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建立了一项新的合作，以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深埋在地下来对抗全球变暖的方法。为了更好地理解碳封存，我们将建立一个深层地下实验室，研究二氧化碳的捕获和储存过程，包括意外泄漏的风险。它将是南达科他州Homestake矿新Dusel设施的一部分。“杜塞尔二氧化碳”设施将使美国成为唯一一个拥有深部地下实验室进行地质碳封存受控研究的国家，为全球领先提供了一个独特的机会。这些独特实验的发现将在全球范围内推进碳管理技术，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现有的“沙线”钻井近半公里的垂直范围。管道将安装在沙线内，作为长流柱。这些柱子将含有二氧化碳，并允许在与地下深层储油层相同的压力和温度条件下进行实验。填充材料将模仿沉积分层，以及封堵油井中的水泥。仪器将能够对流量、压力、温度、卤水成分、地质力学和微生物活动进行详细监测。作为最初一系列实验的一部分，我们计划模拟二氧化碳从超临界流体转变为亚临界气体的泄漏，因为在上升流超过数十至数百米的过程中，压力下降。我们将测试由于浮力增加而可能加速的二氧化碳流动。此外，我们还将研究二氧化碳与盖层岩石和油井胶结物的相互作用，并确定二氧化碳是否会扩大流动通道或导致自封闭。最后，我们将研究厌氧嗜热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的个人进行免费合作。在这个为期三年的项目中，该团队致力于(I)确定将在Dusel CO2进行的未来实验的优先顺序，(Ii)建立模拟实验条件和预测过程动态的模型，以及(Iii)为设施在整个设施生命周期内的设计、采购、建造、运营和拆除制定工作分解结构(WBS)时间表。通过举办国际研讨会和成立国际咨询委员会，正在培养国际上对杜塞尔二氧化碳的认识。此外，我们正在与其他杜塞尔科学家合作，开展“深度科学”方面的教育和宣传，特别关注气候变化和能源解决方案。杜塞尔教育和外联活动的重点是南达科他州的美洲原住民社区和霍姆斯塔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人，我们邀请普林斯顿大学的本科生和研究生参与杜塞尔二氧化碳研究。

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.