Carbon dioxide storage solution
24 Jun 2010 by Evoluted New Media
Thousands of tonnes of carbon dioxide could be pumped underground to mix with minerals and become rock if an experiment to test the theory’s viability is a success.
Thousands of tonnes of carbon dioxide could be pumped underground to mix with minerals and become rock if an experiment to test the theory’s viability is a success.
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Hellisheidi Geothermal Power Plant where carbon dioxide is captured before experimental storage underground Credit Flickr/Martin_vmorris |
Sigurdur Gislason from the University of Iceland has been studying the possibility of sequestering carbon dioxide in this way. His project involves capturing and separating flue gases at the Hellisheidi Geothermal Power Plant, transporting the gas and dissolving it in water. It will then be injected at high pressures into a thick layer of basalt.
“Carbon dioxide mixed with water forms carbonic acid (also known as carbonated or soda water), which percolates through the rocks, dissolving some minerals and forming solid carbonates with them, thereby storing the carbon dioxide in rock form,” said Gislason.
Gislason and his colleagues will then verify and monitor the storage; if successful the experiment will be scaled up and used where ever carbon dioxide is emitted.
Carbon dioxide is currently captured as a by-product in processes like petroleum refining and can be stored in reservoirs, ocean water and mature oilfields but experts fear it may leak over time. Storing carbon dioxide as solid magnesium or calcium carbonates deep underground may provide a long-term and thermodynamically stable solution.
