Collaborative Research: DUSEL CO2 - A Deep Underground Laboratory for Geologic CO2 Sequestration Studies: Design of the Facility and Experiments

普林斯顿大学（Princeton University）和劳伦斯伯克利国家实验室（Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory）达成了一项新的合作，旨在研究碳封存的可行性和风险。碳封存是一种通过将温室气体储存在地下深处来应对全球变暖的方法。为了更好地理解碳封存，我们将建立一个深埋地下的实验室，研究捕获和储存二氧化碳的过程，包括意外泄漏的风险。它将成为南达科他州霍姆斯特克矿新DUSEL设施的一部分。“DUSEL CO2”设施将使美国成为唯一一个拥有地下深层实验室的国家，用于地质碳封存的受控研究，为全球领导提供了独特的机会。这些独特实验的发现将推动全球碳管理技术的发展，并有助于减少全球温室气体排放。计划中的设施的特点和能力是前所未有的。实验设计利用了Homestake现有“沙线”钻孔近半公里的垂直范围。将在沙带内安装管道，作为长流柱。这些柱将包含二氧化碳，并允许在与深地下储层相同的压力和温度条件下进行实验。充填材料将模拟沉积分层，以及封堵井中的胶结物。仪器将能够详细监测流量、压力、温度、盐水成分、地质力学和微生物活动。作为初始实验的一部分，我们计划模拟一种泄漏，在这种泄漏中，二氧化碳在上升数十到数百米的过程中，随着压力的下降，从超临界流体变为亚临界气体。我们将测试由于浮力增加可能导致的二氧化碳流动加速。此外，我们将研究二氧化碳与盖层和井固井的相互作用，并确定二氧化碳是否会扩大流动通道或导致自密封。最后，我们将研究厌氧、嗜热细菌对二氧化碳转化为甲烷和碳酸盐的影响。该项目由普林斯顿大学和LBNL的研究人员领导，并与ORNL、斯坦福大学、斯伦贝谢和美国能源部NETL的个人进行了无偿合作。在这个为期三年的项目中，该团队正在努力(i)优先考虑将在DUSEL CO2进行的未来实验，（ii）建立模拟实验条件和预测过程动态的模型，以及（iii）制定工作分解结构（WBS）时间表，用于设施生命周期内的设施设计，采购，建造，运营和解构。通过举办国际讲习班和成立国际咨询委员会，正在促进国际上对DUSEL CO2的认识。此外，我们正在与DUSEL的其他科学家合作，开展关于“深度科学”的教育和推广，特别关注气候变化和能源解决方案。DUSEL的教育和推广活动主要集中在南达科他州的美国原住民社区，以及位于Homestake的桑福德实验室的游客中心。为了激励和教育下一代领导者，我们让普林斯顿大学的本科生和研究生参与到DUSEL CO2的研究中来。

Princeton University and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have forged a new collaboration to examine the feasibility and risks of carbon sequestration, a method of countering global warming by storing greenhouse gases deep underground. To develop a sound understanding of carbon sequestration, we will build a deep underground laboratory to study the processes of trapping and storing CO2, including the risks of unintended leakage. It will be part of the new DUSEL facility at the Homestake mine in South Dakota. The "DUSEL CO2" facility will make the United States the only country with a deep underground laboratory for controlled study of geologic carbon sequestration, providing a unique opportunity for global leadership. The findings from these unique experiments will advance carbon management technology worldwide and help reduce global greenhouse gas emissions. The features and capabilities of the planned facility are unprecedented. The experimental design exploits the nearly half-kilometer vertical extent of existing "sandline" borings at Homestake. Pipes will be installed within the sandlines to serve as long flow columns. These columns will contain the CO2 and allow experimentation at the same pressure and temperature conditions as in deep subsurface reservoirs. Fill materials will mimic sedimentary layering, as well as cements in plugged wells. Instrumentation will enable detailed monitoring of flow, pressure, temperature, brine composition, geomechanics, and microbial activity. As part of the initial suite of experiments, we plan to simulate a leak in which CO2 changes from a supercritical fluid to a subcritical gas as the pressure drops during upflow over tens to hundreds of meters. We will test for possible acceleration in CO2 flow due to increasing buoyancy. Also, we will examine the interactions of CO2 with cap-rocks and well cements, and determine whether CO2 will enlarge flow pathways or cause self-sealing. Finally, we will investigate the effects of anaerobic, thermophilic bacteria on CO2 conversion to methane and carbonate. This project is being led by researchers at Princeton and LBNL, and involves no-cost collaboration with individuals at ORNL, Stanford University, Schlumberger and the U.S. DOE NETL. During this three-year project, the team is working to (i) prioritize future experiments that will be conducted at DUSEL CO2, (ii) build models that simulate experimental conditions and predict process dynamics, and (iii) develop a Work-Breakdown Structure (WBS) schedule for design, procurement, construction, operation and deconstruction of the facility over the facility lifetime. International awareness about DUSEL CO2 is being fostered through international workshops and formation of an International Advisory Committee. Also, we are collaborating with other DUSEL scientists on education and outreach about "deep science," with particular focus on climate change and energy solutions. DUSEL education and outreach activities are focused on Native American communities in South Dakota and operation of the Visitor Center at the Sanford Lab at Homestake. To inspire and educate the next generation of leaders, we are involving undergraduate and graduate students in DUSEL CO2 research at Princeton University.