Modular Well Capping System for Abandoned Methane Emissions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Abandoned fossil fuel wells emit significant amounts of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, due to the high cost and inefficiency of existing well capping methods, which are often slow and require large, complex equipment, making it difficult to economically and immediately address emissions from remote locations.
Innovation Solution
A transportable and modular well capping system comprising interconnectable subassemblies, including a sealing mechanism, gas flow meter, hydrogen sulfide scrubber, compressor and storage, and methane destruction components, designed to fit within a standard pickup truck, allowing for on-site installation and processing of methane emissions into carbon dioxide, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and providing a cost-effective solution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional well plugging equipment is used, then proper well capping can be achieved, but the equipment is large, complicated, and heavy requiring semi-trucks and road construction, making it unsuitable for remote locations
Solution Approach 1:
The well capping system is divided into multiple modular components including a sealing mechanism, gas flow meter, hydrogen sulfide scrubber, compressor, storage tank, and methane destruction system. Each component can be independently transported and assembled on-site, enabling deployment in remote locations without requiring large heavy equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The modular components are designed with standardized interfaces and mounting mechanisms that can adapt to different well casing sizes and configurations. The system can handle various well types and emission rates, making it universally applicable across different abandonment well scenarios
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional well plugging methods are used, then proper well capping can be achieved, but the process is expensive and time-consuming with costs averaging around $68,000 per well
Solution Approach 1:
The modular components are pre-assembled and tested at manufacturing facilities before being shipped to remote well locations. This preliminary preparation reduces on-site assembly time and eliminates the need for expensive mobile rig setup, significantly reducing both costs and time required for well capping operations
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses smaller, lighter components that can be quickly deployed and, if necessary, replaced without requiring expensive heavy equipment. The modular design allows for cost-effective maintenance and replacement of individual components rather than requiring complete system replacement
3Productivity
If abandoned wells are left uncapped, then immediate emissions can be avoided, but the wells can sit for decades without bids to plug them, continuing to emit methane
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables immediate well capping by bringing all necessary components to the site in a single or few trips using standard pickup trucks. The pre-assembled modular components can be quickly installed to stop emissions immediately, while the robust design ensures long-term durability and reliability of the capping solution
Solution Approach 2:
The system includes self-contained components with integrated sealing mechanisms, gas processing equipment, and destruction systems that can operate autonomously once installed. The modular design allows for easy maintenance and replacement of components, ensuring the system remains reliable over the long term without requiring continuous external support
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 reduces methane emissions from abandoned wells by converting them into carbon dioxide, offering a cost-effective and immediate solution for capping wells of various sizes and types, while generating energy from the combustion process, thus mitigating global warming impacts.
Implementation Method 1
a hydrogen sulfide scrubber subassembly capable of receiving the emitted methane gas from the gas flow meter subassembly and scrubbing it of hydrogen sulfide
Implementation Method 2
a methane destruction subassembly capable of receiving the stored methane gas from the storage tank and igniting it to convert the methane gas to carbon dioxide
Data Source
AI summary
A transportable well capping system, kit, and methods are provided. The transportable well capping system can include a plurality of modular subsystems capable of fitting within a bed of a standard full-sized pickup truck. The modular subsystems can include a sealing mechanism subassembly including a plurality of different sized seals for securing to a range of diameters of well casings, a gas flow meter subassembly, a hydrogen sulfide scrubber subassembly, a compressor and storage subassembly capable of storing the scrubbed methane in a storage tank, and a methane destruction subassembly capable of igniting the scrubbed methane gas and converting it to carbon dioxide. The subassemblies are sized to be capable of fitting within the bed of a standard full-sized pickup truck and can be driven to a location of an abandoned well and fluidically interconnected in a manner to cap the abandoned well.