NMR Relaxation Time Measurement for Gas Wettability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods lack an effective way to measure gas wettability, particularly for CO2 and supercritical fluid wettability, which is crucial for CO2 storage site selection and the economic success of hydrogen energy, as existing technologies do not provide reliable measurements for these conditions.
Innovation Solution
A nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) relaxation time measurement-based method is employed to determine gas wettability by analyzing core samples from subterranean formations, using 1H and 13C NMR techniques to assess brine and CO2 wettability independently, and calibrate the NMR-based wettability index through contact angle measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional measurement methods (acoustic, density, neutron, resistivity) are used, then measurements can be obtained, but they are dependent on mineralogy and respond to rock matrix and fluid properties rather than providing direct gas wettability information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical/physical measurement methods (acoustic, density, neutron, resistivity) with nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) technology. NMR measures the induced magnet moment of hydrogen nuclei in pore fluids, providing direct information about fluid properties and gas wettability without being dependent on rock mineralogy. This substitution enables accurate gas wettability measurement while maintaining practical device complexity levels.
2Measurement precision
If NMR measurements are used to measure fluid properties, then information about pore fluids is obtained, but there is no effective method to measure gas wettability and supercritical fluid wettability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the measurement parameters by using NMR relaxation time measurements specifically tailored for gas and supercritical fluid wettability determination. By analyzing the relaxation times of hydrogen nuclei in different fluid phases and their interaction with the rock matrix, the method extracts wettability information that was previously unmeasurable. This parameter change enables direct measurement of gas and supercritical CO2 wettability on core samples.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses NMR relaxation time as an intermediary parameter to indirectly measure gas wettability. Instead of attempting to directly observe gas-rock interactions, the method measures the relaxation behavior of hydrogen nuclei in pore fluids, which serves as a mediator that reveals wettability characteristics. This intermediary approach makes gas wettability measurement feasible and reliable.
3Reliability
If CO2 storage site selection is performed without reliable gas wettability measurements, then site evaluation can proceed, but storage capacity and long-term security assessment are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary NMR measurements on core samples obtained from potential CO2 storage sites to determine gas wettability before making storage decisions. By conducting these measurements in advance, the method provides critical wettability information that influences site selection and storage capacity assessment, ensuring more reliable and secure CO2 storage planning.
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 method allows for accurate determination of gas and supercritical fluid wettability, enabling better site selection for CO2 storage and improving the economic viability of hydrogen energy by providing reliable wettability measurements that were previously unattainable.
Implementation Method 1
NMR measures an induced magnet moment of hydrogen nuclei (protons) contained within fluid-filled pore space of porous media such as reservoir rocks
Implementation Method 2
A nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) relaxation time measurement based method is employed to determine gas wettability by analyzing core samples from subterranean formations
Data Source
AI summary
An NMR based wettability index determination method for CO2-liquid-solid system for CO2 and liquid phase wettability assessment may comprise acquiring 1H NMR relaxation time measurements, analyzing brine signals for the comparable brine-filled pores from various step, applying a wettability index model constructed with NMR alone and calibrated with another wettability measurement, and applying the wettability index model to interpret wettability of CO2-containing rock system from corresponding NMR measurements.