Subterranean Sorbent Particle Sequestration for CO2 and H2S
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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, and there is a need for improved methods to manage hydrogen sulfide gas in hydrocarbon production.
Innovation Solution
Injecting pollutant-sorbent particles, such as metal-organic frameworks or nanoparticles, into subterranean reservoirs to adsorb or absorb carbon dioxide or hydrogen sulfide, using carrier gases or liquids, and releasing the gases through controlled modifications in temperature, pressure, or pH.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If CO2 is stored in liquid phase in subterranean reservoirs, then storage capacity is improved, but substantial energy is required to maintain liquid phase conditions and compress CO2
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the phase parameter of CO2 from liquid to solid by lowering temperature below the freezing point of CO2 (approximately -78.5°C at atmospheric pressure). This allows CO2 to be stored as dry ice particles in the subterranean reservoir, eliminating the need for high-pressure compression while maintaining storage capacity. The solid phase storage utilizes the natural cold temperatures of deep earth formations to maintain CO2 in frozen state.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transition of CO2 from gas to solid (deposition) for storage. By injecting CO2 in a state that will freeze upon contact with the cooler reservoir environment, the system transforms CO2 directly into solid particles that can be stored without requiring liquid-phase pressure maintenance. This phase transition approach eliminates the energy-intensive compression step required for liquid storage.
2Quantity of substance
If CO2 is stored in supercritical form in subterranean reservoirs, then storage capacity is improved, but it is difficult to quantify the total subterranean pressure required when other gaseous components are present
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the storage approach from supercritical fluid to solid phase by utilizing temperatures below CO2 freezing point. This simplifies the pressure requirements because solid CO2 (dry ice) has well-defined vapor pressure characteristics that are independent of the complex mixture of other reservoir gases. The solid phase storage eliminates the need to calculate and maintain complex supercritical pressure conditions in the presence of multiple gas components.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If H2S is separated from crude oil and natural gas streams after production, then H2S management is achieved, but storage, transportation, and handling requirements remain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts H2S from produced streams by injecting it into the subterranean reservoir where it is converted to solid particles through the same freezing mechanism used for CO2. This extraction approach eliminates the need for separate surface storage, transportation, and handling facilities for H2S, as the gas is directly sequestered in the reservoir formation where it converts to a stable solid phase.
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
Enhances the capacity of subterranean reservoirs to sequester carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide efficiently, allowing for their subsequent release and reuse, thereby reducing environmental impact and operational costs.
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
Sequestration may also apply absorption-based techniques, whereby CO2 enters the bulk phase of an absorbent liquid
Implementation Method 3
Absorption may be by physical dissolution, or by chemical reaction with a reagent in the absorbent liquid, such as amine, to convert the CO2 to a product that more readily remains in the absorbent liquid
Implementation Method 4
releasing the gases through controlled modifications in temperature, pressure, or pH
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.