Method and apparatus for recovering and transporting methane gas

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of the recovery of methane gas from a coal mine and conventional Natural Gas. More particularly, it involves an apparatus and method for economically recovering methane gas from a coal mine and transporting the methane gas to an end user or other location. The invention further provides an apparatus and method for economically recovering Natural Gas that is stranded due to high impurities that requires processing and/or Natural Gas that is not located near a pipeline. According to a first preferred embodiment of the invention, such methods for recovering and transporting gas comprise (a) transferring gas from a producing well to a first subterranean capacitor and storing the gas in said capacitor and (b) transferring gas from the first subterranean capacitor to a second subterranean capacitor, a pipeline, an end user, a gas processor, or a power plant.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a simplified schematic diagram of a prior art method and apparatus for recovering and transporting methane gas;

FIG. 2 is a simplified schematic diagram of a method and apparatus of the invention for recovering and transporting methane gas; and

FIG. 3 is a simplified side view of an oil well adapted for use as a capacitor according to the invention.

Claims

1. A method for recovering and transporting gas, which comprises the steps of: (a) transferring gas from a producing well to a first subterranean capacitor and storing the gas in said capacitor; and(b) transferring gas from the first subterranean capacitor to a second subterranean capacitor, a pipeline, an end user, a gas processor, or a power plant.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first subterranean capacitor and second subterranean capacitor are constructed from a formation selected from the group consisting of an oil well, coal mine, underground rock formation, and a subterranean cylinder.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the gas is selected from the group consisting of methane gas, natural gas, combinations thereof, and constituents thereof.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the first subterranean capacitor is a subterranean cylinder.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the subterranean cylinder is installed for the purpose of storing gas therein.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the subterranean cylinder has a diameter ranging between 4 and 10 inches.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the subterranean cylinder is at least 300 feet in length.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein the subterranean cylinder is at least 3000 feet in length.

9. The method of claim 5, wherein the subterranean cylinder is capable of holding at least 300 mcf of methane gas at a pressurization of at least 3000 psi.

10. The method of claim 5, wherein gas is transferred from the producing well to the first subterranean capacitor via (i) a tanker, (ii) a pipeline, or (iii) any combination thereof.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein gas is transferred from the first subterranean capacitor via a tanker to (i) a second subterranean capacitor, (ii) a pipeline, or (iii) a power plant.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the power plant is a co-firing power plant.

13. A method for recovering and transporting gas, which comprises the steps of: (a) transferring methane gas, natural gas, or a combination thereof from a producing well to a first subterranean capacitor and storing the gas in said capacitor; and(b) transferring gas from the first subterranean capacitor via a tanker to a second subterranean capacitor, a pipeline, an end user, a gas processor, or a power plant, wherein the first subterranean capacitor is a subterranean cylinder that is capable of holding at least 300 mcf of methane gas at a pressurization of at least 3000 psi.

14. A system for recovering and transporting gas, which comprises: (a) a first subterranean capacitor that is capable of receiving, storing and discharging gas, wherein the first subterranean capacitor is constructed from an oil well, coal mine, underground rock formation, or a subterranean cylinder;(b) a means for transferring gas from a producing well to the first subterranean capacitor, wherein said means is selected from the group consisting of a tanker and pipeline; and(c) a tanker for transferring gas from the first subterranean capacitor to a second subterranean capacitor, a pipeline, an end user, a gas processor, or a power plant.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the first subterranean capacitor is a subterranean cylinder.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the subterranean cylinder is installed for the purpose of storing gas therein.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the subterranean cylinder has a diameter ranging between 4 and 10 inches.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the subterranean cylinder is at least 300 feet in length.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein the subterranean cylinder is at least 3000 feet in length.

20. The system of claim 17, wherein the subterranean cylinder is capable of holding at least 300 mcf of methane gas at a pressurization of at least 3000 psi.

21. The system of claim 14, wherein the first subterranean capacitor is connected to a second subterranean capacitor via a high-pressure pipe.