Nano-Bubble CO2 Scavenging for Higher Capture in Bubble Towers
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing CO2 scavenging methods in oilfield operations are inefficient due to limited contact time and surface area, leading to incomplete removal and increased environmental impact from high scavenging material concentrations.
Innovation Solution
The use of nano-bubblers to generate nano-bubbles in liquid towers, controlling bubble size and flow rate, and adjusting scavenging material concentration to enhance contact time and surface area, thereby improving CO2 removal efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional bubbling methods are used for CO2 scavenging, then the process is simple to operate, but the contact time and surface area are limited resulting in low removal efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by transitioning from conventional bubbling to nano-bubbling technology, fundamentally changing the bubble size parameter. This generates billions of nano-bubbles with extremely high surface area to volume ratio, dramatically increasing the contact surface area between CO2 and scavenging material while maintaining operational simplicity through automated nano-bubble generation systems
2Productivity
If higher concentrations of scavenging material are used to improve CO2 removal, then removal efficiency increases, but environmental harm and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the concentration parameter of scavenging material from high to low levels. The nano-bubble technology provides such extensive surface area that effective CO2 removal is achieved with much lower concentrations of scavenging material, reducing environmental harm and operational costs while maintaining high removal efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses nano-bubbles as numerous copies of gas-liquid interface, creating billions of tiny bubble surfaces that collectively provide enormous contact area. This multiplicative effect allows low concentrations of scavenging material to interact with sufficient CO2 molecules across the distributed nano-bubble surfaces, achieving high removal efficiency without high material concentrations
3Quantity of substance
If larger bubbles are used for CO2 contact, then less scavenging material is needed, but contact time decreases and removal efficiency is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the bubble size parameter from large to extremely small (nano-scale). This creates a paradoxical effect where the total volume of gas is reduced but the total surface area increases by billions of times. The nano-bubbles provide both extensive surface area for material efficiency and prolonged residence time in the liquid phase, achieving both goals simultaneously
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 increases CO2 capture efficiency, reduces facility size, and minimizes environmental harm by optimizing scavenging material use, achieving up to 99% CO2 removal with reduced costs.
Implementation Method 1
injecting the gaseous mixture into a liquid as a plurality of nanobubbles
Implementation Method 2
the liquid comprises a CO2 scavenging material that interacts with the nanobubbles and removes CO2 from the nanobubbles
Implementation Method 3
LDAC style platforms may employ a potassium hydroxide solution in a liquid that may scavenge CO2 from the air
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein are methods and materials for increasing the scavenging efficiency of carbon dioxide, such as produced during combustion operations. The gas may be initially collected and tested to determine the concentration of gas within the gas mixtures. The gas mixture, after testing, may then be passed through a bubble tower reactor that includes a concentration of scavenging material to scavenge CO2 gas from the gas mixture and generate a cleaner gas and a carbon-rich liquid after treatment.