Dynamics of CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> fluxes and concentrations during a shallow subsurface CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> release

A field facility located in Bozeman, Montana provides the opportunity to test methods to detect, locate, and quantify potential CO₂ leakage from geologic storage sites. From 9 July to 7 August 2008, 0.3 t CO₂ day⁻¹ were injected from a 100-m long, ~2.5-m deep horizontal well. Repeated measurements of soil CO₂ fluxes on a grid characterized the spatio-temporal evolution of the surface leakage signal and quantified the surface leakage rate. Infrared CO₂ concentration sensors installed in the soil at 30 cm depth at 0–10 m from the well and at 4 cm above the ground at 0 and 5 m from the well recorded surface breakthrough of CO₂ leakage and migration of CO₂ leakage through the soil. Temporal variations in CO₂ concentrations were correlated with atmospheric and soil temperature, wind speed, atmospheric pressure, rainfall, and CO₂ injection rate.     

Feasibility of CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> migration detection using pressure and CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> saturation monitoring above an imperfect primary seal of a geologic CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> storage formation: a numerical investigation

A numerical model was developed to investigate the potential to detect fluid migration in a (homogeneous, isotropic, with constant pressure lateral boundaries) porous and permeable interval overlying an imperfect primary seal of a geologic CO₂ storage formation. The seal imperfection was modeled as a single higher-permeability zone in an otherwise low-permeability seal, with the center of that zone offset from the CO₂ injection well by 1400 m. Pressure response resulting from fluid migration through the high-permeability zone was detectable up to 1650 m from the centroid of that zone at the base of the monitored interval after 30 years of CO₂ injection (detection limit = 0.1 MPa pressure increase); no pressure response was detectable at the top of the monitored interval at the same point in time. CO₂ saturation response could be up to 774 m from the center of the high-permeability zone at the bottom of the monitored interval, and 1103 m at the top (saturation detection limit = 0.01). More than 6% of the injected CO₂, by mass, migrated out of primary containment after 130 years of site performance (including 30 years of active injection) in the case where the zone of seal imperfection had a moderately high permeability (10^??17 m² or 0.01 mD). Free-phase CO₂ saturation monitoring at the top of the overlying interval provides favorable spatial coverage for detecting fluid migration across the primary seal. Improved sensitivity of detection for pressure perturbation will benefit time of detection above an imperfect seal.     

Analytical model for screening potential CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> repositories

Assessing potential repositories for geologic sequestration of carbon dioxide using numerical models can be complicated, costly, and time-consuming, especially when faced with the challenge of selecting a repository from a multitude of potential repositories. This paper presents a set of simple analytical equations (model), based on the work of previous researchers, that could be used to evaluate the suitability of candidate repositories for subsurface sequestration of carbon dioxide. We considered the injection of carbon dioxide at a constant rate into a confined saline aquifer via a fully perforated vertical injection well. The validity of the analytical model was assessed via comparison with the TOUGH2 numerical model. The metrics used in comparing the two models include (1) spatial variations in formation pressure and (2) vertically integrated brine saturation profile. The analytical model and TOUGH2 show excellent agreement in their results when similar input conditions and assumptions are applied in both. The analytical model neglects capillary pressure and the pressure dependence of fluid properties. However, simulations in TOUGH2 indicate that little error is introduced by these simplifications. Sensitivity studies indicate that the agreement between the analytical model and TOUGH2 depends strongly on (1) the residual brine saturation, (2) the difference in density between carbon dioxide and resident brine (buoyancy), and (3) the relationship between relative permeability and brine saturation. The results achieved suggest that the analytical model is valid when the relationship between relative permeability and brine saturation is linear or quasi-linear and when the irreducible saturation of brine is zero or very small.     

CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> fluid inclusions in Jack Hills zircons

The discovery of Hadean to Paleoarchean zircons in a metaconglomerate from Jack Hills, Western Australia, has catalyzed intensive study of these zircons and their mineral inclusions, as they represent unique geochemical archives that can be used to unravel the geological evolution of early Earth. Here, we report the occurrence and physical properties of previously undetected CO₂ inclusions that were identified in 3.36–3.47 Ga and 3.80–4.13 Ga zircon grains by confocal micro-Raman spectroscopy. Minimum P–T conditions of zircon formation were determined from the highest density of the inclusions, determined from the density-dependence of the Fermi diad splitting in the Raman spectrum and Ti-in-zircon thermometry. For both age periods, the CO₂ densities and Ti-in-zircon temperatures correspond to high-grade metamorphic conditions (≥5 to ≥7 kbar/~670 to 770 °C) that are typical of mid-crustal regional metamorphism throughout Earth’s history. In addition, fully enclosed, highly disordered graphitic carbon inclusions were identified in two zircon grains from the older population that also contained CO₂ inclusions. Transmission electron microscopy on one of these inclusions revealed that carbon forms a thin amorphous film on the inclusion wall, whereas the rest of the volume was probably occupied by CO₂ prior to analysis. This indicates a close relationship between CO₂ and the reduced carbon inclusions and, in particular that the carbon precipitated from a CO₂-rich fluid, which is inconsistent with the recently proposed biogenic origin of carbon inclusions found in Hadean zircons from Jack Hills.     

The Role of CaCO<Subscript>3</Subscript> Reactions in the Contemporary Oceanic CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> Cycle

The present analysis adjusts previous estimates of global ocean CaCO₃ production rates substantially upward, to 133 × 10¹² mol yr^?1 plankton production and 42 × 10¹² mol yr^?1 shelf benthos production. The plankton adjustment is consistent with recent satellite-based estimates; the benthos adjustment includes primarily an upward adjustment of CaCO₃ production on so-called carbonate-poor sedimentary shelves and secondarily pays greater attention to high CaCO₃ mass (calcimass) and turnover of shelf communities on temperate and polar shelves. Estimated CaCO₃ sediment accumulation rates remain about the same as they have been for some years: ~20 × 10¹² mol yr^?1 on shelves and 11 × 10¹² mol yr^?1 in the deep ocean. The differences between production and accumulation of calcareous materials call for dissolution of ~22 × 10¹² mol yr^?1 (~50 %) of shelf benthonic carbonate production and 122 × 10¹² mol yr^?1 (>90 %) of planktonic production. Most CaCO₃ production, whether planktonic or benthonic, is assumed to take place in water depths of <100 m, while most dissolution is assumed to occur below this depth. The molar ratio of CO₂ release to CaCO₃ precipitation (CO₂↑/CaCO₃↓) is <1.0 and varies with depth. This ratio, Ψ, is presently about 0.66 in surface seawater and 0.85 in ocean waters deeper than about 1000 m. The net flux of CO₂ associated with CaCO₃ reactions in the global ocean in late preindustrial time is estimated to be an apparent influx from the atmosphere to the ocean, of +7 × 10¹² mol C yr^?1, at a time scale of 10²–10³ years. The CaCO₃-mediated influx of CO₂ is approximately offset by CO₂ release from organic C oxidation in the water column. Continuing ocean acidification will have effects on CaCO₃ and organic C metabolic responses to the oceanic inorganic C cycle, although those responses remain poorly quantified.     

Using hyperspectral plant signatures for CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> leak detection during the 2008 ZERT CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> sequestration field experiment in Bozeman,Montana

Hyperspectral plant signatures can be used as a short-term, as well as long-term (100-year timescale) monitoring technique to verify that CO₂ sequestration fields have not been compromised. An influx of CO₂ gas into the soil can stress vegetation, which causes changes in the visible to near-infrared reflectance spectral signature of the vegetation. For 29 days, beginning on July 9, 2008, pure carbon dioxide gas was released through a 100-m long horizontal injection well, at a flow rate of 300 kg day⁻¹. Spectral signatures were recorded almost daily from an unmown patch of plants over the injection with a “FieldSpec Pro” spectrometer by Analytical Spectral Devices, Inc. Measurements were taken both inside and outside of the CO₂ leak zone to normalize observations for other environmental factors affecting the plants. Four to five days after the injection began, stress was observed in the spectral signatures of plants within 1 m of the well. After approximately 10 days, moderate to high amounts of stress were measured out to 2.5 m from the well. This spatial distribution corresponded to areas of high CO₂ flux from the injection. Airborne hyperspectral imagery, acquired by Resonon, Inc. of Bozeman, MT using their hyperspectral camera, also showed the same pattern of plant stress. Spectral signatures of the plants were also compared to the CO₂ concentrations in the soil, which indicated that the lower limit of soil CO₂ needed to stress vegetation is between 4 and 8% by volume.     

Pressure transient technique to constrain CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> plume boundaries

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) has been injected in the subsurface permeable formations as a means to cut atmospheric CO₂ emissions and/or enhance oil recovery (EOR). It is important to constrain the boundaries of the CO₂ plume in the target formation and/or other formations hosting the CO₂ migrated from the target formation. Monitoring methods and technologies to assess the CO₂ plume boundaries over time within a reservoir of interest are required. Previously introduced methods and technologies on pressure monitoring to detect the extent of the CO₂ plume require at least two wells, i.e. pulser and observation wells. We introduce pressure transient technique requiring single well only. Single well pressure transient testing (drawdown/buildup/injection/falloff) is widely used to determine reservoir properties and wellbore conditions. Pressure diagnostic plots are used to identify different flow regimes and determine the reservoir/well characteristics. We propose a method to determine the plume extent for a constant rate pressure transient test at a single well outside the CO₂ plume. Due to the significant contrast between mobility and storativity of the CO₂ and native fluids (oil or brine), the CO₂ boundary causes deviation in the pressure diagnostic response from that corresponding to previously identified heterogeneities. Using the superposition principle, we develop a relationship between the deviation time and the plume boundary. We demonstrate the applicability of the proposed method using numerically generated synthetic data corresponding to homogeneous, heterogeneous, and anisotropic cases to evaluate its potential and limitations. We discuss ways to identify and overcome the potential limitations for application of the method in the field.     

Delineating hazardous CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> fluxes from acid mine drainage

Incidents of hazardous accumulations of CO₂ in homes built on or near reclaimed mine land, in the last decade, have been shown to be linked to neutralization reactions between acidic mine drainage and carbonate material. Recent research has shown that CO₂ fluxes on reclaimed mine land with this hazard are, sometimes, spatially autocorrelated (i.e., the spatial variability is not random). This result implies geostatistics can be used to delineate hazardous areas where fluxes are likely to exceed established thresholds. This study applies sequential Gaussian simulation to delineate this emerging hazard on a site in southwestern Indiana, USA. Due to lack of regulatory threshold limits for CO₂ flux at the current time, the authors conduct a sensitivity analysis of the threshold limit using the 75th, 90th and 95th percentiles of the measured fluxes for the first day of monitoring. These limits are used to produce hazard maps, which are validated with the known hazard at the site. This work further shows the potential of surface CO₂ flux monitoring as a cheap and effective strategy to monitor and delineate such hazards to avoid residential and commercial real estate development in high risk zones.     

Preparation of carbon molecular sieves and its impregnation with Co and Ni for CO<Subscript>2</Subscript>/N<Subscript>2</Subscript> separation

The carbon molecular sieves (CMSs) prepared by carbonaceous materials as precursors are effective in CO₂/N₂ separation. However, selectivity of these materials is too low, since hydrocarbon cracking for developing the desired microporosity in carbonaceous materials has not been done effectively. Hence, in this study, cobalt and nickel impregnation on the precursor was conducted to introduce catalysts for hydrocarbon cracking. Cobalt and nickel impregnation, carbonization under N₂ atmosphere, and chemical vapor deposition (CVD) by benzene were conducted on the extruded mixtures of activated carbon and coal tar pitch under different conditions to prepare CMSs. The best CMS prepared by carbon deposition on the cobalt-impregnated samples exhibited CO₂ adsorption capacity of 54.79 mg/g and uptake ratio of 28.9 at 0 °C and 1 bar. In terms of CO₂ adsorption capacity and uptake ratio, CMSs prepared by carbon deposition on non-impregnated and cobalt-impregnated samples presented the best results, respectively. As benzene concentration and CVD time increased, equilibrium adsorption capacity of CO₂ decreased, and uptake ratio increased. Cobalt was found to be the best catalyst for benzene cracking in the CVD process.     

CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> leakage through an abandoned well: problem-oriented benchmarks

The efficiency and sustainability of carbon dioxide (CO₂) storage in deep geological formations crucially depends on the integrity of the overlying cap-rocks. Existing oil and gas wells, which penetrate the formations, are potential leakage pathways. This problem has been discussed in the literature, and a number of investigations using semi-analytical mathematical approaches have been carried out by other authors to quantify leakage rates. The semi-analytical results are based on a number of simplifying assumptions. Thus, it is of great interest to assess the influence of these assumptions. We use a numerical model to compare the results with those of the semi-analytical model. Then we ease the simplifying restrictions and include more complex thermodynamic processes including sub- and supercritical fluid properties of CO₂ and non-isothermal as well as compositional effects. The aim is to set up problem-oriented benchmark examples that allow a comparison of different modeling approaches to the problem of CO₂ leakage.     

Ammonia emission from CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> capture pilot plant using aminoethylethanolamine

Amine post-combustion carbon capture technology is based on washing the flue gas with a solvent that captures CO₂. Thus, a small fraction of this solvent can be released together with the cleaned flue gas. This release may cause environmental concerns, both directly and indirectly through subsequent solvent degradation into other substances in the atmosphere. The paper presents the ammonia emission from CO₂ capture pilot plant (1 tonne CO₂ per day) using 40 wt% aminoethylethanolamine solvent, along with the efficiency of the water wash unit. In addition, the temperature effect of lean amine entering the absorber on ammonia emission was studied. Furthermore, the concentrations of other compounds such as SO₂, SO₃, NO₂, CS₂ and formaldehyde were monitored. The literature review on the NH₃ emission from a pilot plant using aminoethylethanolamine solvent has not been published. The results show that the main source of ammonia emission is the absorber and that emission (in the range 27–50 ppm) corresponds to typical NH₃ release from CO₂ capture pilot plant using an amine solvent. The emission of amines and amine degradation products is a complex phenomenon which is difficult to predict in novel solvents, and for this reason the significance of new solvents testing in a pilot scale has been highlighted.     

Zinclipscombite,ZnFe<Stack><Subscript>2</Subscript><Superscript>3+</Superscript></Stack>(PO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>(OH)<Subscript>2</Subscript>, a new mineral species

Zinclipscombite, a new mineral species, has been found together with apophyllite, quartz, barite, jarosite, plumbojarosite, turquoise, and calcite at the Silver Coin mine, Edna Mountains, Valmy, Humboldt County, Nevada, United States. The new mineral forms spheroidal, fibrous segregations; the thickness of the fibers, which extend along the c axis, reaches 20 μm, and the diameter of spherulites is up to 2.5 mm. The color is dark green to brown with a light green to beige streak and a vitreous luster. The mineral is translucent. The Mohs hardness is 5. Zinclipscombite is brittle; cleavage is not observed; fracture is uneven. The density is 3.65(4) g/cm³ measured by hydrostatic weighing and 3.727 g/cm³ calculated from X-ray powder data. The frequencies of absorption bands in the infrared spectrum of zinclipscombite are (cm^?1; the frequencies of the strongest bands are underlined; sh, shoulder; w, weak band) 3535, 3330sh, 3260, 1625w, 1530w, 1068, 1047, 1022, 970sh, 768w, 684w, 609, 502, and 460. The Mössbauer spectrum of zinclipscombite contains only a doublet corresponding to Fe³⁺ with sixfold coordination and a quadrupole splitting of 0.562 mm/s; Fe²⁺ is absent. The mineral is optically uniaxial and positive, ω = 1.755(5), ? = 1.795(5). Zinclipscombite is pleochroic, from bright green to blue-green on X and light greenish brown on Z (X > Z). Chemical composition (electron microprobe, average of five point analyses, wt %): CaO 0.30, ZnO 15.90, Al₂O₃ 4.77, Fe₂O₃ 35.14, P₂O₅ 33.86, As₂O₅ 4.05, H₂O (determined by the Penfield method) 4.94, total 98.96. The empirical formula calculated on the basis of (PO₄,AsO₄)₂ is (Zn_0.76Ca_0.02)_Σ0.78(Fe _1.72 ³⁺ Al_0.36)_Σ2.08[(PO₄)_1.86(AsO₄)_0.14]_Σ2.00(OH)_{1. 80} · 0.17H₂O. The simplified formula is ZnFe ₂ ³⁺ (PO₄)₂(OH)₂. Zinclipscombite is tetragonal, space group P4₃2₁2 or P4₁2₁2; a = 7.242(2) Å, c = 13.125(5) Å, V = 688.4(5) ų, Z = 4. The strongest reflections in the X-ray powder diffraction pattern (d, (I, %) ((hkl)) are 4.79(80)(111), 3.32(100)(113), 3.21(60)(210), 2.602(45)(213), 2.299(40)(214), 2.049(40)(106), 1.663(45)(226), 1.605(50)(421, 108). Zinclipscombite is an analogue of lipscombite, Fe²⁺Fe ₂ ³⁺ (PO₄)₂(OH)₂ (tetragonal), with Zn instead of Fe²⁺. The mineral is named for its chemical composition, the Zn-dominant analogue of lipscombite. The type material of zinclipscombite is deposited in the Mineralogical Collection of the Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg, Germany.     

Multi-spectral imaging of vegetation for detecting CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> leaking from underground

Practical geologic CO₂ sequestration will require long-term monitoring for detection of possible leakage back into the atmosphere. One potential monitoring method is multi-spectral imaging of vegetation reflectance to detect leakage through CO₂-induced plant stress. A multi-spectral imaging system was used to simultaneously record green, red, and near-infrared (NIR) images with a real-time reflectance calibration from a 3-m tall platform, viewing vegetation near shallow subsurface CO₂ releases during summers 2007 and 2008 at the Zero Emissions Research and Technology field site in Bozeman, Montana. Regression analysis of the band reflectances and the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index with time shows significant correlation with distance from the CO₂ well, indicating the viability of this method to monitor for CO₂ leakage. The 2007 data show rapid plant vigor degradation at high CO₂ levels next to the well and slight nourishment at lower, but above-background CO₂ concentrations. Results from the second year also show that the stress response of vegetation is strongly linked to the CO₂ sink–source relationship and vegetation density. The data also show short-term effects of rain and hail. The real-time calibrated imaging system successfully obtained data in an autonomous mode during all sky and daytime illumination conditions.     

Depth of volcanic basalt degassing forecasted from CO2 fluid inclusions

Fluid inclusions have recorded the history of degassing in basalt. Some fluid inclusions in olivine and pyroxene phenocrysts of basalt were analyzed by micro-thermometry and Raman spectroscopy in this paper. The experimental results showed that many inclusions are present almost in a pure CO2 system. The densities of some CO2 inclusions were computed in terms of Raman spectroscopic characteristics of CO2 Fermi resonance at room temperature. Their densities change over a wide range, but mainly between 0.044 g/cm3 and 0.289 g/cm3. Their micro-thermometric measurements showed that the CO2 inclusions examined reached homogenization between 1145.5℃ and 1265℃ . The mean value of homogenization temperatures of CO2 inclusions in basalts is near 1210℃. The trap pressures (depths) of inclusions were computed with the equation of state and computer program. Distribution of the trap depths makes it know that the degassing of magma can happen over a wide pressure (depth) range, but mainly at the depth of 0.48 km to 3.85 km. This implicates that basalt magma experienced intensive degassing and the CO2 gas reservoir from the basalt magma also may be formed in this range of depths. The results of this study showed that the depth of basalt magma degassing can be forecasted from CO2 fluid inclusions, and it is meaningful for understanding the process of magma degassing and constraining the inorganogenic CO2 gas reservoir.     

Near-surface soil carbon detection for monitoring CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> seepage from a geological reservoir

The promise of the Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) Inelastic Neutron Scattering (INS) System was evaluated for use as a long-term, in-field monitor to detect cumulative changes in belowground carbon resulting from the leakage of CO₂ stored in deep geological reservoirs. This system underwent tests at a facility constructed specifically for testing, under controlled conditions, various detection systems for monitoring near-surface transport and accumulations of CO₂ fluxes emanating from a shallow buried, slotted horizontal well. The INS System was assessed by comparing the results from placing it above the horizontal well at a spot with a known high CO₂ leak identified and quantified the previous years, with those obtained from background readings adjacent to the well. At two different “Hot Spots”, a suppression of about 14% in 2008 and about 7% in 2009 in carbon content above the well in comparison to the background signal was observed. An overview of these results is presented.     

Experimental study of pure and mixtures of CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> and CH<Subscript>4</Subscript> adsorption on modified carbon nanotubes

In this work 3-[2-(2-aminoethylamino)ethylamino]propyl trimethoxysilane (TRI) was employed to functionalize MWCNT containing hydroxyl groups (OH-MWCNT), and the XRD, FTIR, TGA and CHNS elemental analysis techniques were used to characterize the resulted adsorbents. The characterization results for amine-MWCNT showed amine groups effectively attached to the surface of the MWCNT. The equilibrium adsorption capacity of pure CO₂ and CH₄ and their binary mixture on the pristine MWCNT, OH-MWCNT and amine-MWCNT was measured through a set of equilibrium adsorption experiments at 303.2 and 318.2 K. Capacities of all three types of adsorbents for CO₂ adsorption were higher than those for methane adsorption. Also, amine-MWCNT demonstrated better performance on CO₂ adsorption than the other two adsorbents, especially at low partial pressures. The capacity of amine-MWCNT for pure CO₂ adsorption was 2.5 and 4 times as much as those for pristine MWCNT and OH-MWCNT, respectively, at the temperature of 303.2 K and the pressure of 0.2 bar. The binary adsorption experiment revealed that CO₂/CH₄ selectivity for pristine MWCNT and amine-MWCNT in all molar fractions of CO₂ is about 1.77 and 7, respectively.