Flow simulations for carbon sequestration at a coal-seam pilot site
Flow simulations for carbon sequestration at a coal-seam pilot site (in CO2 sequestration, Colin Sayers (editor) and Tom Wilson (editor))
Leading Edge (Tulsa, OK) (February 2010) 29 (2): 224-227
- aliphatic hydrocarbons
- alkanes
- carbon sequestration
- coal seams
- coalbed methane
- Darcy's law
- Eddy County New Mexico
- engineering properties
- fluid dynamics
- fractured materials
- gas injection
- gas storage
- hydrocarbons
- methane
- natural gas
- New Mexico
- numerical models
- organic compounds
- permeability
- petroleum
- production
- reservoir properties
- San Juan County New Mexico
- simulation
- United States
- Waste Isolation Pilot Plant
- Allison Field
Computer simulations of the flow and diffusion of H (sub 2) O, CH (sub 4) , and CO (sub 2) through unmineable coal seams are integral parts of the design, implementation, and interpretation of carbon sequestration field projects. Although it has seldom been discussed in the literature, coal seams may also effectively serve as "cap rock" for sequestration into underlying formations (brine-saturated, oil and gas reservoirs, or other coal seams). In this case, the very large sorption capacities of coal, even at low CO (sub 2) pressures; the blockage of CO (sub 2) flow through cleats when they are saturated with H (sub 2) O; and the tendency of coal to swell when it sorbs CO (sub 2) , thus reducing cleat apertures and Darcy flow, all may contribute to make coal seams effective caprock.
