... the generation of such carbon dioxide emulsion makes it possible to stabilize the carbon dioxide front
Implementation Method 3
Emulsions have a relatively high viscosity. Thus, the generation of such carbon dioxide emulsion makes it possible to stabilize the carbon dioxide front... the viscous phase (carbon dioxide emulsion) replaces the low-viscosity phase (e.g., water present in the formation) by a 'piston-like' mechanism
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method of storing carbon dioxide in a subterranean formation not containing any hydrocarbons, comprising injecting a surfactant into the subterranean formation, injecting carbon dioxide into the subterranean formation, wherein the surfactant is a compound of formula (I), wherein R1, R2, R3, and R5 are independently a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group, A is an alkylene group, and the total number of carbon atoms in the surfactant compound of formula (I) is from 10 to 24.