Magnetic COF Capsules for Supercritical CO2 Density Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Supercritical CO2 used in enhanced oil recovery tends to bypass sections of hydrocarbon reservoirs due to its lower density compared to water and hydrocarbons, leading to inefficient oil recovery and a phenomenon known as 'gravity override'.

Innovation Solution

An aqueous solution encapsulated by magnetic covalent organic framework particles is introduced into the supercritical CO2 medium, increasing its density and preventing gravity override by forming a dispersion that can traverse deeper into the reservoir, thereby enhancing oil recovery and allowing for tracing of the CO2 composition.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If supercritical CO2 is used for enhanced oil recovery, then oil production is enhanced and greenhouse gas sequestration is achieved, but gravity override occurs due to low density causing bypass of reservoir sections

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoil recovery efficiencyVSAvoiddensity uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite system by encapsulating aqueous solution within magnetic covalent organic framework particles. This composite structure allows the CO2 dispersion to achieve higher effective density while maintaining the beneficial properties of supercritical CO2 for oil recovery and sequestration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the density parameter of the CO2 medium by incorporating aqueous solution capsules. This parameter modification prevents gravity override while maintaining the enhanced oil recovery capabilities of supercritical CO2.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If aqueous solution capsules are added to increase CO2 density, then sweep efficiency improves, but device complexity increases due to encapsulation requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesweep efficiencyVSAvoidcapsule structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes porous covalent organic framework materials to create the capsule structure. These porous materials provide high surface area and tunable pore sizes that facilitate the encapsulation of aqueous solution while maintaining structural integrity in the CO2 medium.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The magnetic covalent organic framework particles serve as an intermediary between the aqueous solution and the supercritical CO2 medium. This intermediary structure enables density adjustment and provides magnetic tracking capabilities without direct mixing of immiscible phases.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of information

If magnetic particles are incorporated for tracking, then subsurface monitoring capability is enabled, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetracking informationVSAvoidparticle synthesis difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple functions into a single particle system: the covalent organic framework provides structural support and porosity, the encapsulated aqueous solution provides density adjustment, and the magnetic particles provide tracking capability. This integration reduces the need for separate systems while enabling comprehensive monitoring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 increased density of the CO2 dispersion improves sweep efficiency and oil recovery, ensuring that previously untreated sections of the reservoir are targeted, and the magnetic particles enable tracking of the dispersion during use.

Implementation Method 1

an aqueous solution encapsulated by magnetic covalent organic framework particles

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEncapsulation: Physical Containment

Implementation Method 2

magnetic particles enable tracking of the dispersion during use

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic properties: Magnetism

Implementation Method 3

CO2 may dissolve in the hydrocarbon fluid, reducing its viscosity and causing it to swell

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSupercritical fluid dissolution: Solvation

Implementation Method 4

increasing its density and preventing gravity override by forming a dispersion that can traverse deeper into the reservoir

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDensity gradient: Density Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS11912939B2Magnetic covalent organic frameworks as stabilizer and marker for subsurface monitoring

Publication Date: 2024.02.27 SAUDI ARABIAN OIL CO

AI summary

A dispersion of capsules in critical or supercritical carbon dioxide is provided. The capsules include an aqueous solution encapsulated by magnetic covalent organic framework particles. Also provided is a method of making a dispersion of aqueous solution capsules. The method includes providing a medium of critical or supercritical carbon dioxide, introducing the aqueous solution into the critical or supercritical carbon dioxide medium, and introducing a magnetic covalent organic framework particle into the critical or supercritical carbon dioxide medium. Associated methods of using the disclosed dispersions in hydrocarbon-bearing formations are also provided.