Scientists apply fingerprint test for CO2 storage

A test developed by University scientists to check for leaks from carbon capture and storage (CCS) sites has been used for the first time.

Researchers made use of their pioneering for CCS – in which man-made are stored deep underground – at a storage site in Canada.

Researchers from Scottish Carbon Capture & Storage (SCCS) have developed a way to measure tiny traces of inactive natural gases, known as , found in CO2.

These noble gases vary depending on whether the CO2 is from just below ground or deep below, enabling scientists to fingerprint a sample and pinpoint its source.

Leak tests

The technique, developed by scientists at the University of Edinburgh, has been conclusively used to investigate an alleged leak from CO2 injected underground at a farm in Saskatchewan, Canada.

The test showed that high levels of CO2 recorded on the farm arose from nearby wetlands and were not leaking from a CCS site at the nearby Weyburn Oil Field.

While studies have shown that small amounts of CO2 seepage carry no significant threat to human health, the new test will allow scientists and storage site developers to reassure residents that CO2 storage sites are secure.

Test potential

The technique will be useful in countries, such as Canada and the US, where onshore CO2 storage is already under way.

In the UK, which has ample offshore CO2 storage, scientists are researching how this test can be combined with other offshore monitoring methods.

The study has been published in the International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control and was funded by the Natural Environment Research Council and SCCS.

"Carbon capture and storage is an essential means to curb emissions of , which is needed to limit global warming to 2C, as internationally agreed recently in Paris. Securely storing captured CO2 is critical to its success and our method of identifying any leaks should give assurance to local communities. Our work provides a simple way to easily and unambiguously spot leaks from future storage sites, using the fingerprint of noble gases that the CO2 picks up during ," says Dr Stuart Gilfillan.

Citation: Scientists apply fingerprint test for CO2 storage (2017, June 23) retrieved 19 March 2024 from https://phys.org/news/2017-06-scientists-fingerprint-co2-storage.html
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