Abstract
This study presents a three-dimensional reactive transport model to simulate upward and lateral migration of CO2 plumes under different scenarios through a leaky section of a plugged and abandoned well at a hypothetical CO2 storage site into the Texas Gulf Coast Aquifer (TGCA). The TGCA is the most active region in research and operation of carbon capture, utilization, and storage, with the largest technically accessible resource of CO2 storage, in the United States. The results suggest that dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) concentration and pH, better than Cl concentration (or total dissolved solids), can be indicators for leakage detection in the TGCA; DIC has earlier detection time than pH. The modeling results show that detection of CO2 leakage in the shallow aquifers may take hundreds of years because of the confining unit in the TGCA, suggesting that (1) monitoring wells should be placed as deep as possible and (2) characterization of confining units in the overlying aquifer system is critical. Regional hydraulic gradient and groundwater pumping in the TGCA are important factors for monitoring well placement. While this study was conducted in the TGCA, the results provide valuable information for groundwater monitoring at other geological carbon sequestration sites.
Résumé
Cette étude présente un modèle de transport réactif tridimensionnel pour la simulation de la migration ascendante et latérale de panaches de CO2 pour différents scénarios de fuite le long d’une section d’un puits bouché et abandonné pour un site hypothétique de stockage de CO2 dans l’aquifère côtier du golfe du Texas (ACGT). L’ACGT est la région des Etats-Unis d’Amérique la plus active pour la recherche et les opérations de captation, d’utilisation et de stockage du carbone; elle contient la plus importante ressource techniquement accessible pour le stockage du CO2. Les résultats suggèrent que la concentration en carbone inorganique dissous (CID) et le pH, peuvent être de meilleurs indicateurs de détection de fuite dans l’ACGT que la concentration en Cl (ou en solides dissous totaux). Le CID est détecté plus tôt que le pH. Les résultats de modélisation montrent que la détection de fuite de CO2 dans les aquifères peu profonds peut prendre plusieurs centaines d’années du fait de l’unité à caractère confinant dans l’ACGT, suggérant que (1) les puits de surveillance devraient être placés le plus profond possible et (2) la caractérisation des unités à caractère confinant du système aquifère sus-jacent est essentielle. Le gradient hydraulique régional et les pompages des eaux souterraines dans l’ACGT sont des facteurs importants pour l’emplacement des puits de surveillance. Bien que cette étude soit menée dans l’ACGT, les résultats fournissent de précieuses informations pour la surveillance des eaux souterraines concernant d’autres sites de séquestration géologique du carbone.
Resumen
Este estudio presenta un modelo tridimensional de transporte reactivo para simular la migración ascendente y lateral de plumas de CO2 en diferentes escenarios a través de una sección con filtración de un pozo obstruido y abandonado en un sitio hipotético de almacenamiento de CO2 en el Texas Gulf Coast Aquifer (TGCA). El TGCA es la región más activa en la investigación y operación de captura, utilización y almacenamiento de carbono, con el recurso de almacenamiento de CO2 más accesible técnicamente en los Estados Unidos. Los resultados sugieren que la concentración de carbono inorgánico disuelto (DIC) y el pH, mejor que la concentración de Cl (o los sólidos disueltos totales), pueden ser indicadores para la detección de fugas en el TGCA. DIC tiene un tiempo de detección más temprano que el pH. Los resultados del modelo muestran que la detección de filtraciones de CO2 en los acuíferos poco profundos puede demorar cientos de años debido a la unidad de confinamiento en el TGCA, lo que sugiere que (1) los pozos de monitoreo deben colocarse lo más profundo posible y (2) es crítica la caracterización de las unidades de confinamiento en el sistema de acuíferos suprayacentes. El gradiente hidráulico regional y el bombeo de agua subterránea en el TGCA son factores importantes para monitorear la ubicación del pozo. Si bien este estudio se realizó en el TGCA, los resultados brindan información valiosa para el monitoreo del agua subterránea en otros sitios de secuestro geológico de carbono.
摘要
本研究展示了三维反应运移模型,该模型通过德克萨斯海湾沿海含水层一个堵塞和废弃井的渗漏剖面模拟了不同情况下CO2 的向上和侧向运移。德克萨斯海湾沿海含水层是碳捕获、利用和储藏研究最活跃的地区,这一地区是美国最大的CO2储藏地。研究结果显示,溶解无机碳含量和pH比Cl含量更能作为德克萨斯海湾沿海含水层渗漏监测的参数。溶解无机碳比pH探测时间更早。模拟结果显示,浅层含水层CO2渗漏的探测需要数百年,这是因为德克萨斯海湾沿海含水层的承压单元表明:(1)监测井应当设置在尽可能深的地方;(2)上覆含水层系统中承压单元的特征描述非常关键。德克萨斯海湾沿海含水层区域水力梯度及地下水开采是监测井布置的关键因素。这项研究在德克萨斯海湾沿海含水层进行,但研究结果为其它地质碳储存地的地下水监测提供了宝贵的信息。
Resumo
Este estudo apresenta um modelo tridimensional de transporte reativo para simular a migração ascendente e lateral de plumas de CO2 sob diferentes cenários através de uma seção com vazamento de um poço obstruído e abandonado em um local hipotético de armazenamento de CO2 no Aquífero da Costa do Golfo do Texas (ACGT). O ACGT é a região mais ativa em pesquisa e operação de captura, utilização e armazenamento de carbono, com o maior recurso tecnicamente acessível de armazenamento de CO2 nos Estados Unidos. Os resultados sugerem que a concentração de carbono inorgânico dissolvido (CID) e o pH, melhor que a concentração de Cl (ou sólidos totais dissolvidos), podem ser indicadores de detecção de vazamentos no ACGT. O CID tem um tempo de detecção anterior ao pH. Os resultados da modelagem mostram que a detecção de vazamento de CO2 nos aquíferos rasos pode levar centenas de anos por causa da unidade de confinamento no ACGT, sugerindo que (1) os poços de monitoramento devem ser colocados o mais fundo possível e (2) a caracterização das unidades confinantes no sistema aquífero sobrejacente é crítica. O gradiente hidráulico regional e o bombeamento de águas subterrâneas no ACGT são fatores importantes para monitorar a locação do poço. Embora este estudo tenha sido conduzido no ACGT, os resultados fornecem informações valiosas para o monitoramento de águas subterrâneas em outros locais geológicos de sequestro de carbono.
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The authors thank the editors and the anonymous reviewers for their constructive comments which greatly improve this manuscript. Special thanks are given to the technical editor advisor, Sue Duncan who also conducted technical edits for our manuscript.
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Bie, H., Yang, C. & Liu, P. Assessing groundwater monitoring strategy for leakage detection in the Texas Gulf Coast Aquifer (USA) at a hypothetical CO2 storage site: a reactive transport modeling approach. Hydrogeol J 27, 553–566 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-018-1887-y
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-018-1887-y