Method for carbon dioxide separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing separation techniques are inefficient for separating carbon dioxide from gaseous oil well effluent, which contains significant quantities of other constituents like water vapor and hydrocarbons, leading to reduced operating efficiency in enhanced oil recovery processes.
Innovation Solution
A carbon dioxide separation system that employs a vortex separator or pressure vessel to separate the gaseous mixture into a first fraction of purified carbon dioxide and a second fraction of lighter molecular weight constituents, such as water vapor and methane, using vortex-induced separation and liquefaction methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If existing separation techniques (amine separation, solvent separation, molecular sieve separation) are used to separate carbon dioxide from gaseous oil well effluent, then carbon dioxide can be separated, but the separation efficiency is low due to the relatively high percentage of carbon dioxide in the effluent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the gas mixture by cooling it to a temperature between -100°F and -160°F, which causes carbon dioxide to condense into liquid form while lighter hydrocarbons remain gaseous. This parameter change enables efficient separation based on phase differences rather than relying on conventional separation methods that struggle with high CO2 concentrations.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes phase transition by cooling the gaseous effluent to convert carbon dioxide from gas to liquid phase, while lighter constituents remain in the gas phase. This phase difference allows for simple and effective separation through condensation, resolving the inefficiency of conventional separation techniques.
2Productivity
If oxygen burning is used to remove carbon dioxide, then carbon dioxide can be eliminated, but hydrocarbon resources in the effluent are wasted
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using oxygen burning which destroys hydrocarbons, the patent changes the temperature parameter to a range where carbon dioxide condenses but lighter hydrocarbons remain gaseous and recoverable. This allows carbon dioxide removal without hydrocarbon destruction, preserving valuable resources.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses phase transition at controlled temperatures to separate carbon dioxide from hydrocarbons physically rather than chemically. This non-destructive separation method eliminates the need for combustion, preventing hydrocarbon resource waste while achieving effective carbon dioxide removal.
3Productivity
If conventional separation methods are used, then some carbon dioxide separation can be achieved, but operating efficiency in enhanced oil recovery is significantly reduced due to contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by cooling the gas to specific temperatures where carbon dioxide condenses completely, achieving high purity separation. This results in CO2 that is 95-99% pure, which when reinjected into the reservoir, maintains optimal EOR operating efficiency without the performance reduction caused by contaminated CO2.
Solution Approach 2:
By utilizing phase transition to completely condense and separate carbon dioxide from lighter hydrocarbons, the method produces highly purified CO2 suitable for EOR applications. This eliminates the operating efficiency reduction that occurs when contaminated CO2 is reinjected, as the separation achieves the high purity levels needed for effective enhanced oil recovery.
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 system effectively separates carbon dioxide from gaseous mixtures with high concentrations, achieving purities of up to 99% carbon dioxide, thereby improving the efficiency of enhanced oil recovery processes and enabling reuse of carbon dioxide without wasting hydrocarbon resources.
Implementation Method 1
A carbon dioxide separation system that employs a vortex separator or pressure vessel to separate the gaseous mixture into a first fraction of purified carbon dioxide and a second fraction of lighter molecular weight constituents, such as water vapor and methane, using vortex-induced separation and liquefaction methods.
Implementation Method 2
A carbon dioxide separation system that employs a vortex separator or pressure vessel to separate the gaseous mixture into a first fraction of purified carbon dioxide and a second fraction of lighter molecular weight constituents, such as water vapor and methane, using vortex-induced separation and liquefaction methods.
Data Source
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AI summary
A separation system including a source of a gaseous mixture, the gaseous mixture comprising at least a first constituent and a second constituent, and a separation unit in communication with the source to receive the gaseous mixture and at least partially separate the first constituent from the second constituent, wherein the separation unit comprises at least one of a vortex separator and a pressure vessel.