Method for reducing the emission of green house gases into the atmosphere

#In recent years, it has become evident that general climatic warming is occurring due to the “greenhouse effect” caused by the increasing presence of certain greenhouse gases (GHGs) generated from human activities. Among the gaseous components in the atmosphere that contribute to the greenhouse effect are carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and ozone. By contrast, oxygen, nitrogen and sulfur dioxide do not appear to contribute to the greenhouse effect.

#In order to mitigate the effects of increasing greenhouse gases generated from human activities, a variety of proposals have been made to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

#There is still a need for a new method for reducing the emission of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

#FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an embodiment of the present invention.

#According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method for reducing the emission of greenhouse gases, such as for example carbon dioxide, into the atmosphere above a ground surface. The method comprises injecting a gas stream comprising one or more than one greenhouse gas into a subsurface injection formation. The gas stream further comprises at least one non-greenhouse gas. The subsurface injection formation comprises a water-laden layer comprising formation water, and some or all of the greenhouse gases present in the gas stream become dissolved in the formation water in the subsurface injection formation sequestering the one or more than one greenhouse gas in the subsurface injection formation. The non-greenhouse gas separates in situ within the formation. After separating from the greenhouse gas, the non-greenhouse gas accumulates in a subsurface location from where it may be vented to the surface by any convenient means. The method thereby reduces the emission of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. In a preferred embodiment, the method comprises injecting the gas stream near the source of production.

#Preferably, the gas stream consists of a raw gas stream from an industrial source such as a fossil fuel-burning thermal power plant. The raw gas stream contains CO2 and may also contain other greenhouse gases, as well as nitrogen and other non-greenhouse gasses. Typical flue gas effluent from a thermal power plant such as coal-fired plant contains approximately 10-15% CO2. This flue gas stream may be introduced directly into the subsurface formation in accordance with the present method, as described in more detail herein.

#Stationary sources of greenhouse gasses such as fossil fuel-burning thermal power plants, industrial plants, and resource processing facilities (as well as other such sources) present an environmental challenge due to the volumes of greenhouse gasses produced. However, they also present an opportunity to mitigate their harm, in that their stationary nature and in some cases, the ability to site the plant at a variety of locations, permits a variety of approaches to reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.