Friday, November 12, 2010

Duke Geosequestration Study Released

A recent Duke University study analyzes geosequestration as a method of storing carbon (CO2) captured by facilities such as coal-fired electricity plants. The study concluded that carbon stored deep underground could contaminate freshwater aquifers. Researchers identified geologic criteria that can help monitor geosequestration projects as well as determine locations that may not be suitable for storing CO2. Read more...

The Duke study comes on the heels of a report released by the US Department of Energy summarizing results of a geosequestration project in North Dakota. The University of North Dakota is one of several partners collaborating with the DOE in this study of using lignite coal seams for storing carbon generated by nearby power plants.

 In March 2009, approximately 90 tons of CO2 were injected over 2 weeks into a coal seam 10–12 feet thick at a depth of approximately 1,100 feet in Burke County. Testing demonstrated that the CO2 did not significantly move away from the wellbore and was contained within the coal seam for the duration of a 3-month monitoring period. Read more...

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