Dual-Sided Impeller Pump for Supercritical CO2 Dissolution
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gas entrainment systems for enhanced oil recovery face inefficiencies and high operational costs, particularly in achieving high solubility of gases like carbon dioxide in water, which limits the effectiveness of gas re-injection processes.
Innovation Solution
A dual-sided impeller pump system capable of pressurizing gases to at least 95% dissolution in water, producing a single-phase gas entrained aqueous solution, which is then re-injected into oil recovery wells, thereby enhancing oil recovery efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional gas entrainment systems are used to dissolve gas in water, then gas solubility is achieved, but the dissolution efficiency is limited and operational costs are high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pressure parameter to achieve supercritical conditions for CO2 dissolution in water. By operating at pressures above 73 atm and temperatures above 31°C, the system achieves enhanced gas solubility and dissolution efficiency that conventional systems cannot attain at standard conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-pressurizes the CO2 gas before introducing it to the water stream. The gas is compressed to supercritical conditions in advance, ensuring maximum dissolution capacity before the mixing and dissolution process occurs in the pump system
2Stability of the object's composition
If conventional systems separate hydrocarbons and gas from liquid, then phase separation is achieved, but the system complexity and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes phase transition by dissolving CO2 gas into water to form a single-phase supercritical fluid solution. This eliminates the need for complex three-phase separation systems because the injected fluid remains as a single phase throughout the reservoir, and produced fluids can be directly reinjected after minimal processing
Solution Approach 2:
The pump system performs multiple functions: it acts as a mixer, a pressurizer, and a dissolution chamber simultaneously. The dual-sided impeller pump combines gas injection, liquid pumping, and mixing functions in a single device, reducing the number of separate components needed
3Productivity
If high-pressure gas injection is used for enhanced oil recovery, then oil recovery is enhanced, but energy demand increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the hydraulic energy of the produced water stream to drive the dissolution process. The kinetic energy of the flowing water helps mix and dissolve the supercritical CO2, reducing the need for additional high-pressure gas compression and lowering overall energy requirements compared to conventional high-pressure gas injection
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 system significantly increases gas flow rates while maintaining a single-phase fluid, reducing the need for temporary vapor recovery units and lowering operational costs, footprint, and energy demand, thus improving oil production and maintenance operations.
Implementation Method 1
The pump may be configured to pressurize the gas to at least 95% dissolution in the water
Implementation Method 2
A dual-sided impeller pump system capable of pressurizing gases to at least 95% dissolution in water
Implementation Method 3
producing a single-phase gas entrained aqueous solution
Data Source
AI summary
A pump system includes a centrifugal pump having an impeller, a first inlet arranged to receive a first flow of liquid, a second inlet arranged to receive a flow of gas at a first pressure, the gas being soluble in the liquid, and an outlet arranged to discharge a second flow of liquid that contains the flow of gas solubilized therein. An injection pump has an inlet arranged to receive the second flow of liquid. The injection pump is operable to increase the pressure of the second flow of liquid to produce a high-pressure flow of liquid, and includes a discharge arranged to discharge the high-pressure flow of liquid.