Subsurface Monitor for Dissolved Inorganic Carbon at Geological Sequestration Site

This proposal addresses the needs to measure the Dissolved Inorganic Carbons (DIC) in underground brine water at higher sensitivity, lower cost, in situ, at higher frequency and over long period of time for the Monitoring, Verification and Accounting (MVA) of CO2 sequestration. The current manometer type of technology for measuring DIC and the difficulties in operating such instruments for sub-surface MVA of CO2 are explained. We propose that QCL based spectrometer could provide higher sensitivity of DIC measurement, and therefore could quantify and resolve at high sensitivity over an extended region or spatial scale; improve the reliability of next-generation detection and sensing technologies; and quantify the mass of sequestered CO2, not only over its volume (both depth and lateral extent) but also as a function of time, thus meeting the challenges represented in technical Area #24, subtopic d. of the FOA. We will verify the advantages of the proposed solution and build a prototype in the Phase I of the project. Commercial Applications and other benefits: The proposed research will provide a powerful tool for sub-surface MVA of CO2 at sequestration sites. The technology developed will also find great market opportunities in industrial process control, medical care and other researches. The final instrument will have great impacts for the ultimate accurate MVA of sequestrated CO2, creating green energy jobs in support of the Recovery Act.