Portable Liquid CO2 Capture System for Hydraulic Fracturing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Hydraulic fracturing equipment is damaged by continuous contact with liquid CO2 due to its low temperature and high pressure, leading to equipment degradation and environmental issues from venting CO2 into the atmosphere.
Innovation Solution
A portable system captures and stores liquid CO2 by isolating it within insulated containers during hydraulic fracturing operations, reducing equipment contact time and preventing CO2 venting, using a pipeline system with check valves and pumps to manage the CO2 flow and storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If liquid CO2 is continuously flowed through the pipeline to perform hydraulic fracturing, then the fracturing operation is effective, but the equipment is damaged due to low temperature and high pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the liquid CO2 from the pipeline system after the hydraulic fracturing operation is completed. By withdrawing the CO2 using a pump and storing it in a storage container, the harmful substance is taken out of the system that causes equipment damage, thereby protecting the pipeline and associated equipment from continuous exposure to low temperature and high pressure conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a recovery system that captures the liquid CO2 after use rather than allowing it to remain in or be vented from the pipeline. The CO2 is recovered by pumping it into a storage container, preserving the valuable substance and preventing environmental release while eliminating the damaging effects of continuous presence in the equipment.
2Stress or pressure
If liquid CO2 is vented into the atmosphere after use, then equipment is relieved of pressure, but environmental damage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of venting CO2 into the atmosphere, the patent recovers the liquid CO2 by pumping it into a storage container. This recovery approach simultaneously relieves the pipeline of pressure while capturing the CO2 for potential reuse or proper disposal, thereby eliminating environmental harm while maintaining pressure management functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potentially harmful action of pressure relief through venting into a beneficial process by capturing and storing the CO2. The same mechanism that relieves pressure now also prevents environmental pollution, transforming a harmful discharge into a useful recovery operation.
3Quantity of substance
If the pipeline is isolated to withdraw CO2, then CO2 can be captured, but the fracturing operation must be stopped
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a preliminary action by installing a check valve and pump system in advance within the pipeline configuration. These components are pre-positioned to enable rapid isolation and CO2 withdrawal when needed, allowing the system to quickly capture CO2 and resume fracturing operations with minimal interruption to overall productivity.
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 solution reduces equipment damage, extends its lifespan, and minimizes environmental impact by maintaining CO2 in a liquid state for transport and storage, while enabling efficient hydraulic fracturing with reduced CO2 emissions.
Implementation Method 1
a temperature and a pressure of the liquid CO2 container is maintained at a temperature and a pressure, respectively, at which CO2 remains in liquid state
Implementation Method 2
a check valve is fluidically coupled to the pipeline at a location between the multiple liquid CO2 containers and the wellhead. The check valve is operated to isolate a portion of the pipeline
Implementation Method 3
A pipeline pump is fluidically coupled to the check valve and the liquid CO2 container into which the portion of the liquid CO2 is withdrawn. The pipeline pump is operated to draw the portion of the liquid CO2 into the liquid CO2 container
Implementation Method 4
The liquid CO2 storage container is de-coupled from the pipeline. The liquid CO2 storage container filled with the portion of the liquid CO2 is transported away from the wellbore
Data Source
AI summary
A hydraulic fracturing operation is performed in a wellbore formed in a subterranean zone. A wellhead is installed at an entrance to the wellbore. Liquid CO2 is flowed through a pipeline located at a surface and fluidically coupled to the wellhead. The liquid CO2 is flowed into the wellbore through the wellhead to perform the hydraulic fracturing. The hydraulic fracturing operation including flowing of the liquid CO2 through the pipeline to the wellhead is stopped. A portion of the liquid CO2 is withdrawn from within the pipeline into a liquid CO2 storage container, which is a portable system designed to capture and store liquid CO2 and that is fluidically coupled to the pipeline at the surface.