Systems and methods for enhancing rates of in situ carbonation of peridotite

• US 8,524,152 B2
• Filed: 12/31/2008
• Issued: 09/03/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/03/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Trustees Of Columbia University In The City Of New York (Columbia University)
• Original Assignee: Trustees Of Columbia University In The City Of New York (Columbia University)
• Inventors: Kelemen, Peter B., Matter, Juerg M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Warden, Jill
• Assistant Examiner(s): HAMMOND, CHARLES
• Application Number:
  US12/810,153
• Publication Number:
  US 20100324351A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,707 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 422/62
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2251/402 of magnesium
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2251/404 of calcium
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2251/602 Oxides
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2253/106 Silica or silicates
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2257/504 Carbon dioxide
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/62 Carbon oxides
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 32/60 Preparation of carbonates or bicarbonates in general of percarbonates C01B15/10; of specific carbonates or bicarbonates according to the cation C01B-C01G
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 33/22 Magnesium silicates
• CPC Class Codes: C01F 5/24 Magnesium carbonates
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 41/0064 Carbon dioxide sequestration storing fluids in porous layers B65G5/005
• CPC Class Codes: Y02C 20/40 of CO2
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 20/151 Reduction of greenhouse gas [GHG] emissions, e.g. CO2

Abstract

Methods and systems for enhancing rates of in situ carbonation of peridotite are disclosed. In some embodiments, the methods and systems include the following: fracturing a volume of peridotite in situ; heating the volume of peridotite in situ; injecting carbon dioxide into the volume of peridotite in situ; and forming carbonate in situ with the volume of peridotite and the carbon dioxide.

Claims

1. A system for sequestering carbon dioxide via in situ carbonation of peridotite, said system comprising:

a fracturing module for fracturing a volume of peridotite in situ;

a carbon dioxide injection module including a carbon dioxide source and means for injecting carbon dioxide from said carbon dioxide source into said volume of peridotite in situ;

a heating module for heating said volume of peridotite in situ; and

a control module including temperature sensors configured to measure temperatures of said volume of peridotite and said carbon dioxide source, a pressure sensor configured to measure a pressure of said carbon dioxide source, carbonation sensors configured to measure a rate carbonation of said volume of peridotite, and an analysis sub-module configured to analyze data generated by said temperature, pressure, and carbonation sensors, where the control module is configured to control said fracturing module, said heating module, and said carbon dioxide injection module based on said analysis of said data generated by said temperature, pressure, and carbonation sensors.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said fracturing module includes means for drilling and hydraulic fracturing said volume of peridotite in situ.

3. The system of claim 1, said heating module comprising:

a volume of fluid;

a heat source for heating said volume of fluid thereby creating a heated volume of fluid;

a conduit formed between said heated volume of fluid and said volume of peridotite; and

a pump for pumping said heated volume of fluid to said volume of peridotite.

4. The system of claim 1, said carbon dioxide injection module comprising:

a conduit between said carbon dioxide source and said volume of peridotite; and

a compressor for compressing said carbon dioxide source thereby increasing a pressure of said carbon dioxide source.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said control module is configured to direct said fracturing module to perform additional fracturing of said volume of peridotite when said rate of carbonation is below a predetermined level.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said control module is configured to discontinue operation of heating module when heat from a carbonation reaction of said volume of peridotite is capable of maintaining a temperature of about 185 degrees Celsius in said volume of peridotite.