Critical CO2 Fluids for Hydrocarbon Extraction and Sequestration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for extracting hydrocarbons from oil shale and tar sands are inefficient in terms of energy consumption and result in significant residual heat and hydrocarbon migration, leading to environmental pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

Innovation Solution

The use of critical fluids, such as carbon dioxide, in conjunction with targeted RF energy heating, allows for efficient extraction and sequestration of hydrocarbons, reducing energy consumption and residual heat by lowering the temperature required for hydrocarbon mobility and using CO2 as a carrier and binding agent to immobilize CO2 in the formation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional heating methods (steam injection, fire flooding, RF energy) are used to extract hydrocarbons from oil shale, then hydrocarbon extraction can be achieved, but energy consumption is excessive and residual heat remains in the ground causing environmental pollution

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrocarbon extraction efficiencyVSAvoidenergy consumption and residual heat

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the temperature parameter by using cryogenic cooling instead of high-temperature heating. By cooling the oil shale formation to sub-zero temperatures, the viscosity of hydrocarbons decreases and they become mobile for extraction, eliminating the need for excessive heating energy while avoiding residual heat problems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent inverts the conventional approach by using cooling instead of heating to enable hydrocarbon extraction. This inversion allows hydrocarbons to become mobile through temperature reduction rather than thermal energy input, fundamentally changing the energy balance of the extraction process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Productivity

If high temperatures are used to mobilize hydrocarbons from oil shale, then hydrocarbon extraction is enabled, but greenhouse gas emissions increase due to fossil fuel power plant requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrocarbon mobility and extractionVSAvoidgreenhouse gas emissions

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the thermal parameter from high temperature to low temperature operation. By using cryogenic cooling, the system eliminates the need for fossil fuel-powered heating plants, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining hydrocarbon extraction capability through viscosity reduction at low temperatures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If conventional extraction methods are used, then hydrocarbons can be removed from oil shale, but residual hydrocarbons remain in the ground migrating and causing pollution

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrocarbon removal efficiencyVSAvoidresidual hydrocarbon migration and pollution

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary cryogenic cooling to the entire oil shale formation before extraction begins. This preliminary action reduces the viscosity of all hydrocarbons throughout the formation, enabling complete mobilization and extraction while preventing residual hydrocarbons from remaining trapped in the ground to cause future migration and pollution

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 reduces energy consumption, minimizes residual hydrocarbon migration, and increases the number of suitable reservoirs for CO2 sequestration, effectively addressing environmental pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

Implementation Method 1

targeted RF energy heating

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRF energy heating: Dielectric Heating

Implementation Method 2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCritical fluid: Supercritical Fluid

Implementation Method 3

using CO2 as a carrier and binding agent to immobilize CO2 in the formation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBinding agent: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS7562708B2Method and apparatus for capture and sequester of carbon dioxide and extraction of energy from large land masses during and after extraction of hydrocarbon fuels or contaminants using energy and critical fluids

Publication Date: 2009.07.21 RAYTHEON CO

AI summary

A closed loop system for increasing yield, reducing post process pollution, reducing energy consumed during and after extraction of fuels or contaminants in formations and for sequestering of carbon dioxide C02 from various sources is converted to a critical fluid for use as a flushing and cooling medium. Electrical energy heats a hydrocarbon rich formation resulting in the extraction of hot fluids which are fed to heat exchangers, gas/liquid separator, and steam turbine whereby oil, electric power, carbon dioxide and methane are produced for reuse in the system or for external use. Further, a method for sequestering of carbon dioxide in a formation comprises the steps of injecting CO2 into the reservoir, flushing with cool pressurized CO2 for heat removal, infiltrating with ultra-fine low density suspended catalyst particles of dry sodium hydroxide in CO2, pumping water moistened CO2 into the reservoir to activate the catalysts, binding the CO2 with reacting materials and capping the reservoir.