Application of CFD technology to a problem in energy and environment: Geological Carbon Sequestration

Ramesh K. Agarwal, Zheming Zhang

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

Geological Carbon Sequestration (GCS) is one of the most promising technologies to address the issue of excessive anthropogenic CO2 emissions into the atmosphere due to fossil fuel combustion for electricity generation. For GCS, the saline aquifer geological carbon sequestration (SAGCS) is considered very attractive compared to other options because of their huge sequestration capacity in U.S. and other parts of the world. However, in order to fully exploit their potential, the injection strategies need to be investigated that can address the issues of both the CO2 storage efficiency and safety along with their economic feasibility. Numerical simulations can be used to determine these strategies before the deployment of full scale sequestration in saline aquifers. We have developed a genetic algorithm (GA) based optimizer for the wellknown multi-phase numerical simulator TOUGH2 to study the optimization of various injection strategies for achieving the optimal storage efficiency as well as reduction in plume migration. The new integrated code (TOUGH2 solver and the optimizer) is designated as GATOUGH2. This paper presents the numerical simulations of CO2 sequestration in three large identified saline aquifers (Mt. Simon, Frio and Utsira) where the sequestration is currently underway or has been recently completed (in case of Frio). The results of simulations are compared with the available seismic data. In addition the GATOUGH2 is applied to evaluate various injection strategies to achieve the goals of enhanced storage efficiency and reduced plume migration. The results of large scale history-matching simulations in Mt. Simon, Frio and Utsira formations provide important insights in the uncertainties associated with the numerical modeling of SAGCS. The results of alternative optimization designs show promise of achieving the desired objectives of enhancing the storage efficiency significantly while reducing the plume migration, brine movement and pressure impact in GCS. These results also demonstrate that GATOUGH2 code holds a great promise in studying a host of other problems in CO2 sequestration such as how to optimally accelerate the capillary trapping, accelerate the dissolution of CO2 in water or brine, and immobilize the CO2 plume.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication51st AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting including the New Horizons Forum and Aerospace Exposition 2013
StatePublished - 2013
Event51st AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting including the New Horizons Forum and Aerospace Exposition 2013 - Grapevine, TX, United States
Duration: Jan 7 2013Jan 10 2013

Publication series

Name51st AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting including the New Horizons Forum and Aerospace Exposition 2013

Conference

Conference51st AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting including the New Horizons Forum and Aerospace Exposition 2013
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityGrapevine, TX
Period01/7/1301/10/13

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