SI
SI
discoversearch

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor.  We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community.  If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.
Gold/Mining/Energy : Big Dog's Boom Boom Room -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?


To: Bearcatbob who wrote (126033)11/28/2009 9:33:03 AM
From: Ed Ajootian  Read Replies (1) | Respond to of 206325
 
BCBob, you're starting to get beyond my knowledge at this point, sorry. There is a video on the DNR website showing several college professors and other experts saying that the CO2 is "permanently" sequestered underground when used in this manner. Not sure how the physics of it all works however.

The CO2 is getting pumped 1-2 miles underground, with no way to get out other than by pushing the oil up the wellbores. I don't believe there is much mixing in of CO2 with the oil during this process (similar to what happens with an oil reservoir sitting on top of natural gas).



To: Bearcatbob who wrote (126033)11/29/2009 9:30:15 PM
From: Archie Meeties  Read Replies (1) | Respond to of 206325
 
Bob, If I remember right the CO2 can do several things. It can dissolve in the oil increasing it's viscosity. It can be adsorbed into the rock displacing the oil or gas (or water). For example, the ratio of adsorption of co2 to c4 is between 2:1 to 10:1 (depending on the source rock). IIRC it also generates heat when it is adsorbed and might that change viscosity. I think the stuff I read was on the DOE page and I'm sure others here know more about the nuts and bolts of it. I suppose if it dissolved in the oil and the oil is pumped out then that CO2 is lost? Maybe it's recovered somehow and pumped back? If you're interested in this you should also look up co2 and coal bed methane, I think Burlington has been doing co2 enhanced gas recovery for years.

As you're aware, the problem is that flue gas isn't pure co2, it's only 10-20% at best. As Ed points out there are other rather pure sources of co2 from the chemical industry. I think ethanol production also gives of co2 in a pure form (would make sense as co2 is the waste gas yeast pumps out as it's fermenting sugars).

Although I'd be curious as to what would happen if straight flue gas was pumped? If cap and trade passes, or some sort of carbon tax put into place, this might change the equation from maximal hydrocarbon production to maximal co2 storage that provides a decent roi. Maybe flue gas has a chance in this case?

Time to get mineral rights on some unmineable coal seams that could be used for CO2 sequestration?

In any case, my favorite use of co2 in flue gas is the following
ent.ohiou.edu