System and process for flue gas processing

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a new and improved method for sequestration of carbon dioxide, the method including the steps of injecting a carbon dioxide-containing injection gas into a subsurface containment region with a series of captures zones; providing sufficient time for said injection gas to at least partially stratify and form constituent gas mixtures which at least partially accumulate in the capture zones; providing a vent associated with one of the capture zones; and, evacuating at least a portion of the constituent mixtures through the associated vent.

1 . A method for sequestration of carbon dioxide, said method including the steps of:
 injecting a carbon dioxide-containing injection gas into a subsurface containment region having a series of captures zones;   providing sufficient time for said injection gas to at least partially stratify forming constituent gas mixtures and for said constituent mixtures to at least partially accumulate in said capture zones;   providing a vent associated with one of said capture zones; and,   evacuating at least a portion of one of said constituent mixtures through said vent.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said injection gas is a flue gas. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising a compression source for injecting said injection gas. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of pressurizing said containment region. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said evacuated constituent mixture includes carbon dioxide, said method further including the step of reinjecting said evacuated constituent mixture into said containment region. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of enclosing said containment region with a sealing surrounding surface. 
     
     
         7 . A method for enhanced recovery of hydrocarbons and sequestration of carbon dioxide, said method comprising the steps of:
 injecting a carbon dioxide-containing injection gas into a subsurface containment region, said containment region further comprising a series of captures zones and being associated with a hydrocarbon-bearing oil zone, whereby at least a portion of said injection gas contacts said oil zone;   providing sufficient time for said injection gas to at least partially stratify forming constituent gas mixtures and for said constituent mixtures to at least partially accumulate in said capture zones;   providing a vent associated with one of said capture zones;   evacuating at least a portion of one of said constituent mixtures through said vent; and,   producing said hydrocarbons from said containment region.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said injection gas is injected into said containment region under conditions of miscibility with at least a portion of said hydrocarbons. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising the step of capturing carbon dioxide from said produced hydrocarbons. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising the step of reinjecting said captured carbon dioxide into said containment region. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said injection gas is a flue gas. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said injection gas is injected using a compression source. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising the step of pressurizing said containment region. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said evacuated constituent mixture further comprises a proportion of carbon dioxide, and said method includes the step of reinjecting said constituent mixture into said containment region. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising the step of providing a sealing surrounding surface enclosing said containment region.