Offshore CO2 Capture Platform With Direct Subsea Injection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for capturing and sequestrating carbon dioxide from power plants are energy-intensive and incur significant logistical costs due to the need for storage, liquefaction, and transportation, which reduces the overall effectiveness of carbon capture efforts.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for capturing carbon dioxide directly from offshore power plants and injecting it into a nearby subsea storage reservoir, eliminating the need for storage and transportation by positioning a gas-fired power plant and carbon capture system on marine platforms adjacent to the storage site, using absorber columns and stripper assemblies to remove CO2 from flue gas and compressing it for injection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If carbon dioxide is captured and transported using traditional methods (pipelines, pumping stations, vehicles), then carbon dioxide can be removed from the atmosphere, but significant energy is consumed and the carbon footprint increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the carbon dioxide capture system and injection system into a single integrated offshore platform. The capture system removes CO2 from flue gas, and the injection system directly reinjects it into subsurface geological formations through the same platform, eliminating the need for separate transportation infrastructure and reducing both energy consumption and carbon footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts carbon dioxide from the flue gas stream using a capture system, separates it from other gases, and then directly injects it into subsurface formations. This extraction and direct injection approach eliminates the need for long-distance transportation and associated energy consumption.
2Ease of operation
If carbon dioxide is converted to cryogenic liquid for marine vessel transport, then it can be transported to sequestration reservoir, but additional carbon footprint is generated from liquefaction and transportation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the capture, processing, and injection functions into a single offshore platform system. By maintaining CO2 in gaseous form and using direct injection through the same platform, it eliminates the need for liquefaction and marine vessel transportation, thereby avoiding the additional carbon footprint associated with these processes.
3Reliability
If captured carbon dioxide is stored at facilities for long-term storage, then it can be sequestered, but transportation infrastructure and energy are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the capture system and injection system into a single integrated offshore platform. The capture system removes CO2 from flue gas, and the injection system directly reinjects it into subsurface geological formations through the same platform, eliminating the need for separate transportation infrastructure and reducing both energy consumption and carbon footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The offshore platform itself serves as an intermediary structure that hosts both the capture and injection systems. This intermediary platform enables direct CO2 management from capture to injection without requiring external transportation infrastructure, simplifying the overall system while ensuring reliable long-term 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
This approach reduces energy consumption and logistical costs by enabling direct injection of captured CO2 into the storage reservoir, thereby enhancing the efficiency and environmental benefits of carbon capture and sequestration.
Implementation Method 1
a carbon dioxide capture system adjacent the at least one gas fired power generation system and in fluid communication with the flue gas exhaust of the at least one gas fired power generation system
Implementation Method 2
a compressor assembly in fluid communication with the carbon dioxide conveyance system and disposed to compress the captured carbon dioxide to a pressure required to inject the captured carbon dioxide into the carbon dioxide reservoir
Data Source
AI summary
A system for offshore electricity generation and direct carbon dioxide sequestration includes an offshore marine platform on which is mounted a plurality of internal combustion engines. The marine platform is deployed above an offshore, subsea storage reservoir. The internal combustion engines drive electric generators to produce electricity. Flue gas from the internal combustion engines is directed to a carbon dioxide capture system adjacent the internal combustion engines and in fluid communication with the flue gas exhausts of the internal combustion engines. The carbon dioxide capture system captures gaseous carbon dioxide from the flue gas, and then injects the captured carbon dioxide directly into the offshore, subsea storage reservoir. Compressors in fluid communication with the carbon dioxide capture system may be utilized to increase the pressure of the captured gaseous carbon dioxide to a desired injection pressure. Electricity produced by the electric generators is conveyed to a land-based power grid.