Some preliminary FE results on CO2 sequestration in a
sedimentary basin
A. Comerlati, M. Ferronato, G. Gambolati, M. Putti, P. Teatini
Dept. Mathematical Methods and Models for Scientific
Applications, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
ABSTRACT
The so-called H2 project which aims at clean energy production starting
from CH4 generates a large quantity of CO2. To comply with
the recommendations of the 1997 Kyoto protocol, and thus contributing to mitigate
the global warming, this anthropogenic CO2 cannot be released into the
atmosphere. One possible option is the CO2 sequestration in deep saline
aquifers underlying the Eastern Po Plain and/or the Northern Adriatic Sea., Italy.
Once the CO2 produced during the CH4 reforming process is
collected and carried by pipeline to the injection wells drilled into an ad hoc
selected geologic formation, a numerical study must be developed to understand the
mechanism by which the injected CO2 is stored within the basin and
predict its future fate. Dispersion, advection with the natural aquifer flow,
gravity segregation, groundwater dissolution and geochemical reactions play
important roles each one of them is to be individually investigated. In addition
geomechanical issues are to be properly addressed in order to guarantee the safety
of the sequestration. The present communication reports on a preliminary Finite
Element (FE) study concerning the fluid-dynamical processes which control the
fate of the CO2 sequestered in a deep saline aquifer. At this time the
CO2 mineral trapping by the solid matrix is not jet investigated. The
CO2 injection is assumed to occur from a point source into a 1100 m
deep aquifer located within the normally consolidated and normally pressurized
Northern Adriatic basin. The occurrence is simulated and predicted using existing
information about the hydromechanical properties of the formation.
