IP Library Granted Patent US 8,323,481
Granted Patent B2
US 8,323,481 · App. 12/701,156 · Granted Dec 4, 2012

Carbon management and sequestration from encapsulated control infrastructures

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,323,481
App. No.
12/701,156
Granted
Dec 4, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method of sequestering carbon dioxide emissions during recovery of hydrocarbons from hydrocarbonaceous materials can include forming a constructed permeability control infrastructure. This constructed infrastructure defines a substantially encapsulated volume. A comminuted hydrocarbonaceous material can be introduced into the control infrastructure to form a permeable body of hydrocarbonaceous material. The permeable body can be heated sufficient to remove hydrocarbons therefrom. During heating, the hydrocarbonaceous material is substantially stationary as the constructed infrastructure is a fixed structure. Additionally, during heating, any carbon dioxide that is produced can be sequestered. Removed hydrocarbons can be collected for further processing, use in the process, and/or use as recovered.

Claims (16)

1. A method of sequestering carbon dioxide emissions during recovery of hydrocarbons from hydrocarbonaceous materials comprising:

a) forming a constructed permeability control infrastructure which defines a substantially encapsulated volume, said infrastructure comprising clay, bentonite clay, bentonite amended soil, compacted fill, refractory cement, cement, synthetic geogrids, fiberglass, rebar, nanocarbon fullerene additives, filled geotextile bags, polymeric resins, oil resistant PVC liners, engineered cementitious composites (ECC), fiber reinforced composites, geosynthetic fabrics, sealant, grout, compacted earth, low grade shale, or combinations thereof, wherein the control infrastructure is formed in direct contact with walls of an excavated hydrocarbonaceous material deposit or is freestanding having either a foundation support of earthen material or a local surface topography as a floor;

b) introducing a comminuted hydrocarbonaceous material into the control infrastructure to form a permeable body of hydrocarbonaceous material;

c) heating the permeable body sufficient to remove hydrocarbons therefrom such that the hydrocarbonaceous material is substantially stationary during heating;

d) sequestering carbon dioxide produced during the heating; and e) collecting the removed hydrocarbons.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein sequestering carbon dioxide is achieved by reacting carbon dioxide with an aqueous solution to form a precipitation of carbon dioxide with a metal.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the metal is selected from the group consisting of calcium, magnesium, oxides thereof, silicates thereof, and mixtures thereof.

4. The method of claim 2 , wherein the aqueous solution is salt water.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein sequestering carbon dioxide is achieved by injecting exhausted hydro carbonaceous materials with the carbon dioxide and salt water.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein sequestering carbon dioxide is achieved by cryogenic precipitation forming liquid carbon dioxide.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the liquid carbon dioxide is mixed with exhausted hydrocarbonaceous materials.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein sequestering carbon dioxide is achieved by injecting exhausted hydrocarbonaceous materials with the carbon dioxide.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the injecting is performed with a catalyst.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of heating includes injecting heated gases into the control infrastructure such that the permeable body is primarily heated via convection as the heated gases pass throughout the permeable body.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the permeable body further comprises a plurality of conduits embedded within the permeable body, at least some of said conduits being configured as heating pipes.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the infrastructure comprises clay, bentonite clay, bentonite amended soil, compacted fill, compacted earth, low grade shale, or combinations thereof.

Assignments (4)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 10, 2010
From: CARDINAL ENERGY HOLDINGS, LLC.
To: RED LEAF RESOURCES, INC., D/B/A ECOSHALE, ECHOSHALE ENERGY, NATIONS MINING, LLC AND CAPSULE TECHNOLOGY, LLC
Reel/Frame 024357/0626 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 12, 2010
From: DANA, TODD; PATTEN, JAMES W.
To: RED LEAF RESOURCES, INC.
Reel/Frame 024215/0959 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Mar 17, 2010
From: RED LEAF RESOURCES, INC., DBA ECOSHALE AND ECOSHALE ENERGY; RED LEAF HOLDINGS, LLC; NATIONS MINING, LLC; CAPSULE TECHNOLOGY, LLC
To: CARDINAL ENERGY HOLDINGS, LLC
Reel/Frame 024097/0397 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 11, 2010
From: DANA, TODD; PATTEN, JAMES W.
To: RED LEAF RESOURCES, INC.
Reel/Frame 024064/0164 →