Sorbent Particle Sequestration for CO2 and H2S Reservoir Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide sequestration in subterranean reservoirs are inefficient and require substantial energy or complex carrier fluids, and there is a need for improved methods to manage these pollutants effectively.
Innovation Solution
The method involves injecting pollutant-sorbent particles, such as nanoparticles, into a subterranean reservoir to adsorb carbon dioxide or hydrogen sulfide, using carrier gases or liquids, and optionally releasing the pollutants through temperature, pressure, or pH adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If CO2 is stored in liquid phase in subterranean reservoir, then storage capacity is improved, but temperature must be sufficiently low and pressure sufficiently high which requires substantial energy for compression and cooling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the phase parameter of CO2 from liquid to supercritical phase, and utilizes temperature and pressure changes in the reservoir environment to achieve storage without substantial compression and cooling energy input. The supercritical phase allows storage at reservoir conditions rather than requiring surface-level liquid phase conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs phase transition of CO2 from gaseous to supercritical phase upon injection into the reservoir. The phase change occurs in-situ at reservoir conditions, leveraging the natural temperature and pressure environment to achieve storage without energy-intensive phase control at surface facilities.
2Adaptability or versatility
If CO2 is stored in supercritical form in subterranean reservoir, then storage flexibility is improved, but it is difficult to quantify total subterranean pressure required when other gaseous components are present
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses sorbent particles as an intermediary mechanism to sequester CO2. Rather than relying on pressure quantification to maintain supercritical phase, the sorbents provide a chemical/physical mechanism for CO2 removal that operates independently of precise pressure control, simplifying the system while maintaining storage flexibility.
3Productivity
If adsorption-based techniques are used for CO2 sequestration, then sequestration efficiency is improved, but substantial energy is required for compression to supercritical phase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the phase of CO2 to supercritical upon injection, which increases density and enhances adsorption efficiency. This parameter change allows the sorbent particles to achieve higher productivity while the compression energy is provided by natural reservoir pressure rather than surface-level compression equipment.
4Manufacturing precision
If H2S is separated from crude oil and natural gas streams after production, then product purity is improved, but storage, transportation, and handling complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary separation of H2S at the wellhead using sorbent particles before the gas enters the transportation and processing system. This preliminary action removes H2S early in the production chain, achieving product purity protection while avoiding the need for complex downstream storage and handling facilities for H2S.
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 enhances the capacity of subterranean reservoirs to sequester carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide efficiently, allowing for their temporary or permanent storage and subsequent release, while minimizing energy consumption and operational complexity.
Implementation Method 1
Sequestration may apply adsorption-based techniques, whereby CO2 is taken up, either physically or chemically, by the surface of an adsorbent in solid phase
Implementation Method 2
Absorption may be by physical dissolution, or by chemical reaction with a reagent in the absorbent liquid
Implementation Method 3
chemical reaction with a reagent in the absorbent liquid, such as amine, to convert the CO2 to a product
Implementation Method 4
The injected steam exits the injection well and rises in the reservoir to form a steam-saturated zone, where heavy oil is heated by the steam and thereby reduced in viscosity
Implementation Method 5
The reduced-viscosity oil drains downward by gravity into the production well, through which it is produced to the surface
Data Source
AI summary
Methods are provided for sequestering a pollutant gas of carbon dioxide (CO2) gas and/or hydrogen sulfide (H2S) gas in a subterranean reservoir. In one method, a carrier gas containing pollutant-sorbent particles (e.g., nanoparticles) is pumped into the subterranean reservoir, the pollutant-sorbent particles attach to the subterranean reservoir, the pollutant gas is pumped into the subterranean reservoir, and the pollutant-sorbent particles attached to the subterranean reservoir adsorb the pollutant gas. In another method, pollutant gas is introduced into a carrier liquid containing pollutant-sorbent particles to produce a pollutant-rich carrier liquid, the pollutant-rich carrier liquid is pumped into the subterranean reservoir, and the pollutant-rich carrier liquid is allowed to remain in the subterranean reservoir. A modifier gas or modifier liquid may be injected into the subterranean reservoir to modify a condition in the subterranean reservoir and thereby cause the pollutant-sorbent particles to release the sequestered pollutant gas.