CA1098062A - Process for the recovery of organic gases from ground, bedrock or bottom sediments in lakes - Google Patents
Process for the recovery of organic gases from ground, bedrock or bottom sediments in lakesInfo
- Publication number
- CA1098062A CA1098062A CA312,150A CA312150A CA1098062A CA 1098062 A CA1098062 A CA 1098062A CA 312150 A CA312150 A CA 312150A CA 1098062 A CA1098062 A CA 1098062A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- water
- pipes
- organic
- pumped
- ground
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 31
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 29
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 title claims abstract description 28
- 239000013049 sediment Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 24
- 238000011084 recovery Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 15
- VNWKTOKETHGBQD-UHFFFAOYSA-N methane Chemical compound C VNWKTOKETHGBQD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 80
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 59
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 23
- 244000005700 microbiome Species 0.000 claims abstract description 21
- 230000001737 promoting effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 9
- 241000894006 Bacteria Species 0.000 claims abstract description 8
- 239000011368 organic material Substances 0.000 claims description 10
- QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N atomic oxygen Chemical compound [O] QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 9
- 239000001301 oxygen Substances 0.000 claims description 9
- 229910052760 oxygen Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 9
- 235000015097 nutrients Nutrition 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000011573 trace mineral Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 235000013619 trace mineral Nutrition 0.000 claims description 4
- 150000001875 compounds Chemical class 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000006172 buffering agent Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000001105 regulatory effect Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000001131 transforming effect Effects 0.000 claims 1
- 238000000605 extraction Methods 0.000 abstract description 10
- 238000002347 injection Methods 0.000 abstract description 5
- 239000007924 injection Substances 0.000 abstract description 5
- 238000011065 in-situ storage Methods 0.000 abstract description 3
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 6
- IJGRMHOSHXDMSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N Atomic nitrogen Chemical compound N#N IJGRMHOSHXDMSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- 235000015076 Shorea robusta Nutrition 0.000 description 4
- 244000166071 Shorea robusta Species 0.000 description 4
- 230000002906 microbiologic effect Effects 0.000 description 4
- 239000005416 organic matter Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000011435 rock Substances 0.000 description 3
- VGGSQFUCUMXWEO-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ethene Chemical compound C=C VGGSQFUCUMXWEO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 239000005977 Ethylene Substances 0.000 description 2
- XEEYBQQBJWHFJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N Iron Chemical compound [Fe] XEEYBQQBJWHFJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- PXHVJJICTQNCMI-UHFFFAOYSA-N Nickel Chemical compound [Ni] PXHVJJICTQNCMI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- UIIMBOGNXHQVGW-UHFFFAOYSA-M Sodium bicarbonate Chemical compound [Na+].OC([O-])=O UIIMBOGNXHQVGW-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 description 2
- 239000003673 groundwater Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229910001872 inorganic gas Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229910052757 nitrogen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 230000035699 permeability Effects 0.000 description 2
- 229920006395 saturated elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 241000726103 Atta Species 0.000 description 1
- OYPRJOBELJOOCE-UHFFFAOYSA-N Calcium Chemical compound [Ca] OYPRJOBELJOOCE-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon Chemical compound [C] OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 235000006696 Catha edulis Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 240000007681 Catha edulis Species 0.000 description 1
- RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N Copper Chemical compound [Cu] RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- RWSOTUBLDIXVET-UHFFFAOYSA-N Dihydrogen sulfide Chemical compound S RWSOTUBLDIXVET-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 241000196324 Embryophyta Species 0.000 description 1
- UFHFLCQGNIYNRP-UHFFFAOYSA-N Hydrogen Chemical compound [H][H] UFHFLCQGNIYNRP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- FYYHWMGAXLPEAU-UHFFFAOYSA-N Magnesium Chemical compound [Mg] FYYHWMGAXLPEAU-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 241000202974 Methanobacterium Species 0.000 description 1
- 241000205276 Methanosarcina Species 0.000 description 1
- 241000205275 Methanosarcina barkeri Species 0.000 description 1
- 241000205274 Methanosarcina mazei Species 0.000 description 1
- ZOKXTWBITQBERF-UHFFFAOYSA-N Molybdenum Chemical compound [Mo] ZOKXTWBITQBERF-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- OAICVXFJPJFONN-UHFFFAOYSA-N Phosphorus Chemical compound [P] OAICVXFJPJFONN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- ZLMJMSJWJFRBEC-UHFFFAOYSA-N Potassium Chemical compound [K] ZLMJMSJWJFRBEC-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 241000192023 Sarcina Species 0.000 description 1
- HCHKCACWOHOZIP-UHFFFAOYSA-N Zinc Chemical compound [Zn] HCHKCACWOHOZIP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000002378 acidificating effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007792 addition Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000654 additive Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000011575 calcium Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052791 calcium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- AXCZMVOFGPJBDE-UHFFFAOYSA-L calcium dihydroxide Chemical compound [OH-].[OH-].[Ca+2] AXCZMVOFGPJBDE-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 description 1
- 239000000920 calcium hydroxide Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910001861 calcium hydroxide Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- BRPQOXSCLDDYGP-UHFFFAOYSA-N calcium oxide Chemical compound [O-2].[Ca+2] BRPQOXSCLDDYGP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000000292 calcium oxide Substances 0.000 description 1
- ODINCKMPIJJUCX-UHFFFAOYSA-N calcium oxide Inorganic materials [Ca]=O ODINCKMPIJJUCX-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910052799 carbon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 230000015556 catabolic process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000004087 circulation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000003245 coal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000010941 cobalt Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910017052 cobalt Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- GUTLYIVDDKVIGB-UHFFFAOYSA-N cobalt atom Chemical compound [Co] GUTLYIVDDKVIGB-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000000571 coke Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000002844 continuous effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910052802 copper Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010949 copper Substances 0.000 description 1
- 125000004122 cyclic group Chemical group 0.000 description 1
- 238000007872 degassing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000006731 degradation reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005755 formation reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229930195733 hydrocarbon Natural products 0.000 description 1
- 150000002430 hydrocarbons Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 239000001257 hydrogen Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052739 hydrogen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 150000002500 ions Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 229910052742 iron Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000011777 magnesium Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052749 magnesium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 238000005065 mining Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910052750 molybdenum Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000011733 molybdenum Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052759 nickel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000004058 oil shale Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000003415 peat Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052698 phosphorus Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000011574 phosphorus Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000011591 potassium Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052700 potassium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 238000000197 pyrolysis Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002994 raw material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000003441 saturated fatty acids Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 150000004671 saturated fatty acids Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 229910000030 sodium bicarbonate Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 235000017557 sodium bicarbonate Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 238000003860 storage Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000758 substrate Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000021122 unsaturated fatty acids Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 150000004670 unsaturated fatty acids Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 239000011701 zinc Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052725 zinc Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C09—DYES; PAINTS; POLISHES; NATURAL RESINS; ADHESIVES; COMPOSITIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; APPLICATIONS OF MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- C09K—MATERIALS FOR MISCELLANEOUS APPLICATIONS, NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
- C09K8/00—Compositions for drilling of boreholes or wells; Compositions for treating boreholes or wells, e.g. for completion or for remedial operations
- C09K8/58—Compositions for enhanced recovery methods for obtaining hydrocarbons, i.e. for improving the mobility of the oil, e.g. displacing fluids
- C09K8/582—Compositions for enhanced recovery methods for obtaining hydrocarbons, i.e. for improving the mobility of the oil, e.g. displacing fluids characterised by the use of bacteria
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B43/00—Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells
- E21B43/34—Arrangements for separating materials produced by the well
- E21B43/40—Separation associated with re-injection of separated materials
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C09—DYES; PAINTS; POLISHES; NATURAL RESINS; ADHESIVES; COMPOSITIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; APPLICATIONS OF MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- C09K—MATERIALS FOR MISCELLANEOUS APPLICATIONS, NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
- C09K8/00—Compositions for drilling of boreholes or wells; Compositions for treating boreholes or wells, e.g. for completion or for remedial operations
- C09K8/60—Compositions for stimulating production by acting on the underground formation
- C09K8/84—Compositions based on water or polar solvents
- C09K8/86—Compositions based on water or polar solvents containing organic compounds
- C09K8/88—Compositions based on water or polar solvents containing organic compounds macromolecular compounds
- C09K8/90—Compositions based on water or polar solvents containing organic compounds macromolecular compounds of natural origin, e.g. polysaccharides, cellulose
- C09K8/905—Biopolymers
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
- C12P—FERMENTATION OR ENZYME-USING PROCESSES TO SYNTHESISE A DESIRED CHEMICAL COMPOUND OR COMPOSITION OR TO SEPARATE OPTICAL ISOMERS FROM A RACEMIC MIXTURE
- C12P5/00—Preparation of hydrocarbons or halogenated hydrocarbons
- C12P5/02—Preparation of hydrocarbons or halogenated hydrocarbons acyclic
- C12P5/023—Methane
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B43/00—Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells
- E21B43/006—Production of coal-bed methane
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E50/00—Technologies for the production of fuel of non-fossil origin
- Y02E50/30—Fuel from waste, e.g. synthetic alcohol or diesel
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Geology (AREA)
- Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
- Organic Chemistry (AREA)
- General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
- Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
- Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
- Oil, Petroleum & Natural Gas (AREA)
- General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Materials Engineering (AREA)
- Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
- Zoology (AREA)
- Microbiology (AREA)
- Biotechnology (AREA)
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Biochemistry (AREA)
- Bioinformatics & Cheminformatics (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Genetics & Genomics (AREA)
- Treatment Of Sludge (AREA)
Abstract
ll A b s t r a c t A process for the in situ recovery of organic gases from ground, bedrock or bottom sediments in lakes is de-scribed. Water containing microorganisms (e.g. methane bacte-ria) and/or substances promoting the growth thereof is pumped down through injection wells or pipes, and water containing organic gases produced by said microorganisms is pumped up through extraction wells or pipes. The organic gases are then released by pressure reduction of the water. Preferably the water is pumped in a closed circuit.
Description
~ A PROCESS FOR TI-E REGOVERY OF ORGANIC GASES ~ROM
., GROUND~ BELROCK OR BOTTOM SE~IMENTS IN LAKES
The present invention relates to a process for the recovery of organic gases from ground (earth strata), bed-rock or lake botkam sediments containing organic material.
The energy value o~ ground or bedrock containing organic matter is usually exploited in the following way:
F-lrst tlle whole raw material is collected, eOg. by mining or other mechanical means. The material is then either burnt directly or sub~ected to pyrolysis for the recovery of gaseous and liquid hydrocarbons and coke. However, if the conlsent Or organic matter in the ground or bedrock is not sufficiently high khese methods are uneconomical.
According to the present invention there is provid-ed an eeonomical process for the recovery of valuable gaseous producks in situ from ground or bedrock containing organic matter. The process is highly worthwhile economi-cally even if the content of organic matter i5 relatively low. Another advantage of the process is that it will not affect the natural environment to any ma~or exkent; the only noticeable event afrecting the natural surroundings will consist in khe boring of a- number of wells . In the process according to the invention microbiologioal process-es are utilized for the production of organic gases, main-ly methane; a mlcrobiological process is initiaked or a nakural microbiological activity is stimulated.
.
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The novel process is appllc~ble also to the recovery of organic gases from bottom sediments in lakes. By this it will be possible to restore contaminated or overgrown lakes or meres and at the same time recover a valuable product, preferably methane or ethylene.
Thus, the invention relates to a process ~or the recovery of organic gases from ground, bedrock or lake sediments containing organic material, and the process is characterized in that (a) microorganisms capable of fer-menting at least a part of the organic material to thus form organic gases, and/or substances promoting the growth Or such microorganisms are added to water; khat (b) the water thus treated is pumped down through one or more wells, pipes, drain pipes, radial screen pipes and/or ditches in the ground, bedrock or lake sediment; that (c) water con-taining the organic gases thus produced, said gases being present therein in gaseous form and/or dissolved form, is pumped up through one or more wells~ pipes, drain pipes, radial screen pipes and/or ditches located at a suitable distance from said ~irst-mentioned wells, pipes, drain pipes, radial screen pipes and/or ditches; and that (d) the pressure of the water pumped up is reduced, in a separaking chamber, to a pressure lower than that existing down in said ground~ bedrock or lake sediment so that the greatest part o~ the organic gases is released.
Preferably a cyclic process is used, that is the water is pumped all the way round so as to circulate in a closed circuit or cycle. Microorganisms and/or growth pro-moting substances are added to khe water as it is coming forth ~rom the separating chamber; this water has a low con-tent of dissolved organic gases~ NextJ the water is pumped again down lnto the groundg bedrock or lake sediment.
A pre~erred embQdiment of the inventive process is the recovery of methane, e~gO from oil shale~ and in order to slmplify the subsequent description this preferred embo-diment will be dealt with in the first place.
~3~
~j Wh~n m~thane is to be recovered so called methane bacter1a are added to the water. Examples of such bacteria are Sarcina methanica, Pseudosarcina, Methanobacterium formi-cium, Mo omelianskii, M. propionicum, M. sohngenii, M. sub-oxydans, Methanococcus mazei, M~ vannelii~ Methanosarcina methanica and M. barkerii.
It is usually also necessary to add substances pro-moting the growth and development of the microorganisms and thus promoting the production of methane. These substances may be nutrients, such as compounds containlng nitrogen~
phosphorus or potassium. Furthermore, trace elements are usually rlecessary, such as one or more o~ the elements iron, man~anese, magnesium~ calcium~ nickel, cobalt, copper, zinc and molybdenum, As their carbon source ~or the production of methane the bacteria are to utllize the organic substances present ln the Kround, bedrock or lake sediment. Even ir the baote-ria cannot utilize all of the said organic substances as a substrate the process is nevertheless useful and economi~ally profitable as long as the amount of methane recovered per volume of water circulated is su~rlciently high (of the order of about; 20 mg of methane per litre o~ water and higher).
The optimum pH for the growth of methane bacteria is between 5 and 8. The pH-value should suitably be between 6 and 8 and preferably between 7.2 and 8Ø If the ground water in the ~round or bedrock or the water in khe lake is too acidic or too alkaline the pH value should therefore be ad-~usted t;o a desired value~ This is conveniently done b~ an addltlon of suitable pH regulaking and/or buffering substan ces to l,he water to be pumped downf For instance sodium hyd-rogen carbonate, calcium oxide and/or calcium hydroxide may be used to increase the pH value.
In order to ensure that the microbiological process and concomitantly the degradation of organlc material into methane will proceed at a suf~icient rate (velocity), it is usually necessary to add both additives to the water~ that ~3 1~
is, the microorganisms as well as the substances promoting the growth of microorganisms~ The best efficiency is atta:ln-ed if the water which is pumped up for the release of methane is saturated with methane under the pressure and temperature conditions prevailing. However~ in certain cases it may be sufficient to add only nutrients and/or trace elements, name-ly if the naturally occuring microbiological flora ls sufri-cient. In other cases an addltion of only microorganisms may be sufL'icient.
The particular microorganisms and chemicals to be add-ed to the water have to be chosen specificall~ in each indi-vidual case depending upon the conditions prevailing in the ground, hedrock or bottom sediment wherein methane ls to be produced. The same applies to the choosing of the amounts of microorganisms and chemicals to be added.
In the process accordlng to the invention water con-taining microorganisms and/or chemicals is pumped down through one or more wells, drain pipes~ radial screen pipes and/or ditches in the ground or- bedrock. The water is pumped down to a suîtabLe depth which depends upon the ground water level and UpOII the location and thickness of the layer containing the organic material. The water pumped down ~ill flow towards the extraction weLl or wells, at a velooity depending on various fa(tors, such as for inskance the permeability of the ground or bedrock. Partly as a function of said velocity the distance between the injection wells and the extraction wells is determined~ This distance may amount to between a few metres and over 100 metres J usually between 10 and 100 ~tres.
It ls Orten desirable to use a system of a plurality of wells so that the microbiological process will then take place over a large area, ko thus produce a large total volume of methane. It is for lnstance possible to bore two parallel rows of wells, the wells in one row being injection wells and the wel:Ls in the other row being extra~tion wells. Alterna_ tively, a number of injection wells may be arranged around a central extraction well.
In the recovery Or methane rrom bottom sediments in lakes water containing microorganisms and/or chemicals is pumped do~m into the bottom sediment through one or more pipes. The water is pumped'down to a suitable depth in the bottom sediment containing the organic material. The water flowing through the sediment is then pumped up through one or more extraction pipes. The injection pipes and the ex-traction pipes are arranged in the same manner as stated above for the wells.
In the ground or bedrock the microorganisms will degrade organic material to form methane and the methane thus formed will dissolve in the flowing water. When reach-ing the extraction well ~he water should suitably be satu-rated with methane J the saturation concentration of course depending upon the pressure and temperature prevailing.
Therefore, for a given ground or rock permeability the suit-able distance between the lnJection and extraction wells will depend upon the time it takes for the water to become saturated with methane.
In the recovery of methane ~rom lake sediments the methane concentrakion should not,exceecl the saturation con-centration when the water reaches the extraction pipe. I~
the sakuration concerltration is e~ceeded gaseous methane will be released which resulks in methane losses. The cir-culation velocity and the distance between the in~ection pipes and the extra,ction pipes should therefore be ~hosen or ad~usted in such a way that the methane concentration in the water will not~ise to the saturation point before the water is pumped up for releasing methane.
The methane~containing water is pumped up through the extraction well or pipe and introduced into a separat- -ing cham~er wherein the pressure ls lower than the pressure down in the well or the lake sediment. As a result~ the water in said separating chamber releases that amounk of gas which exceeds its saturation concentration at the conditions existing in the separating chamberO The gas thus released is passed to a storage or consumption site The pressure in the separating chamber is prererably equal to the atmospheric pressure or lower, Suitably the water is in~ected into the separating chamber in such a manner that it will be atomized into drops. This will accelerate the release o~ gas.
Necessary microorganlsms and chemicals (nutrients, trace elements D pH regulating substances) are added to the water coming from the separating chamber~ and then the water again is pumped down into the ground, bedrock or lake sedi-ment through an in~ection well or an in~ection pipeO The addi-tion may be made either directly -in the pipe through which the water is pumped, or in a special mixing container. A con-tinuous closed circuit is created ln this manner and the pro-cess may be containued as long as the ground, bedrock or lake sediment contains organic substances which can be utilized by the bacteria for methane production. The ~low rate Or the water circulating in the closed circuit of a given plant may for instance be between 1 litre/sec. and up to more than 1000 litres/sec.
The product,ion of methane by means Or methane bacteria ls an anaerob-lc process but since the water above the ground level is passed through a closed system, so that no oxygen can dlssolve in the water, no special stripping of dissolved oxygen will be required. I~ desiredJ it is possible to degasi-fy that water which is initlally pumped down into the groundg bedrock or lake sediment to start the closed circuit processO
Such degasification may be carried out in any suitable way.
According to an embodiment of the inventive process aerQbic and anaerobic conditions are applied alternatingly in order to utilize the existing organic material more completely.
During the aerobic operation periods water containing oxygen or oxygen releasing compounds is pumped down; this has the e~ect that those or some o~ those organic substances that are not "utilizable"~ that is, cannot be utilized by the microorganisms employed, are trans~ormed into "utilizable"
organic substances. In this way e.g. saturated fatty acids can be transformed into unsaturated fatty acids which can be utilized by methane bacteria. The water is usually aera-ted in a suitable manner be~ore being pumped down. During the anaerob~c operation periods oxygen-free water containing microorganisms and/or chemicals is pumped down and methane is produced and recovered as described above. Such an alter-nating operation has been found to be a very efficient way of exploiting the organic material maximally for methane produc-tion.
In certain cases, e.g. in the recovery of methane from peat moors, it may even be advisable continuously to pump down water containing oxygen or oxygen releasing com~
pounds as well as microorganisms and/or growth promoting sub-stances. This is the case if the prevailing conditions are such that the oxygen in the water pumped down is consumed relatively quickly so that anaerobic conditions arise before the water reaches the extraction well.
By the recovery of methane from shales in accordance with the present invention it is possible to utilize the energy value of ~hese shales economically. Methane gas has many di~ferent fields Or practical application or use, and the utilization of shales in situ for the production of methane is therefore a very advantageous manner of exploit-ing this source o~ energy.
In additlon to being appllcable to the recovery of methane from shales, the process according to the invention can be used also f`or the recovery of methane or other orga-nic gases (e.g. ethylene) from other rocks or earth ~orma-tions, such as swamp and marsh areas or organic sediments, e.g. coal bearing formations, oil deposits or gas deposits.
The gas recovered in the separating chamber may in addition to the desired organic gas possibly contain also various inorganic gases such as hydrogen sulphide, nitrogen, ammoniaJ hydrogen~ etc.) normally in minor concentration.
The content of organic gas is greater than gO ~ in most cases. If desired, the inorganic gases may be separated from the organic gas i~ this is necessary for the intended use of the organic gas.
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: ~ ~, ~ - : ' .
.. ,
., GROUND~ BELROCK OR BOTTOM SE~IMENTS IN LAKES
The present invention relates to a process for the recovery of organic gases from ground (earth strata), bed-rock or lake botkam sediments containing organic material.
The energy value o~ ground or bedrock containing organic matter is usually exploited in the following way:
F-lrst tlle whole raw material is collected, eOg. by mining or other mechanical means. The material is then either burnt directly or sub~ected to pyrolysis for the recovery of gaseous and liquid hydrocarbons and coke. However, if the conlsent Or organic matter in the ground or bedrock is not sufficiently high khese methods are uneconomical.
According to the present invention there is provid-ed an eeonomical process for the recovery of valuable gaseous producks in situ from ground or bedrock containing organic matter. The process is highly worthwhile economi-cally even if the content of organic matter i5 relatively low. Another advantage of the process is that it will not affect the natural environment to any ma~or exkent; the only noticeable event afrecting the natural surroundings will consist in khe boring of a- number of wells . In the process according to the invention microbiologioal process-es are utilized for the production of organic gases, main-ly methane; a mlcrobiological process is initiaked or a nakural microbiological activity is stimulated.
.
`
` ' 6~
The novel process is appllc~ble also to the recovery of organic gases from bottom sediments in lakes. By this it will be possible to restore contaminated or overgrown lakes or meres and at the same time recover a valuable product, preferably methane or ethylene.
Thus, the invention relates to a process ~or the recovery of organic gases from ground, bedrock or lake sediments containing organic material, and the process is characterized in that (a) microorganisms capable of fer-menting at least a part of the organic material to thus form organic gases, and/or substances promoting the growth Or such microorganisms are added to water; khat (b) the water thus treated is pumped down through one or more wells, pipes, drain pipes, radial screen pipes and/or ditches in the ground, bedrock or lake sediment; that (c) water con-taining the organic gases thus produced, said gases being present therein in gaseous form and/or dissolved form, is pumped up through one or more wells~ pipes, drain pipes, radial screen pipes and/or ditches located at a suitable distance from said ~irst-mentioned wells, pipes, drain pipes, radial screen pipes and/or ditches; and that (d) the pressure of the water pumped up is reduced, in a separaking chamber, to a pressure lower than that existing down in said ground~ bedrock or lake sediment so that the greatest part o~ the organic gases is released.
Preferably a cyclic process is used, that is the water is pumped all the way round so as to circulate in a closed circuit or cycle. Microorganisms and/or growth pro-moting substances are added to khe water as it is coming forth ~rom the separating chamber; this water has a low con-tent of dissolved organic gases~ NextJ the water is pumped again down lnto the groundg bedrock or lake sediment.
A pre~erred embQdiment of the inventive process is the recovery of methane, e~gO from oil shale~ and in order to slmplify the subsequent description this preferred embo-diment will be dealt with in the first place.
~3~
~j Wh~n m~thane is to be recovered so called methane bacter1a are added to the water. Examples of such bacteria are Sarcina methanica, Pseudosarcina, Methanobacterium formi-cium, Mo omelianskii, M. propionicum, M. sohngenii, M. sub-oxydans, Methanococcus mazei, M~ vannelii~ Methanosarcina methanica and M. barkerii.
It is usually also necessary to add substances pro-moting the growth and development of the microorganisms and thus promoting the production of methane. These substances may be nutrients, such as compounds containlng nitrogen~
phosphorus or potassium. Furthermore, trace elements are usually rlecessary, such as one or more o~ the elements iron, man~anese, magnesium~ calcium~ nickel, cobalt, copper, zinc and molybdenum, As their carbon source ~or the production of methane the bacteria are to utllize the organic substances present ln the Kround, bedrock or lake sediment. Even ir the baote-ria cannot utilize all of the said organic substances as a substrate the process is nevertheless useful and economi~ally profitable as long as the amount of methane recovered per volume of water circulated is su~rlciently high (of the order of about; 20 mg of methane per litre o~ water and higher).
The optimum pH for the growth of methane bacteria is between 5 and 8. The pH-value should suitably be between 6 and 8 and preferably between 7.2 and 8Ø If the ground water in the ~round or bedrock or the water in khe lake is too acidic or too alkaline the pH value should therefore be ad-~usted t;o a desired value~ This is conveniently done b~ an addltlon of suitable pH regulaking and/or buffering substan ces to l,he water to be pumped downf For instance sodium hyd-rogen carbonate, calcium oxide and/or calcium hydroxide may be used to increase the pH value.
In order to ensure that the microbiological process and concomitantly the degradation of organlc material into methane will proceed at a suf~icient rate (velocity), it is usually necessary to add both additives to the water~ that ~3 1~
is, the microorganisms as well as the substances promoting the growth of microorganisms~ The best efficiency is atta:ln-ed if the water which is pumped up for the release of methane is saturated with methane under the pressure and temperature conditions prevailing. However~ in certain cases it may be sufficient to add only nutrients and/or trace elements, name-ly if the naturally occuring microbiological flora ls sufri-cient. In other cases an addltion of only microorganisms may be sufL'icient.
The particular microorganisms and chemicals to be add-ed to the water have to be chosen specificall~ in each indi-vidual case depending upon the conditions prevailing in the ground, hedrock or bottom sediment wherein methane ls to be produced. The same applies to the choosing of the amounts of microorganisms and chemicals to be added.
In the process accordlng to the invention water con-taining microorganisms and/or chemicals is pumped down through one or more wells, drain pipes~ radial screen pipes and/or ditches in the ground or- bedrock. The water is pumped down to a suîtabLe depth which depends upon the ground water level and UpOII the location and thickness of the layer containing the organic material. The water pumped down ~ill flow towards the extraction weLl or wells, at a velooity depending on various fa(tors, such as for inskance the permeability of the ground or bedrock. Partly as a function of said velocity the distance between the injection wells and the extraction wells is determined~ This distance may amount to between a few metres and over 100 metres J usually between 10 and 100 ~tres.
It ls Orten desirable to use a system of a plurality of wells so that the microbiological process will then take place over a large area, ko thus produce a large total volume of methane. It is for lnstance possible to bore two parallel rows of wells, the wells in one row being injection wells and the wel:Ls in the other row being extra~tion wells. Alterna_ tively, a number of injection wells may be arranged around a central extraction well.
In the recovery Or methane rrom bottom sediments in lakes water containing microorganisms and/or chemicals is pumped do~m into the bottom sediment through one or more pipes. The water is pumped'down to a suitable depth in the bottom sediment containing the organic material. The water flowing through the sediment is then pumped up through one or more extraction pipes. The injection pipes and the ex-traction pipes are arranged in the same manner as stated above for the wells.
In the ground or bedrock the microorganisms will degrade organic material to form methane and the methane thus formed will dissolve in the flowing water. When reach-ing the extraction well ~he water should suitably be satu-rated with methane J the saturation concentration of course depending upon the pressure and temperature prevailing.
Therefore, for a given ground or rock permeability the suit-able distance between the lnJection and extraction wells will depend upon the time it takes for the water to become saturated with methane.
In the recovery of methane ~rom lake sediments the methane concentrakion should not,exceecl the saturation con-centration when the water reaches the extraction pipe. I~
the sakuration concerltration is e~ceeded gaseous methane will be released which resulks in methane losses. The cir-culation velocity and the distance between the in~ection pipes and the extra,ction pipes should therefore be ~hosen or ad~usted in such a way that the methane concentration in the water will not~ise to the saturation point before the water is pumped up for releasing methane.
The methane~containing water is pumped up through the extraction well or pipe and introduced into a separat- -ing cham~er wherein the pressure ls lower than the pressure down in the well or the lake sediment. As a result~ the water in said separating chamber releases that amounk of gas which exceeds its saturation concentration at the conditions existing in the separating chamberO The gas thus released is passed to a storage or consumption site The pressure in the separating chamber is prererably equal to the atmospheric pressure or lower, Suitably the water is in~ected into the separating chamber in such a manner that it will be atomized into drops. This will accelerate the release o~ gas.
Necessary microorganlsms and chemicals (nutrients, trace elements D pH regulating substances) are added to the water coming from the separating chamber~ and then the water again is pumped down into the ground, bedrock or lake sedi-ment through an in~ection well or an in~ection pipeO The addi-tion may be made either directly -in the pipe through which the water is pumped, or in a special mixing container. A con-tinuous closed circuit is created ln this manner and the pro-cess may be containued as long as the ground, bedrock or lake sediment contains organic substances which can be utilized by the bacteria for methane production. The ~low rate Or the water circulating in the closed circuit of a given plant may for instance be between 1 litre/sec. and up to more than 1000 litres/sec.
The product,ion of methane by means Or methane bacteria ls an anaerob-lc process but since the water above the ground level is passed through a closed system, so that no oxygen can dlssolve in the water, no special stripping of dissolved oxygen will be required. I~ desiredJ it is possible to degasi-fy that water which is initlally pumped down into the groundg bedrock or lake sediment to start the closed circuit processO
Such degasification may be carried out in any suitable way.
According to an embodiment of the inventive process aerQbic and anaerobic conditions are applied alternatingly in order to utilize the existing organic material more completely.
During the aerobic operation periods water containing oxygen or oxygen releasing compounds is pumped down; this has the e~ect that those or some o~ those organic substances that are not "utilizable"~ that is, cannot be utilized by the microorganisms employed, are trans~ormed into "utilizable"
organic substances. In this way e.g. saturated fatty acids can be transformed into unsaturated fatty acids which can be utilized by methane bacteria. The water is usually aera-ted in a suitable manner be~ore being pumped down. During the anaerob~c operation periods oxygen-free water containing microorganisms and/or chemicals is pumped down and methane is produced and recovered as described above. Such an alter-nating operation has been found to be a very efficient way of exploiting the organic material maximally for methane produc-tion.
In certain cases, e.g. in the recovery of methane from peat moors, it may even be advisable continuously to pump down water containing oxygen or oxygen releasing com~
pounds as well as microorganisms and/or growth promoting sub-stances. This is the case if the prevailing conditions are such that the oxygen in the water pumped down is consumed relatively quickly so that anaerobic conditions arise before the water reaches the extraction well.
By the recovery of methane from shales in accordance with the present invention it is possible to utilize the energy value of ~hese shales economically. Methane gas has many di~ferent fields Or practical application or use, and the utilization of shales in situ for the production of methane is therefore a very advantageous manner of exploit-ing this source o~ energy.
In additlon to being appllcable to the recovery of methane from shales, the process according to the invention can be used also f`or the recovery of methane or other orga-nic gases (e.g. ethylene) from other rocks or earth ~orma-tions, such as swamp and marsh areas or organic sediments, e.g. coal bearing formations, oil deposits or gas deposits.
The gas recovered in the separating chamber may in addition to the desired organic gas possibly contain also various inorganic gases such as hydrogen sulphide, nitrogen, ammoniaJ hydrogen~ etc.) normally in minor concentration.
The content of organic gas is greater than gO ~ in most cases. If desired, the inorganic gases may be separated from the organic gas i~ this is necessary for the intended use of the organic gas.
.
-' - ' ,~
: ~ ~, ~ - : ' .
.. ,
Claims (6)
1. A process for the recovery of organic gases from ground, bedrock or lake sediments containing organic mate-rial, characterized in that (a) micrcorganisms capable of fermenting at least a part of the organic material to thus form organic gases, and/or substances promoting the growth of such microorganisms are added to water; that (b) the water thus treated is pumped down through one or more wells, pipes, drain pipes, radial screen pipes and/or ditches in the ground, bedrock or lake sediment; that (c) water containing the organic gases thus produced, said gases being present therein in gaseous form and/or dissolved form, is pumped up through one or more wells, pipes, drain pipes, radial screen pipes and/or ditches located at a suitable distance from said first-mentioned wells, pipes, drain pipes, radial screen pipes and/or ditches; and that (d) the pressure of the water pumped up is reduced, in a separating chamber, to a pressure lower than that existing down in said ground, bedrock or lake sediment so that the greatest part of the organic gases is released.
2. A process according to claim 1, characterized in that the water is pumped in a substantially closed circuit, microorganisms and/or growth promoting substances being added to the water coming from the separating chamber and having a low content of dissolved organic gases, and said water then over again being pumped down into the ground, bedrock or lake sediment.
3. A process according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that methane bacteria are added to the water.
4. A process according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that necessary nutrients and/or trace elements are added to the water.
5. A process according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that pH regulating and/or buffering substances are added to the water.
6. A process according to claim 1, characterized in that water containing oxygen or oxygen releasing compounds is pumped down intermittently or continuously for transform-ing organic substances difficult to utilize by the microorga-nisms into organic substances which can be utilized more readi ly by the microorganisms.
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| SE7711500A SE7711500L (en) | 1977-10-12 | 1977-10-12 | PROCEDURE FOR EXTRACTION OF ORGANIC GASES FROM SOILS OR MOUNTAINS |
| SE7711500-4 | 1977-10-12 | ||
| SE7714619A SE7714619L (en) | 1977-12-21 | 1977-12-21 | PROCEDURE FOR EXTRACTION OF ORGANIC GASES FROM BOTTOM SEDIMENT IN SEA |
| SE7714619-9 | 1977-12-21 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1098062A true CA1098062A (en) | 1981-03-24 |
Family
ID=26656876
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA312,150A Expired CA1098062A (en) | 1977-10-12 | 1978-09-26 | Process for the recovery of organic gases from ground, bedrock or bottom sediments in lakes |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1098062A (en) |
| DD (1) | DD139737A5 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1979000201A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (12)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4416332A (en) * | 1978-10-26 | 1983-11-22 | Chemical Dynamics Sweden Ab | Method for increasing the pressure in oil-bearing geological structures |
| US6543535B2 (en) | 2000-03-15 | 2003-04-08 | Exxonmobil Upstream Research Company | Process for stimulating microbial activity in a hydrocarbon-bearing, subterranean formation |
| US8092559B2 (en) | 2004-05-12 | 2012-01-10 | Luca Technologies, Inc. | Generation of hydrogen from hydrocarbon bearing materials |
| GB0412060D0 (en) * | 2004-05-28 | 2004-06-30 | Univ Newcastle | Process for stimulating production of methane from petroleum in subterranean formations |
| US7906304B2 (en) | 2005-04-05 | 2011-03-15 | Geosynfuels, Llc | Method and bioreactor for producing synfuel from carbonaceous material |
| US7426960B2 (en) | 2005-05-03 | 2008-09-23 | Luca Technologies, Inc. | Biogenic fuel gas generation in geologic hydrocarbon deposits |
| WO2007022122A2 (en) | 2005-08-12 | 2007-02-22 | University Of Wyoming Research Corporation D/B/A Western Research Institute | Biogenic methane production enhancement systems |
| US7696132B2 (en) | 2006-04-05 | 2010-04-13 | Luca Technologies, Inc. | Chemical amendments for the stimulation of biogenic gas generation in deposits of carbonaceous material |
| CN104342459A (en) | 2008-07-02 | 2015-02-11 | 西里斯能源公司 | Method For Optimizing In-Situ Bioconversion of Carbon-Bearing Formations |
| NZ600580A (en) | 2009-12-18 | 2014-01-31 | Ciris Energy Inc | Biogasification of coal to methane and other useful products |
| FR2955335B1 (en) * | 2010-01-19 | 2014-10-03 | Ecole Norm Superieure Lyon | PROCESS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF METHANE GAS |
| US9004162B2 (en) | 2012-03-23 | 2015-04-14 | Transworld Technologies Inc. | Methods of stimulating acetoclastic methanogenesis in subterranean deposits of carbonaceous material |
Family Cites Families (9)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US2413278A (en) * | 1944-03-17 | 1946-12-24 | American Petroleum Inst | Bacteriological process for treatment of fluid-bearing earth formations |
| US2660550A (en) * | 1949-08-27 | 1953-11-24 | Socony Vacuum Oil Co Inc | Secondary recovery of petroleum oil by desulfovibrio |
| DE1110586B (en) * | 1957-08-07 | 1961-07-13 | Socony Mobil Oil Co Inc | Process for the extraction of petroleum |
| US3185216A (en) * | 1962-12-26 | 1965-05-25 | Phillips Petroleum Co | Use of bacteria in the recovery of petroleum from underground deposits |
| US3332487A (en) * | 1963-09-30 | 1967-07-25 | Pan American Petroleum Corp | Aerobic bacteria in oil recovery |
| US3724542A (en) * | 1971-03-01 | 1973-04-03 | Dow Chemical Co | Method of disposal of waste activated sludge |
| US3826308A (en) * | 1972-09-25 | 1974-07-30 | Imperatrix | Process for producing product from fossil fuel |
| US4085972A (en) * | 1977-05-25 | 1978-04-25 | Institute Of Gas Technology | Situ mining of fossil fuel containing inorganic matrices |
| NL7806650A (en) * | 1977-06-27 | 1978-12-29 | Calgon Corp | PROCEDURE FOR RECOVERING METHANE FROM EARTH-COVED SANITARY WASTE. |
-
1978
- 1978-09-26 CA CA312,150A patent/CA1098062A/en not_active Expired
- 1978-10-10 WO PCT/SE1978/000058 patent/WO1979000201A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1978-10-11 DD DD78208398A patent/DD139737A5/en unknown
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| DD139737A5 (en) | 1980-01-16 |
| WO1979000201A1 (en) | 1979-04-19 |
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