Integrated Sour CO2 Capture and EOR Injection Process
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge lies in integrating synthesis gas production processes with enhanced oil recovery (EOR) to minimize CO2 release into the atmosphere, reduce the need for long CO2 transport pipelines, and enhance the efficiency and economics of both processes, particularly due to the hazards and costs associated with transporting supercritical CO2 and sour CO2 streams.
Innovation Solution
An integrated process that involves producing an acid gas-depleted hydrocarbon product stream by injecting a pressurized sour carbon dioxide stream into an underground hydrocarbon reservoir, recovering hydrocarbons, separating the hydrocarbon stream, producing synthesis gas from a carbonaceous feedstock, and treating it in an acid gas removal unit to generate a sour carbon dioxide stream, which is then compressed and used for EOR, while also treating the gaseous hydrocarbon product stream to remove hydrogen sulfide if present.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If CO2 from synthesis gas production is captured and transported via pipeline to EOR sites, then CO2 utilization for enhanced oil recovery is achieved, but pipeline construction and operation costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the synthesis gas production facility and EOR operations at the same location, eliminating the need for long-distance CO2 transport pipelines. The acid gas removal unit at the synthesis gas plant directly supplies CO2 to injection wells on-site or nearby, merging two previously separate processes into an integrated system that reduces infrastructure complexity and costs.
2Quantity of substance
If CO2 is separated from synthesis gas via acid gas removal, then CO2 stream is obtained for EOR, but separation process complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The synthesis gas production process itself provides the CO2 separation function through integrated acid gas removal units. The process uses conventional, well-established acid gas removal technologies that are already part of the synthesis gas plant infrastructure, allowing the system to serve its own CO2 separation needs without requiring separate, dedicated separation facilities.
3Productivity
If sour CO2 stream containing hydrogen sulfide is used for EOR, then minimum miscibility pressure is reduced and EOR effectiveness is improved, but transportation hazards and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful hydrogen sulfide component into a beneficial element by utilizing the sour CO2 stream directly for EOR without removal. The hydrogen sulfide present in the sour CO2 stream lowers the minimum miscibility pressure, improving EOR effectiveness. By eliminating the need to remove H2S before transport, the patent eliminates transportation hazards associated with sour gas pipelines while maintaining or enhancing EOR performance.
4Adaptability or versatility
If long-distance CO2 transport is implemented, then CO2 can be utilized at distant EOR sites, but construction and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The acid gas removal unit serves multiple functions: it separates CO2 for EOR utilization, removes hydrogen sulfide to produce sweet synthesis gas, and provides a source of sour CO2 for enhanced oil recovery. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate CO2 capture, transport, and injection infrastructure, reducing overall system complexity and costs.
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 maximizes CO2 capture and sequestration, reduces pipeline infrastructure costs, and improves the integration and efficiency of synthesis gas production and EOR processes by utilizing a sour CO2 stream for enhanced oil recovery, thereby enhancing hydrocarbon production while minimizing environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
The high-pressure CO2 also acts as a solvent, dissolving the residual oil, thereby reducing its viscosity and improving its flow characteristics
Implementation Method 2
treating the synthesis gas stream and optionally the gaseous hydrocarbon product stream in an acid gas removal unit to produce the acid gas-depleted hydrocarbon product gas stream and a sour carbon dioxide stream
Implementation Method 3
pressurizing the sour carbon dioxide stream to generate the pressurized sour carbon dioxide stream
Data Source
AI summary
An enhanced oil recovery process that is integrated with a synthesis gas generation process, such as gasification or reforming, involving capture and recycle of a sour carbon dioxide stream for EOR use.