Modeling CO 2 flow in support of a shallow subsurface controlled leakage field test

Abstract Controlled release of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) into the soil and atmosphere is performed to test detection and monitoring tools, for which several field laboratories were established by a number of institutions worldwide. Numerical simulations of CO 2 behavior in the shallow subsurface region...

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Published in:Greenhouse gases: science and technology 2019-10, Vol.9 (5), p.1027-1042
Main Authors: Iglesias, Rodrigo S., Romio, Cristiane, Melo, Clarissa L., Musse, Ana Paula S., do Rosário, Fátima, Oldenburg, Curtis M.
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:Abstract Controlled release of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) into the soil and atmosphere is performed to test detection and monitoring tools, for which several field laboratories were established by a number of institutions worldwide. Numerical simulations of CO 2 behavior in the shallow subsurface region are other forms of validation and verification of the leakage pathways and destinations. These studies aim to improve monitoring and verification of CO 2 in case of unexpected leakages for public assurance. In this work, we present the results of a numerical modeling study conducted to simulate the injection of CO 2 as carried out during a field test in Viamão, southern Brazil, where 20 kg day –1 of CO 2 was pumped for 30 days through a vertical well 3 m below ground in an altered granitic soil. Multiphase flow simulations were performed with the TOUGH2/EOS7CA software for unsaturated porous media, using field data and injection parameters, including sensitivity tests to permeability direction, diffusivity, and boundary conditions. Results with increased horizontal permeabilities are in better agreement with the field observations. In this condition, mass balance calculations indicate approximately 90% of injected CO 2 (20 kg day –1 during 30 days) remains in the soil after 180 days from injection start, consistent with the measured flow through the soil–atmosphere interface. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
ISSN:2152-3878
2152-3878
DOI:10.1002/ghg.1917