Hydrate Exploitation Simulator with Aquifer Permeability Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current experimental equipment for simulating natural gas hydrate exploitation lacks the capability to accurately replicate actual marine geological conditions, particularly in simulating the penetration process of seawater and aquifers, leading to discrepancies between laboratory and numerical simulation results and inefficient hydrate decomposition.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a high pressure reaction kettle, formation simulation unit, and aquifer maintaining unit is used to simulate the geological environment of a hydrate reservoir, including a confining pressure jacket, ceramic low permeability layer, and porous aquifer, with controlled temperature and pressure conditions to mimic the hydrate reservoir's conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a constant volume method is used to synthesize and decompose hydrate in existing laboratory equipment, then the experimental setup is simple, but the equipment cannot truly simulate actual marine geological conditions and lacks the capability to simulate seawater and aquifer penetration processes
Solution Approach 1:
The experimental device is divided into multiple functional modules: a high-pressure reaction kettle for hydrate formation/decomposition, an aquifer simulation system with porous layers, a seawater injection system, and a pressure control system. Each module independently simulates a specific geological component, allowing comprehensive replication of marine hydrate reservoir conditions while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
A porous ceramic layer is introduced as an intermediary component between the hydrate-bearing formation and the aquifer. This ceramic layer with controlled permeability (10^-3 to 10^-6 μm²) realistically simulates the boundary layer between gas hydrate deposits and underlying aquifers, enabling accurate simulation of fluid flow and pressure distribution patterns that occur in actual marine geological settings.
2Productivity
If pressure reducing method is used for hydrate exploitation, then the method is simple and economical, but the hydrate decomposition rate is slow and the exploitation period is long
Solution Approach 1:
The experimental device incorporates real-time pressure monitoring and control systems that continuously measure pressure changes during hydrate decomposition and automatically adjust injection/production rates. This feedback mechanism allows optimization of the pressure reducing process to maintain decomposition rates while preventing excessive water production, thereby shortening the overall exploitation period.
Solution Approach 2:
The device uses controlled gas injection (methane or nitrogen) and fluid injection systems to manipulate pressure conditions within the hydrate formation. By injecting gas into the aquifer or directly into the hydrate-bearing layer, the system creates pressure differentials that accelerate hydrate decomposition while managing water production through hydraulic control of the aquifer system.
3Reliability
If seawater permeation is allowed in pressure reducing process, then the process reflects actual geological conditions, but huge water yield severely influences pressure reducing efficiency and hydrate decomposition rate
Solution Approach 1:
The aquifer is simulated using porous ceramic layers with spatially varying permeability properties. The ceramic layer directly contacting the hydrate formation has lower permeability to restrict water flow, while deeper aquifer zones have higher permeability to maintain pressure. This local differentiation of permeability properties allows realistic simulation of geological heterogeneity while controlling water production to maintain pressure reducing efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
Porous ceramic materials with controlled pore structures are used to simulate the aquifer and boundary layer. These materials provide realistic fluid flow characteristics while allowing precise control over permeability through selection of different ceramic types and pore sizes. The porous structure enables accurate replication of capillary pressure effects and relative permeability relationships that govern water-gas flow in actual marine hydrate reservoirs.
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 setup allows for a more accurate simulation of hydrate accumulation and exploitation processes, providing a comprehensive evaluation and practical guidance for natural gas hydrate exploitation by closely mimicking the geological environment, improving the simulation's operability and relevance.
Implementation Method 1
a water bath jacket externally connected with constant temperature water bath is arranged on the outer wall of the high pressure reaction kettle for providing a necessary temperature condition
Implementation Method 2
a confining pressure jacket is arranged in the high pressure reaction kettle, and the confining pressure jacket is connected with a confining pressure pump through a confining pressure interface so as to control a confining pressure through the confining pressure pump
Implementation Method 3
a simulative well externally connected with liquid injection, gas injection, gas production and water production equipment is arranged at the center of the top of the high pressure reaction kettle
Implementation Method 4
an experimental device for simulating exploitation of a natural gas hydrate in a permeable boundary layer
Implementation Method 5
The low permeability layer is a ceramic plate, and the permeability and the thickness of the ceramic plate are prepared according to experimental requirements
Data Source
AI summary
A device for simulating exploitation of a natural gas hydrate in a permeable boundary layer includes a high pressure reaction kettle, a formation simulation unit and an aquifer maintaining unit. A water bath jacket externally connected with constant temperature water bath is arranged on the outer wall of the high pressure reaction kettle for providing a necessary temperature condition for the high pressure reaction kettle. A simulative well at the center of the top of the high pressure reaction kettle is connected with liquid injection, gas injection, gas production and water production equipment. An aquifer interface at the bottom of the high pressure reaction kettle is connected to the aquifer maintaining unit through a pipeline. The simulation device simulates the geological environment of a hydrate reservoir, allowing comprehensive evaluation of hydrate exploitation under different formation permeability and different formation pressure gradients.