CO2 Thickener Mixture for Reservoir Sequestration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional CO2 sequestration in depleted reservoirs has low efficiency due to the low density and high mobility of CO2, leading to gravity override and viscous fingering, with existing thickeners facing solubility and environmental concerns.
Innovation Solution
Introducing a CO2 thickener mixture comprising a methyl acrylate-based copolymer, a CO2 solvent, and a solvent to increase the viscosity of CO2, allowing it to intermix with brines and residual hydrocarbons, thereby reducing mobility and enhancing storage capacity, using environmentally friendly compounds like APFR-2.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If CO2 is injected into depleted reservoirs for sequestration, then CO2 storage capacity is improved, but CO2 mobility is too high causing gravity override and viscous fingering
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the viscosity parameter of CO2 by adding a thickener agent, transforming it from a low-viscosity gas to a high-viscosity fluid. This parameter change reduces CO2 mobility and prevents gravity override and viscous fingering, thereby improving sequestration capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a thickener agent as an intermediary substance that mediates between CO2 and the reservoir formation. This thickener agent increases CO2 viscosity and acts as a carrier, enabling effective CO2 storage while preventing harmful flow patterns.
2Speed
If traditional thickeners are used to increase CO2 viscosity, then CO2 mobility is reduced, but solubility and environmental concerns arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the thickener to ensure CO2 solubility and environmental compatibility. By selecting specific thickener compounds with appropriate molecular structures, the patent achieves both viscosity increase and solubility maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite thickener formulations that combine multiple components to achieve the desired balance between viscosity enhancement, CO2 solubility, and environmental safety. This composite approach allows optimization of multiple properties simultaneously.
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 thickened CO2 mixture demonstrates increased viscosity and reduced mobility, improving sequestration efficiency by up to 45 times, effectively trapping CO2 in depleted reservoirs without environmental harm.
Implementation Method 1
The thickened CO2 mixture demonstrates increased viscosity and reduced mobility, improving sequestration efficiency
Implementation Method 2
allowing it to intermix with brines and residual hydrocarbons
Implementation Method 3
The thickened CO2 mixture demonstrates increased viscosity and reduced mobility, improving sequestration efficiency
Implementation Method 4
The method may include using CO2 in a liquid or supercritical state upon introduction into the depleted reservoir
Implementation Method 5
The method may include using CO2 in a liquid or supercritical state upon introduction into the depleted reservoir
Data Source
AI summary
A method for increasing CO2 sequestration efficiency in depleted reservoirs using a CO2 thickener is provided. The method may include the steps of introducing a thickened CO2 mixture into the depleted reservoir, where the thickened CO2 mixture comprises a mixture of CO2 and a CO2 thickener. The method may include using CO2 is in a liquid or supercritical state upon introduction into the depleted reservoir. The method may also include the step of using a CO2 thickener comprising a methyl acrylate-based copolymer, a CO2 solvent, and a solvent.