Sonic Telemetry for Downhole Sensors

Sensors are required outside the deep subsurface steel pipe casing where carbon dioxide is being stored in order to make essential chemical measurements but this has been difficult in the past because few telemetry systems are available to transmit the sensor data in the cement annulus area outside the casing to the surface. A monitoring system for CO2 deep well storage will promote carbon capture and storage operations, thus reducing global warming. A prototype sensor telemetry transmitter and receiver with sensors intended to be placed on the outside of a steel pipe casing will be constructed and tested.Optimization of signal strength and power minimizations will be made. The objectives will be the design of a deep hole, through-wall sonic technology system, without wall penetration, for CO2 monitoring with a long operating life and simple installation. The tasks for the wireless sensor network development are: Sonic Thru-wall Telemetry - A sonic transmitter and receiver will be constructed and testing. The transmission loss through the casing wall as a function of frequency will be measured. Transmitter/Receiver Modules - The sensor module consisting of a sensor, a microcontroller and sonic transmitter/receiver will be constructed. The receiver unit consisting of the amplifier, PSD and microcontroller will be constructed next. The ability to transmit pressure (low range) and temperature sensor data from the transmitter to the receiver will be demonstrated. Also the receiver sensitivity will be measured. Energy Harvesting - The sound energy harvesting section will be build and tested. The efficiency will be measured. System Test - The complete system will be tested with a temperature, pressure and prototype CO2 sensor. Phase II System Description - The modules to be built and tested in Phase II will be designed.