Horizontal Well Porous Filter Microbubble Generation for CO2 Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for underground carbon dioxide retention are inefficient due to the need for large-scale systems, high power requirements, and ineffective use of retention space, particularly when dissolving carbon dioxide in solvents or requiring complex equipment, and the challenge of extending carbon dioxide's residence time in aquifers.
Innovation Solution
A retention device and method utilizing a porous member with apertures of 4.5 micrometers or less in horizontal wells to create small microbubbles that descend in the aquifer, allowing for efficient dissolution and prolonged retention of carbon dioxide in saltwater aquifers, along with the option of infusing retained substances like methane, and enhanced oil recovery through co-infusion with oil extraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If carbon dioxide is infused into the retention layer using conventional methods, then carbon dioxide can be retained underground, but the system requires large-scale equipment including pumping wells and compression apparatus, increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the core function of carbon dioxide infusion from the complex conventional system (pumping wells, compression apparatus, dissolution tanks) and implements it directly through simple injection wells that introduce carbon dioxide in gaseous, liquid, or supercritical state directly into the retention layer, eliminating unnecessary equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The injection well serves multiple functions: it can introduce carbon dioxide in any state (gas, liquid, supercritical), and can be used for both new carbon dioxide storage and re-injection from production wells, replacing the need for separate specialized equipment for each function
2Reliability
If conventional infusion methods are used, then carbon dioxide can be introduced into the aquifer, but the residence time of carbon dioxide in the aquifer is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The invention performs preliminary action by introducing carbon dioxide directly into the retention layer in controlled states (gaseous, liquid, or supercritical) and positions it for optimal dissolution into formation water, thereby extending the residence time before carbon dioxide reaches the sealing layer
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state parameters of carbon dioxide (introducing it as gas, liquid, or supercritical phase depending on pressure and temperature conditions) to optimize dissolution rate and residence time in the aquifer, maximizing retention effectiveness
3Productivity
If carbon dioxide is dissolved in solvent using compression apparatus and pressurized feeding pump, then carbon dioxide can be retained efficiently, but high power is required for the process
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies self-service by utilizing the natural pressure and temperature conditions of the underground retention layer to maintain carbon dioxide in desired states (liquid or supercritical) without requiring external compression apparatus or pressurized feeding pumps, thereby eliminating high power consumption while maintaining retention efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses pneumatic and hydraulic principles by introducing carbon dioxide in gaseous, liquid, or supercritical state that naturally responds to pressure and temperature gradients in the formation, allowing efficient retention without mechanical compression equipment
4Productivity
If carbon dioxide is infused using pumping well and pump device, then carbon dioxide can be introduced into the aquifer, but the system becomes large-scale and requires high power
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the essential function of carbon dioxide introduction from the complex pumping well and pump device system, replacing it with simpler injection wells that can introduce carbon dioxide directly without requiring mechanical pumping equipment, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining infusion capability
Solution Approach 2:
The injection well provides universal functionality by being able to introduce carbon dioxide in any physical state (gas, liquid, supercritical) and serving both new storage and re-injection purposes, replacing the need for specialized pumping equipment for different scenarios
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 enables direct and efficient infusion and retention of carbon dioxide in underground saltwater aquifers, extending its residence time and optimizing retention space, while also facilitating enhanced oil recovery by maintaining microbubbles in a suspension state, thereby improving the overall efficiency and scalability of the carbon dioxide retention process.
Implementation Method 1
a porous member which has an aperture of 4.5 micrometers or less is provided in the horizontal well
Implementation Method 2
the diameter of microbubbles of a retained substance infused through the porous member can become small. For this reason, although details are described later, a descending phenomenon of bubbles in a fluid can be utilized
Implementation Method 3
the method of dissolving carbon dioxide in the stratum water which exists in an underground saltwater aquifer and retaining carbon dioxide efficiently into groundwater
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2(a)~2(c)
Figure 3
AI summary
A carbon dioxide tank (3) is connected to a pump device (5). The pump device (5) is joined and connected with an infusion well (9), which is a tubular body. The infusion well (9) extends downward beneath the ground (7) and is provided so as to reach a saltwater aquifer (11). Part of the infusion well (9) forms a horizontal well (10) in a substantially horizontal direction. In other words, the horizontal well (10) is a location in which part of the infusion well (9) is formed in a substantially horizontal direction within a saltwater aquifer (11). The horizontal well (10) is provided with filters (13), which are porous members. For the filters (13), for example, a fired member in which ceramic particles are mixed with a binder that binds those particles can be used. Moreover, if the hole diameter for the filters (13) is small, microbubbles with a smaller diameter can be generated.