Fluid-heat dynamics and techno-economic analysis in a deep saline aquifer

Abstract

Carbon dioxide sequestration is one of the most potent ways to offset global warming. Deep saline aquifers are one of the prime targets for carbon dioxide sequestration, among several storage media. Here, a reservoir simulation study was conducted on a repository – a deep saline aquifer to store carbon dioxide. The basis of the study was to evaluate the fluid flow and heat transfer mechanisms under non-isothermal conditions. Different mass and heat transfer mechanisms were studied, and diffusion and conduction were found to have profound effects on the fate of CO2. Plume height was varied along with reservoir geometry to determine their effects on the spread of the plume. Both reservoir geometry and permeability anisotropy were found to impact the plume shape. The results show that changing the reservoir geometry changed the fate of CO2. When the reservoir was made wider, solubility trapping prevailed. In contrast, when reservoir length was narrowed, residual and capillary trapping took over. Cost analysis considering a single well of the Ketzin site, Germany, was carried out to add to the existing database, along with source–sink matching.

Keywords

• carbon dioxide sequestration
• deep saline aquifers
• heat transfer
• fluid flow
• cost analysis
• operations management
• source sink mapping