Storage Capacity of CO2 Sequestered in Heterogeneous Reservoirs
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Cambridge
Department Name: Earth Sciences
Abstract
Carbon Sequestration involves the injection of CO2 into subsurface aquifers and other porous layers in order to store CO2 produced as the product of combustion. A major challenge for sequstration is the prediction of the fraction of the pore space which may be accessed by injection of CO2 and hence which will be available for carbon storage.
Simplified models of flow offer a means to rapidly assess the influence of variations in layer geometry and properties on their CO2 storage capacity. This project will use simplified models to assess controls on storage capacity and build insight into the likely range of capacities in different type rocks (turbidite, fluvial etc), based upon their structures. Specific models for type geometries will address the variation in storage capacity associated with buoyant over-ride of injected CO2, the presence of lower
permeability heterogeneities and the three dimensional reservoir architecture. The models will be combined with a statistical description of the variation in reservoir properties to assess the uncertainties in storage capacity for different types of possible reservoir rock.
This project will involve the development of models and laboratory experiments to explore the trapping efficiency of various types of permeable rock when CO2 is injected into the rock. The work will build from several models of carbon sequestration but focussing on this critical aspect of sequestration.
The student will have access to historical data sets, and will be able to interact with the BP carbon sequestration team as well as being part of a large research effort into carbon sequestration in the BP Institute and more broadly the University of Cambridge.
Simplified models of flow offer a means to rapidly assess the influence of variations in layer geometry and properties on their CO2 storage capacity. This project will use simplified models to assess controls on storage capacity and build insight into the likely range of capacities in different type rocks (turbidite, fluvial etc), based upon their structures. Specific models for type geometries will address the variation in storage capacity associated with buoyant over-ride of injected CO2, the presence of lower
permeability heterogeneities and the three dimensional reservoir architecture. The models will be combined with a statistical description of the variation in reservoir properties to assess the uncertainties in storage capacity for different types of possible reservoir rock.
This project will involve the development of models and laboratory experiments to explore the trapping efficiency of various types of permeable rock when CO2 is injected into the rock. The work will build from several models of carbon sequestration but focussing on this critical aspect of sequestration.
The student will have access to historical data sets, and will be able to interact with the BP carbon sequestration team as well as being part of a large research effort into carbon sequestration in the BP Institute and more broadly the University of Cambridge.
People |
ORCID iD |
| A Woods (Primary Supervisor) | |
| Patrick Mortimer (Student) |
Publications
Mortimer P
(2021)
Immiscible capillary flows in non-uniform channels
in Journal of Fluid Mechanics
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP/S513775/1 | 01/10/2018 | 30/09/2024 | |||
| 2111334 | Studentship | EP/S513775/1 | 01/10/2018 | 30/09/2022 | Patrick Mortimer |
| Description | So far the work has examined the dynamics of immiscible fluid exchange in non-uniform channels. This is important as it is a ubiquitous process in carbon storage in saline aquifers. Previous work had often focused on uniform channels and hence neglected gradients of surface tension. We have built a model which accounts for this effect and hence furthered understanding of the controls on real geophysical flows in heterogeneous media. |
| Exploitation Route | Further work can be done in understanding the stability of the theoretical predictions made in the work. The work will progress by studying our model under various boundary conditions and further validation through laboratory experiments. This work opens up a suite of interesting problems and questions to be carried forward into further research. |
| Sectors | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Agriculture, Food and Drink,Chemicals,Construction,Energy,Environment,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology,Transport |