High-pressure solvent extraction of methane from geopressured brines: technical evaluation and cost analysis
Solvent extraction is proposed as a means of recovering dissolved methane from geopressured-geothermal brines at high pressures. The 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. For deep injection into the producing formation, it is concluded that methane extraction processes are not applicable, insofar as maintenance of high surface pressures provides no clear-cut energy benefits. As a first step in the evaluation of solvent extraction, the solubility of a promising solvent candidate, n-hexadecane, was measured in 15 wt % NaCl solutions at temperatures up to 150/sup 0/C. The solubility of a potential low cost solvent, No. 2 Diesel fuel, was also measured.
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48
- OSTI ID:
- 6149077
- Report Number(s):
- UCID-19090; ON: DE81027837
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Potential methods for methane extraction from geopressured brine at high temperature and pressure
Methane extraction from geopressured-geothermal brine at wellhead conditions
Related Subjects
03 NATURAL GAS
DIESEL FUELS
SOLUBILITY
HEXADECANE
METHANE
SOLVENT EXTRACTION
AQUIFERS
BRINES
COST
DESIGN
GEOPRESSURED SYSTEMS
GEOTHERMAL FLUIDS
INJECTION WELLS
REINJECTION
SALINITY
SODIUM CHLORIDES
ALKALI METAL COMPOUNDS
ALKANES
CHLORIDES
CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
ENERGY SYSTEMS
EXTRACTION
FLUIDS
HALIDES
HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDROCARBONS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SODIUM COMPOUNDS
WELLS
Geothermal Legacy
150700* - Geothermal Energy- Products & By-Products
150600 - Geothermal Energy- Environmental Aspects
030300 - Natural Gas- Drilling
Production
& Processing