Silicate Nanoparticle Injection for Subsurface Carbon Mineralization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current carbon capture and storage technologies face challenges in effectively sequestering carbon dioxide in subterranean formations, particularly in environments with limited availability of metal cations necessary for mineralization reactions, which limits the rate and volume of carbon sequestration and requires complete fluid sealing.
Innovation Solution
Injecting an aqueous solution and a mixture of silicate nanoparticles suspended in an acidic solution into a subterranean zone, where the nanoparticles decompose to provide metal cations for reaction with carbon dioxide, forming carbonate minerals that sequester carbon, thereby enhancing sequestration efficiency and reducing water requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional carbon sequestration methods are used in subterranean formations, then carbon storage capacity is limited by the availability of metal cations, but the rate and volume of carbon sequestration can be increased by providing additional metal cations through silicate nanoparticle decomposition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by injecting silicate nanoparticles into the subterranean formation before or during carbon dioxide injection. These nanoparticles pre-position metal cations (such as calcium and magnesium) that will be released through decomposition, ensuring metal cations are available when carbon dioxide arrives for mineralization reactions, thereby accelerating carbon sequestration rates without waiting for natural weathering processes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the subterranean environment by introducing silicate nanoparticles that alter the availability and concentration of metal cations. The decomposition of these nanoparticles releases additional metal cations into the formation, changing the chemical composition and enabling faster carbonate mineral precipitation than would occur with native metal cation availability alone
2Reliability
If complete fluid sealing is required for carbon sequestration, then carbon migration is prevented, but the complexity and feasibility of the sequestration system is reduced by eliminating the sealing requirement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the previously harmful or problematic requirement for complete fluid sealing into a beneficial feature by demonstrating that rapid mineralization through silicate nanoparticle decomposition creates solid carbonate minerals that inherently trap carbon without requiring fluid seals. The mineralization process itself becomes the containment mechanism, transforming a structural requirement into a chemical solution
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of fluid sealing (physical barriers and containment structures) with a chemical system of mineralization and solid carbonate formation. Instead of relying on engineered seals to prevent carbon migration, the system uses chemical reactions to convert carbon dioxide into solid mineral forms that are naturally contained in the rock matrix
3Quantity of substance
If large volumes of aqueous solution are used for carbon sequestration, then metal cation availability is maintained, but water consumption and environmental impact increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the concentration parameters by using highly concentrated silicate nanoparticle suspensions that release large amounts of metal cations in small volumes of water. This approach maintains sufficient metal cation availability for carbon mineralization while minimizing the total water volume required, compared to traditional methods that would require large volumes of dilute aqueous solutions
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 increases the rate and volume of carbon sequestration by providing additional metal cations, allowing for effective trapping of carbon in solid carbonate mineral form, even in environments with limited metal availability, and does not require complete fluid sealing, thus preventing carbon migration.
Implementation Method 1
least a portion of the metal cations are a product of decomposition of the silicate nanoparticles in the acidic solution
Implementation Method 2
sequestering a least a portion of the carbon in the fluid-filled volume by precipitation of carbonate minerals in the fluid-filled volume
Implementation Method 3
At least a portion of the carbonate minerals are formed from reaction of metal cations with bicarbonate formed from the carbon dioxide
Implementation Method 4
bicarbonate formed from the carbon dioxide
Implementation Method 5
reaction of metal cations with bicarbonate formed from the carbon dioxide, forming carbonate minerals
Implementation Method 6
forming a fluid-filled volume in the subterranean zone by injecting an aqueous solution into the subterranean zone
Data Source
AI summary
A method for subsurface sequestration of carbon in a subterranean zone includes forming a fluid-filled volume in the subterranean zone by injecting an aqueous into the subterranean zone and injecting a mixture comprising silicate nanoparticles suspended in an acidic solution having a pH of less than 4. Carbon in the form of carbon dioxide is injected into the fluid-filled volume such that a least a portion of the carbon is sequestered by precipitation of carbonate minerals. At least a portion of the carbonate minerals are formed from reaction of metal cations with bicarbonate formed from the carbon dioxide, and least a portion of the metal cations are a product of decomposition of the silicate nanoparticles in the acidic solution.