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High Precision Carbon Dioxide Detection for Geological Reservoirs

Detailed Technology Description

UC San Diego researchers have developed a method and apparatus that integrate sensor systems to enable the detection of carbon dioxide leakage from geo-sequestration sites with high precision and specificity. The invention can distinguish the addition of carbon dioxide to the area by reservoir leaks from carbon dioxide generated by combustion and other typical above-ground sources. Relative to the state-of-the-art, the invention is more sensitive and robust and does not depend on the injection of tracers to allow detection; in particular, it is more sensitive than using isotopes of carbon dioxide to fingerprint carbon dioxide leakage. The sensors of the invention can be packaged for mobile surveys of geo-sequestration sites or distributed to form an intelligent network of carbon dioxide monitors.

Supplementary Information

Patent Number: US8359167B2
Application Number: US2010730031A
Inventor: Keeling, Ralph F. | Dubey, Manvendra K.
Priority Date: 23 Mar 2009
Priority Number: US8359167B2
Application Date: 23 Mar 2010
Publication Date: 22 Jan 2013
IPC Current: G01N003100
US Class: 702024 | 702022 | 702023
Assignee Applicant: The Regents of the University of California
Title: Measurement of carbon capture efficiency and stored carbon leakage
Usefulness: Measurement of carbon capture efficiency and stored carbon leakage
Summary: Method is used for measuring carbon capture efficiency and stored carbon leakage in free atmosphere, soil gas, or aqueous media, such as ground waters, lakes, or seawater.
Novelty: Measurement of carbon capture efficiency and stored carbon leakage by receiving data representative of measured carbon dioxide and oxygen concentrations, determining, and promoting result indicating escape of carbon dioxide from source

Industry

Chemical/Material

Sub Category

Chemical/Material Application

Application No.

8359167

Others

Tech ID/UC Case

19231/2008-251-0

Related Cases

2008-251-0

*Abstract

Large-scale sequestration of carbon dioxide in underground geological reservoirs is being actively explored as a means to sustain fossil energy use and minimize climate risks. Assuring the integrity of the huge carbon dioxide plume sequestered in such underground reservoirs is central to the viability and acceptability of this approach. It is known that carbon dioxide can leak from underground storage reservoirs. The U.S. Department of Energy has set a limit on carbon dioxide leak rates of 0.01 percent per year to the atmosphere. Detection of carbon dioxide leakage from non-point sources at sequestration sites is problematic because of the variability of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere due to natural ecosystem photosynthesis-respiration fluxes, variations in background air-mass trajectories, and local or regional pollution from fossil fuel combustion.

*IP Issue Date

Jan 22, 2013

*Principal Investigator

Name: Manvendra Dubey

Department:

Name: Ralph Keeling

Department:

Country/Region

USA