Liquid Carbon Sequestration in Underground Wells Without CO2 Compression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing carbon sequestration methods, particularly those involving CO2 geological storage, are expensive due to high energy costs associated with gas separation, compression, transportation, and monitoring, and there is a need for improved systems and methods for carbon sequestration with reduced CO2 emissions.
Innovation Solution
The method involves producing and modifying carbon-containing liquids, such as bio-oil, biocrude, glycerol, and biodiesel, to enhance their compatibility with underground wells for sequestration, using processes like pyrolysis, hydrothermal liquefaction, and transesterification, and injecting them into underground formations without the need for compression.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If CO2 geological storage is used for carbon sequestration, then carbon can be stored in underground formations, but high energy costs are incurred due to gas separation, compression, transportation, and monitoring
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of carbon from gaseous CO2 to liquid form through chemical conversion processes (pyrolysis, hydrothermal liquefaction, fermentation). This parameter change eliminates the need for compression equipment and reduces transportation energy requirements, as liquids are easier to pump and handle than compressed gases
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical compression systems with chemical conversion processes. Instead of mechanically compressing CO2 gas into storage formations, the system uses chemical processes to directly produce liquid carbon-containing materials that can be injected into underground formations using standard pumping equipment, thereby eliminating high-energy compression infrastructure
2Reliability
If CO2 geological storage is used for carbon sequestration, then carbon can be stored in underground formations, but expensive infrastructure and operational costs are incurred
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by using existing oil and gas industry infrastructure for well construction, pumping, and underground injection. The liquid carbon-containing materials can be handled with the same equipment used for oil and gas operations, eliminating the need to build specialized compression and transportation infrastructure for CO2 storage
Solution Approach 2:
By changing carbon from gaseous to liquid form, the patent enables the use of existing liquid handling infrastructure rather than requiring specialized gas compression and transportation systems. This parameter change allows leverage of established oil and gas industry assets, significantly reducing infrastructure capital costs
3Quantity of substance
If gaseous CO2 is used as injectant, then carbon can be stored, but compression equipment and processes are required which increase capital and operational costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of carbon from gas to liquid through chemical conversion processes. This eliminates the need for compression equipment entirely, as liquids can be pumped and injected into underground formations using standard pumping technology, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining carbon storage capacity
4Reliability
If solid carbon materials like biochar are used for sequestration, then carbon can be stored in soil, but handling and transportation become more difficult compared to liquids
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes carbon from solid particulate form to liquid form through chemical conversion processes. This parameter change dramatically improves ease of operation, as liquids are easier to pump, transport, and inject than solid particles. The liquid form eliminates issues with particle size control, clogging, and complex handling procedures required for solid biochar materials
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 reduces infrastructure and operational costs, improves handling and reliability, and simplifies the sequestration process by using standard oil and gas industry equipment, making it more efficient and cost-effective.
Implementation Method 1
The carbon-containing liquids can be produced using a variety of chemical processes, including, for example, pyrolysis
Implementation Method 2
The carbon-containing liquids can be produced using a variety of chemical processes, including, for example, pyrolysis, hydrothermal liquefaction
Implementation Method 3
The carbon-containing liquids can be produced using a variety of chemical processes, including, for example, pyrolysis, hydrothermal liquefaction, transesterification, and fermentation
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4A~4B
AI summary
This disclosure relates to a method and a system for sequestering carbon-containing materials in underground wells. An example method includes: obtaining a material comprising a carbon-containing liquid; optionally testing the material for compatibility with an underground well; optionally adjusting a property of the material to improve the compatibility; and providing the material for injection into the underground well.