CCUS System – Interactive graphic
Navigate through the graphic by using the legend. Hover over each star and click to learn more about each element
Power Plant
Capturing CO2 from the waste stream of power plants and other energy-intensive industries is a crucial step in the journey towards decreasing the amount of CO2 released into the atmosphere and a more sustainable climate future. At CO2 point sources, the removal of the CO2 is more cost effective and efficient. There are numerous methods for removing CO2 from the waste stream (gas phase separation, absorption/membrane separation, absorption onto a solid, absorption into a liquid,and others). Most of the technologies are functional at some level, but large-scale deployment continues to be improved.
To efficiently transport the captured CO2, a network of pipelines, both above ground as well as underground, is utilized. This ensures the safe delivery of CO2 to the injection well. Here, at these strategic locations, the captured CO2 is prepared for its next crucial phase – injection deep into reservoirs that are typically 2,500 feet or more below the earth’s surface. These geological formations, once repositories for saline pore fluids or valuable fossil fuels, now offer a perfect site for long-term CO2 storage. These processes contribute significantly to the advancement of Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) technologies and mark a significant milestone in our collective effort to combat global climate change.
Power Plant
Capturing CO2 from the waste stream of power plants and other energy-intensive industries is a crucial step in the journey towards decreasing the amount of CO2 released into the atmosphere and a more sustainable climate future. At CO2 point sources, the removal of the CO2 is more cost effective and efficient. There are numerous methods for removing CO2 from the waste stream (gas phase separation, absorption/membrane separation, absorption onto a solid, absorption into a liquid,and others). Most of the technologies are functional at some level, but large-scale deployment continues to be improved.
To efficiently transport the captured CO2, a network of pipelines, both above ground as well as underground, is utilized. This ensures the safe delivery of CO2 to the injection well. Here, at these strategic locations, the captured CO2 is prepared for its next crucial phase – injection deep into reservoirs that are typically 2,500 feet or more below the earth’s surface. These geological formations, once repositories for saline pore fluids or valuable fossil fuels, now offer a perfect site for long-term CO2 storage. These processes contribute significantly to the advancement of Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) technologies and mark a significant milestone in our collective effort to combat global climate change.
Boat transportation
Transporting CO2 by boat, also known as marine CO2 transport, is another potential method to transport for Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) projects. Once CO2 is captured from industrial sources or power plants, it needs to be safely and efficiently transported to storage sites or other utilization facilities. Shipping CO2 by boat offers several advantages, especially when the source and storage sites are located near water bodies or across long distances. Specially designed vessels can carry large quantities of compressed or liquefied CO2 in secure tanks. This method enables the movement of CO2 from emission-intensive regions to areas with suitable geological formations for storage, fostering international collaborations for a collective effort in reducing global carbon emissions. By utilizing marine transportation for CO2, CCUS projects can make a significant contribution to mitigating climate change and creating a more sustainable future for our planet.
On-Land Transportation
On-land transportation of captured CO2, facilitated by the use of tanker trucks, constitutes another transportation link in the Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) process. Tanker trucks, designed to meet stringent safety and efficiency standards, securely transport CO2. These trucks navigate a well-orchestrated network of roads, delivering the captured CO2 to injection wells. On-land transportation represents a bridge between carbon capture and its subsequent utilization or storage.
Academia/Research Institutions
New Mexico Tech proudly stands as the leading university of the Carbon Utilization and Storage Partnership (CUSP) project. With an unwavering commitment to cutting-edge research and innovation, New Mexico Tech has taken the forefront in driving the objectives of CUSP forward. The institution's multidisciplinary expertise, state-of-the-art research facilities, and collaborative culture have set it apart as a trailblazer in pioneering carbon capture, utilization, and storage solutions. Through its groundbreaking research initiatives, New Mexico Tech not only addresses the pressing challenges of carbon emissions but also actively contributes to advancing sustainable technologies that promise to reshape our approach to environmental conservation and energy sustainability. As the lead of CUSP, New Mexico Tech leads the charge towards a greener and more sustainable future.
Injection well
Multiple generations of cement filling fractures in a rock with different cement fills. Ranging from bladed quartz (white to black) to coarsely crystalline calcite (pink). Cross-polarized light. Scale bar = 0.26 mm
Permeability: The property or capacity of a porous rock or sediment to transmit a fluid. It is a quantifiable measure of the relative ease of fluid flow under unequal pressure.
Injection wells are vital components of the Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) process, serving as the gateway to safely and securely store captured CO2 long term deep underground. These specialized wells go through an extensive permitting process and are highly regulated to insure the safety of the injection reservoirs and to make sure there are few impacts on the environment. For example, permitted wells must demonstrate that they will not harmfully impact local drinking water sources, and the materials used to construct the well must resist corrosion by the CO2 so that after 50+ years there is no chance of leakage along the well borehole.
At the injection well site, the CO2 is meticulously controlled during injection into the subsurface. The CO2 is sent deep (normally >2,500 feet or deeper) into geological formations, such as saline reservoirs or depleted oil/gas reservoirs. During the permitting process, the well has to be evaluated for both the ability to hold the specified amount of CO2 within porous and permeable reservoirs as well as the over- and underlying low porosity and permeability seals must prevent movement of the CO2 out of the reservoir. The seals are extremely important since they ensure that the CO2 is securely locked away for long-term storage. Injection wells not only facilitate the reduction of carbon emissions but also represent a tangible commitment to advancing sustainable and environmentally responsible practices. Once injection ceases at a site, the surrounding area continues to be monitored to make certain that the CO2 remains securely sequestered in the reservoir.
Injection Well
These partially filled fractures (white - cement, blue - porosity) are permeability conduits for moving pore fluids through this otherwise low porosity carbonate rock. Plane-polarized light. Long axis = 16 mm.
Injection wells are vital components of the Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) process, serving as the gateway to safely and securely store captured CO2 long term deep underground. These specialized wells go through an extensive permitting process and are highly regulated to insure the safety of the injection reservoirs and to make sure there are few impacts on the environment. For example, permitted wells must demonstrate that they will not harmfully impact local drinking water sources, and the materials used to construct the well must resist corrosion by the CO2 so that after 50+ years there is no chance of leakage along the well borehole.
At the injection well site, the CO2 is meticulously controlled during injection into the subsurface. The CO2 is sent deep (normally >2,500 feet or deeper) into geological formations, such as saline reservoirs or depleted oil/gas reservoirs. During the permitting process, the well has to be evaluated for both the ability to hold the specified amount of CO2 within porous and permeable reservoirs as well as the over- and underlying low porosity and permeability seals must prevent movement of the CO2 out of the reservoir. The seals are extremely important since they ensure that the CO2 is securely locked away for long-term storage. Injection wells not only facilitate the reduction of carbon emissions but also represent a tangible commitment to advancing sustainable and environmentally responsible practices. Once injection ceases at a site, the surrounding area continues to be monitored to make certain that the CO2 remains securely sequestered in the reservoir.
Secondary Seal
An impermeable carbonate mudstone with pressure solution seams that concentrate insolubles (dark colored seams). While this rock has no porosity or fracturing, these types of insoluble-rich seams provide additional barriers to fluid flow. Their impacts can be important within both reservoirs and seals. Plane-polarized light. Scale bar = .0.51mm.
A secondary seal plays a pivotal role in enhancing the integrity and safety of CO2 storage sites. A secondary seal serves as an additional layer of protection, complementing the primary caprock within geological storage formations. It functions as a backup, offering an extra shield against potential CO2 leakage from the reservoir. Typically composed of impermeable materials such as clay-rich layers or engineered barriers, this secondary seal prevents the upward migration of CO2 and other fluids. This dual-sealing approach is a crucial safety feature in CCUS operations, providing added assurance in the containment and storage of captured carbon dioxide.
Primary Seal
An impermeable siltstone/shale - the lack of porosity and compaction makes this rock an excellent seal candidate. Plane-polarized light. Scale bar = .0.51mm.
Fractures: Due to stresses during a rock’s burial, a 3-D crack or break in a rock. Fractures can provide a pathway for fluid migration (permeability) if they are not sealed by later cements.
The primary seal's job is to ensure the integrity of CO2 storage sites. This essential seal is typically composed of impermeable geological formations, such as dense shale or low-permeability rock layers. The choice of these specific rock types as primary seals is deliberate, as they possess unique properties that make them ideal candidates for the task. Impermeable shale and dense rock formations are characterized by their extremely low permeability, which means they have minimal pore spaces or fractures that would allow the upward migration of CO2 or other fluids. This inherent impermeability creates an effective barrier, preventing the escape of captured CO2 into the surrounding geological strata. Thus, the primary seal, made from these rock types, serves as a sturdy and reliable containment mechanism, providing a secure and stable environment for long-term CO2 storage within CCUS operations.
Saline formations
Storing CO2 in formations saturated by saline brines stands as another possible storage solution within the realm of Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS). These subterranean reservoirs offer a compelling solution for effectively sequestering CO2 and provide potential storage opportunities not associated with oil and gas operations. Saline aquifers have naturally impermeable caprocks, otherwise the brine would have migrated out of the system. The salinity levels (>10,000 mg/l TDS) render the water unfit for human or agricultural use without very costly and energy intensive desalinization. These types of reservoirs provide ideal targets for captured CO2. As CO2 is injected, it becomes trapped within these geologically stable formations, safeguarded from release into the atmosphere.
Depleted Hydrocarbon Reservoirs
A moderately well sorted eolian sandstone with excellent intergranular porosity (38%, pink colored epoxy). Because the sand grains appear to be floating in this image, this rock also has excellent permeability and would be a fantastic CO2 reservoir. Plane-polarized light. Scale bar = 0.26 mm.
Depleted oil and gas reservoirs are also excellent potential sites for storing CO2, primarily because they are known and probably well understood reservoirs due to the hydrocarbon resources that once existed in these rocks. These reservoirs are typically composed of porous rock formations, such as sandstone or limestone. Because of their higher than normal porosity and permeability, they offer substantial storage capacity for CO2 and allow for efficient injection and secure containment. The CO2 injected into these reservoirs becomes trapped within the intricate matrix of rock, unable to migrate upwards due to the seal’s impermeable nature. This combination of porous reservoirs and impermeable seals ensures that the stored CO2 remains securely sequestered within the depleted hydrocarbon reservoir, making it an ideal solution for long-term carbon storage. To ensure the safety of this type of sequestration, the permitting process assesses stability of nearby wells to make certain that the CO2 can not find other pathways out of the reservoir.
Bottom Seal
The bottom seal serves the role of making certain that the CO2 can not migrate downward and out of the reservoir. Like the primary and secondary seals, the bottom seal consists of rocks with low permeability and porosity, thus preventing leakage of CO2. Both upper and lower seals are necessary to contain the injected CO2.
Pipelines
CO2 undergoes a careful process of capture and purification before it can be efficiently transported through pipelines to injection wells. Once separated and purified, the captured CO2 is pressurized and directed into pipelines that link power plants to injection well sites. These pipelines, whether underground or above ground, are thoughtfully engineered to handle the high pressures and specific requirements of transporting CO2 safely over distances. This comprehensive pipeline network plays a pivotal role in reducing carbon emissions by enabling the secure and efficient movement of captured CO2 from power plants to injection wells.
