High-pressure solvent extraction of methane from geopressured fluids
Solvent extraction is propsed as a means of recovering dissolved methane from geopressured-geothermal brines at high pressures. Our assessment shows that additional investment in a high pressure solvent extraction plant preceding direct injection disposal of brines into isolated aquifers can be profitable. The technical and economic issues are discussed and compared with other injection methods such as complete depressurization for methane recovery followed by conventional mechanical pumping. The contributions of hydraulic (pressure) energy recovery and geothermal power production are also assessed. As a first step in the evaluation of solvent extraction, the solubilities of a promising solvent candidate, n-hexadecane, and a potential low cost solvent, No. 2 Diesel fuel, were measured in 15 wt % NaCl solutions at temperatures up to 150/sup 0/C. Preliminary results of initial extraction tests at 150/sup 0/C and 1000 psi in sub-pilot scale equipment are also presented.
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48
- OSTI ID:
- 6073363
- Report Number(s):
- UCRL-86515; CONF-811026-2; ON: DE81027713
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 5. geopressured-geothermal energy conference, Baton Rouge, LA, USA, 13 Oct 1981
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
03 NATURAL GAS
GEOPRESSURED SYSTEMS
BY-PRODUCTS
METHANE
RECOVERY
SOLVENT EXTRACTION
BRINES
FLUID INJECTION
SOLUBILITY
ALKANES
ENERGY SYSTEMS
EXTRACTION
HYDROCARBONS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
SEPARATION PROCESSES
Geothermal Legacy
150700* - Geothermal Energy- Products & By-Products
030300 - Natural Gas- Drilling
Production
& Processing