Functionalized Proppants for CO2 Sequestration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hydraulic fracturing proppants do not effectively sequester target species such as carbon dioxide and other gases, which can lead to increased greenhouse gas emissions and reduced well productivity.
Innovation Solution
Development of functionalized proppants incorporating materials like sodium bicarbonates, olivine, and serpentine that absorb and sequester target species, either before or after injection into subterranean formations, enhancing their ability to capture and retain gases like CO2 within fractures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional proppants (treated sand, ceramic materials, polymers) are used for hydraulic fracturing, then the fractures can be maintained open, but the proppants cannot effectively sequester target species such as carbon dioxide and other gases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining conventional proppant materials (sand, ceramic, polymer) with sequestering materials (sodium bicarbonate, olivine, serpentine, calcium oxide, magnesium oxide) to create a multi-functional proppant that both maintains fracture openness and sequesters target species like CO2. This composite approach allows the proppant to simultaneously provide mechanical support and chemical sequestration capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements multi-functionality by designing proppants that perform multiple functions: (1) maintaining fracture open, (2) sequestering carbon dioxide, (3) sequestering other gases, and (4) potentially providing additional benefits like flowback water treatment. This universal proppant replaces the need for separate materials for each function.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If functionalized proppants with sequestering materials are used, then the ability to capture and retain gases like CO2 is enhanced, but the complexity of proppant composition and manufacturing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by incorporating sequestering materials in specific layers or coatings on the proppant surface, or as discrete particles mixed with the conventional proppant material. This allows different regions of the proppant system to have different functions: the core proppant material provides mechanical strength while the surface layers or mixed particles provide sequestration capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by adjusting the composition ratios, particle size distributions, and chemical properties of the sequestering materials to optimize both sequestration effectiveness and manufacturing feasibility. The formulation can be tuned to achieve desired performance while managing complexity.
3Strength
If high strength ceramic particles are used for deep well completions, then the proppant strength and size conformation are improved, but the sequestration functionality is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines high strength ceramic particles with sequestering materials to create a composite proppant that retains the mechanical strength of ceramic while adding sequestration functionality. The ceramic provides the structural backbone and strength required for deep well completions, while the incorporated sequestering materials (such as sodium bicarbonate, olivine, or serpentine) provide gas capture capabilities.
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 functionalized proppants improve well productivity by sequestering unwanted gases, reducing environmental impact and increasing the longevity of hydraulic fractures, while also providing enhanced mechanical properties for deep well completions.
Implementation Method 1
the proppant includes a material adapted to sequester at least one target species... via reaction, adsorption, capture, encapsulation etc.
Implementation Method 2
The target species may, for example, be absorbed upon exposure of at least one of the proppant or the material to a fluid
Data Source
AI summary
A proppant for use in hydraulic fracturing in a subterranean formation to prop a fracture therein includes a material which is adapted to sequester at least one target species formed external to the subterranean formation and formed external to the proppant and the material.