Wellhead Gas Utilization for Carbon Emission Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flaring of wellhead gas results in inefficient combustion and emission of greenhouse gases, including methane and carbon dioxide, with no economic or safe means to collect and utilize this byproduct gas for energy production.
Innovation Solution
Converting wellhead gas into a fuel supply for generators to produce electricity, calculating the carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emissions from both generator and flare stack systems to determine the carbon emission reduction, and using this data to decide whether to flare or generate electricity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If wellhead gas is flared to the atmosphere, then safety problems are avoided and operational simplicity is maintained, but greenhouse gas emissions increase and environmental harm occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful flared gas into a beneficial resource by capturing it and using it as fuel for generators. The system transforms what was previously wasted and harmful (flared methane) into useful electricity generation, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions while creating economic value from the byproduct gas
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary components including gas collection infrastructure, storage systems, and generator equipment that mediate between the wellhead gas source and the electricity generation. These intermediaries enable the transition from direct flaring to controlled utilization, managing the complexity of gas capture, storage, and conversion processes
2Object-affected harmful factors
If wellhead gas is collected and used as fuel, then carbon emission reduction is achieved, but infrastructure and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a multi-functional system where the gas collection infrastructure serves multiple purposes: capturing wellhead gas for environmental protection, storing it for later use, and feeding it to generators for electricity production. This universal approach allows the same infrastructure to address both environmental concerns and energy generation needs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary gas collection and storage actions before electricity generation. By capturing and storing the wellhead gas in advance, the system prepares the fuel supply needed for subsequent generator operation, ensuring continuous electricity production while maintaining environmental benefits
3Loss of energy
If wellhead gas is flared, then operational simplicity is maintained, but energy waste occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the gas collection and storage system to serve the generators, creating a self-sufficient energy production system. The wellhead gas captured and stored autonomously fuels the generators, allowing the facility to produce its own electricity without external energy inputs, thereby recovering energy that would otherwise be lost to flaring
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
Reduces atmospheric CO2e emissions by utilizing wellhead gas for electricity generation, providing a measurable carbon emission reduction that can be used for environmental footprint analysis and potential financial benefits through carbon credits.
Implementation Method 1
using wellhead gas as a fuel supply to one or more generators to produce electricity
Implementation Method 2
determining a carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emission associated with flaring the same quantity of wellhead gas via a flare stack system
Data Source
AI summary
A process for calculating a carbon emission reduction includes calculating a carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) output associated with using a measured quantity of wellhead gas in generators to produce electricity, determining a carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emission associated with flaring the measured quantity of wellhead gas, and calculating a carbon emission reduction as the difference between the determined CO2e emission and the calculated CO2e output. According to an embodiment, the process further includes determining, by a user, an emissions output based on the calculated carbon emission reduction, the emissions output defining an environmental footprint; and determining, by the user, based on the emissions output whether to use the quantity of wellhead gas as the fuel supply to the generator to produce electricity instead of flaring the same quantity of wellhead gas to the atmosphere.