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US 9,309,749 B2Granted
System and method for producing coal bed methane
AssigneeExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
InventorRobert D. Kaminsky
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AssigneeExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
InventorRobert D. Kaminsky
Estimating the term…
Exemplary embodiments of the present technology provide systems and methods for producing power from coalbed methane (CBM) with decreased CO2 emissions. For example, a method of producing power according to an exemplary embodiment includes converting a feedstock from a hydrocarbon source into a gas mixture comprising CO2 and H2. The gas mixture is injected into a coalbed to cause CBM to desorb from the coal and CO2 to adsorb onto the coal. The hydrocarbon source is separate from the coalbed, i.e., does not exchange hydrocarbons with the hydrocarbon source. A gas mixture is produced from the coalbed, wherein the produced gas mixture includes H2 and CH4. The gas mixture may be combusted to generate power, while releasing lower amounts of CO2 than would be released from the combustion of pure CH4.
A system for generating a gas suitable for producing power from a coalbed, comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.
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From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.
Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells: production of coal-bed methane
Combustion technologies with mitigation potential: combined heat and power generation [CHP]
Earth or rock drilling
Clean energy generation and storage
About 6 years 3 months of term left · ends 6 Feb 2033 (estimated)
Exemplary embodiments of the present technology relate to a system and method to produce coal bed methane (CBM) and sequester CO2.
This section is intended to introduce various aspects of the art, which may be associated with exemplary embodiments of the present technology. This discussion is believed to assist in providing a framework to facilitate a better understanding of particular aspects of the present technology. Accordingly, it should be understood that this section should be read in this light, and not necessarily as admissions of prior art.
Coat deposits may hold significant amounts of hydrocarbon gases, such as methane, ethane, and propane, generally adsorbed onto the surface of the coal. A significant amount of natural gas reserves exist as adsorbed species within coalbeds. The natural gas from coalbeds, commonly referred to as “coalbed methane” (CBM), currently constitutes a major source of the natural gas production in the United States. The CBM is generally produced by depressurization of coal seams.
The advantages of the present technology are better understood by referring to the following detailed description and the attached drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a system for producing CBM, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present technology;
FIG. 2 is a process flow overview of a system for producing CBM, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present, technology;
In the following detailed description section, the specific embodiments of the present technology are described in connection with preferred embodiments. However, to the extent that the following description is specific to a particular embodiment or a particular use of the present technology, this is intended to be for exemplary purposes only and simply provides a description of the exemplary embodiments. Accordingly, the technology is not limited to the specific embodiments described below, but rather, include all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents falling within the true spirit and scope of the appended claims.
At the outset, for ease of reference, certain terms used in this application and their meanings as used in this context are set forth. To the extent a term used herein is not defined below, it should be given the broadest definition persons in the pertinent art have given that term as reflected in at least one printed publication or issued patent. Further, the present technology is not limited by the usage of the terms shown below, as all equivalents, synonyms, new developments, and terms or techniques that serve the same or a similar purpose are considered to be within the scope of the present claims.
An “adsorbent material” is any material or combination of materials capable of adsorbing gaseous components. For example, an adsorbent material discussed herein is a natural coal bed, as discussed further below.