WS-CRDS for Monitoring CO2 Sequestration Sites
Sequestration is an emerging solution being developed to potentially lower the net CO2 emissions from power plants powered by fossil fuels, as well as other large non-mobile sources of CO2, including petrochemical plants. The CO2 is chemically and/or biologically trapped by transforming it into a non-volatile chemical. Sequestration refers to the permanent storage of this chemical material in subsurface wells, saline aquifers, reservoirs, ocean water, or other sinks. These sequestration sites require monitoring for CO2 leakage at the pilot stage and also for long-term health and safety compliance monitoring. Picarro WS-CRDS analyzers are perfect for this application because they can monitor the CO2 level in real time while also providing the key isotope information δ13C that can identify the source type of any increased level of CO2 that is detected. They are among the only portable instruments that can make this type of measurement on site. In addition, the same instrument can be used in a reference laboratory, as a portable analyzer or as an unmanned remote monitoring station.