Nanobubble CO2 Delivery for Produced Water Sequestration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing oil and gas operations generate large volumes of produced water contaminated with hydrocarbons and various contaminants, which are difficult to treat effectively for disposal, and carbon dioxide emissions are not efficiently sequestered, often re-entering the atmosphere.
Innovation Solution
A nanobubble delivery system introduces carbon dioxide in the form of nanobubbles into produced water, combined with an automated treatment system that uses ozone/oxygen mixtures and nitrogen injection to enhance treatment and sequestration, including slipstream injection and friction reduction, while maintaining stability and solubility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If produced water is treated by conventional means to separate hydrocarbons and remove contaminants, then the water can be disposed of, but carbon dioxide emissions are not efficiently sequestered and re-enter the atmosphere
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state and size parameter of carbon dioxide by converting it into nanobubbles (1-100 nanometers in diameter). This parameter change allows CO2 to be injected into produced water at supersaturated concentrations without immediate outgassing, thereby improving sequestration efficiency and preventing atmospheric release
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions carbon dioxide from a gaseous phase to a nanobubble phase dispersed within the liquid produced water. This dimensional transition from gas to liquid-dispersed nanobubbles enables the CO2 to be transported and stored in the produced water stream, converting an atmospheric emission problem into a subsurface storage solution
2Quantity of substance
If carbon dioxide is injected into produced water in conventional forms, then some sequestration occurs, but the CO2 quickly outgasses and re-enters the atmosphere
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the size parameter of CO2 to nanoscale dimensions (1-100 nm), the patent prevents rapid outgassing. The nanobubble size creates sufficient surface tension and reduces gas transfer rates, allowing CO2 to remain dissolved in produced water for extended periods during transport and injection, thereby increasing both storage quantity and retention time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-converting CO2 into nanobubbles before injection into produced water. This pre-treatment ensures that CO2 is in the optimal nanobubble form for stable dissolution and transport, preventing subsequent outgassing issues and ensuring long-term retention in subsurface formations
3Object-generated harmful factors
If nanobubble delivery system is used to introduce carbon dioxide into produced water, then carbon sequestration is enhanced, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The nanobubble delivery system is integrated into the existing produced water treatment and injection infrastructure. The system performs multiple functions: CO2 conversion to nanobubbles, mixing with produced water, and injection into subsurface formations. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated equipment, thereby limiting the increase in overall system complexity while achieving enhanced sequestration
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 clarifies produced water, reduces friction, minimizes scaling, and enhances carbon sequestration by maintaining carbon dioxide in supersaturated form, reducing emissions and operational costs, and improving oil recovery processes.
Implementation Method 1
maintaining carbon dioxide in supersaturated form
Implementation Method 2
introduces carbon dioxide in the form of nanobubbles
Implementation Method 3
uses ozone/oxygen mixtures to enhance treatment
Implementation Method 4
nitrogen injection to enhance treatment and sequestration, including slipstream injection and friction reduction
Implementation Method 5
minimizes scaling
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for carbon sequestration in conjunction with oil and gas operations. Carbon dioxide in the form of nanobubbles is used to supersaturate treated produced water. The supersaturated produced water is then injected into Class II injection wells for effective storage in underground formations in conjunction with enhanced recovery operations or the storage and disposal of produced water from production operations.