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

普林斯顿大学和劳伦斯伯克利国家实验室已经建立了一项新的合作，以研究碳封存的可行性和风险，这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山新DUSEL设施的一部分。 “DUSEL CO2”设施将使美国成为唯一拥有深层地下实验室的国家，用于地质碳封存的受控研究，为全球领导提供了一个独特的机会。 这些独特的实验结果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。计划中的设施的功能和能力是前所未有的。实验设计利用了Homestake现有的近半公里垂直范围的“砂线”钻孔。 将在砂线内安装管道，作为长流柱。 这些柱将包含CO2，并允许在与深层地下储层相同的压力和温度条件下进行实验。 填充材料将模拟沉积分层，以及堵塞威尔斯井中的水泥。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。作为初始实验套件的一部分，我们计划模拟泄漏，其中CO2从超临界流体变为亚临界气体，因为在上升过程中压力下降数十至数百米。 我们将测试由于浮力增加而可能导致的CO2流加速。 此外，我们还将研究二氧化碳与盖层岩石和油井水泥的相互作用，并确定二氧化碳是否会扩大流动通道或导致自封。 最后，我们将研究厌氧嗜热菌对CO2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的个人进行了免费合作。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）计划，用于在设施寿命期间设计，采购，建造，运营和拆除设施。目前正在通过国际讲习班和成立国际咨询委员会来提高国际上对DUSEL CO2的认识。 此外，我们正在与其他DUSEL科学家合作，开展教育和推广工作。深层科学，？特别关注气候变化和能源解决方案。DUSEL教育和推广活动的重点是南达科他州的美洲原住民社区和霍姆斯托克桑福德实验室游客中心的运作。 为了激励和教育下一代领导者，我们正在让普林斯顿大学的本科生和研究生参与DUSEL CO2研究。

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.