Article published TEST BENCH
Testing safety of underground CO2
Storing CO2 in deep aquifers is a promising alternative for reducing carbon dioxide emissions in the atmosphere. As part of the French National Research Agency project Geocarbone-Integrite, which aims to develop the knowledge and techniques needed for this type of underground storage, CEA LITEN has made two test benches available to industry. This equipment is used to characterise cover rock ? permeability, porosity, inlet pressure, changes in properties following contact with CO2 or with water containing dissolved CO2. It therefore helps users understand the mechanisms at work and offers the major advantage of realistic experimental conditions, resembling those found at a depth of 2000 m: temperatures up to 90°C and pressures of 200 bar. The two test benches have different functions: one measures the pressure of the gas as it enters the rock; the other measures dissolved gas transport in the rock. A loss of confinement would make storage inefficient and could lead to environmental damage. This equipment is crucial for the integrity of CO2 geological storage facilities and the safety of surrounding populations.
