Nonionic Surfactant for Subterranean CO2 Hydrate Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Encouraging carbon dioxide hydrate formation during subterranean storage of carbon dioxide is challenging, as existing methods struggle to facilitate effective gas hydrate formation under various conditions.
Innovation Solution
A nonionic surfactant comprising a first and second polyalkoxylated alcohol, dissolved in a carbon dioxide phase, is introduced into a subterranean formation to promote gas hydrate formation by altering surface tension and enhancing gas-water interactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional methods are used for carbon dioxide storage, then storage capacity is limited, but the rate and efficiency of gas hydrate formation are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
A nonionic surfactant is introduced as an intermediary substance to facilitate the formation of carbon dioxide gas hydrates. The surfactant molecules adsorb at the gas-water interface, reducing interfacial tension and promoting nucleation and growth of hydrate crystals, thereby significantly enhancing the formation rate and efficiency without compromising storage capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical-chemical parameters of the system by introducing surfactant compounds with specific molecular structures (containing hydrophilic and hydrophobic groups). This alters the interfacial properties between carbon dioxide gas and formation water, creating favorable conditions for rapid and efficient gas hydrate formation while maintaining high storage capacity
2Productivity
If gas hydrate formation is encouraged, then storage efficiency improves, but the complexity of the storage process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The nonionic surfactant serves as a simple intermediary that naturally accumulates at gas-water interfaces under reservoir conditions. Its amphiphilic molecular structure enables it to self-assemble and promote hydrate formation without requiring complex external equipment or multi-step processes, thereby improving efficiency while minimizing process complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The surfactant facilitates gas hydrate formation through its inherent molecular properties without requiring external energy input or complex control systems. The surfactant molecules automatically orient themselves at the gas-water interface and promote nucleation and growth of hydrate crystals under the existing temperature and pressure conditions of the subterranean formation
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
The use of the nonionic surfactant significantly enhances the rate and efficiency of gas hydrate formation, enabling cost-effective and high-capacity storage of carbon dioxide as a hydrate within subterranean formations.
Implementation Method 1
promote gas hydrate formation by altering surface tension and enhancing gas-water interactions
Implementation Method 2
Gas hydrates form when small, non-polar gas molecules become embedded within a network of hydrogen bonds from water molecules to define a solid lattice
Implementation Method 3
small, non-polar gas molecules become embedded within a network of hydrogen bonds from water molecules to define a solid lattice
Data Source
AI summary
Carbon dioxide may be stored within a gas hydrate of a subterranean formation. For example, compositions for storage of carbon dioxide in a gas hydrate may comprise: a carbon dioxide phase; and a nonionic surfactant that is at least partially dissolved in the carbon dioxide phase, the nonionic surfactant including a first polyalkoxylated alcohol and a second polyalkoxylated alcohol, in which each polyalkoxylated alcohol is a reaction product of an aliphatic alcohol and one or more of ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, and butylene oxide.