CO2 Sequestration in Unmineable Coal Seams: Potential Environmental Impacts

ABSTRACT: An initial investigation into the potential environmental impacts of CO2 sequestration in unmineable coal seams has been conducted, focusing on changes in the produced water during enhanced coalbed methane (ECBM) production using a CO2 injection process (CO2-ECBM). Two coals have been used in this study, the medium volatile bituminous Upper Freeport coal (APCS 1) of the Argonne Premium Coal Samples series, and an as-mined Pittsburgh #8 coal, which is a high volatile bituminous coal. Coal samples were reacted with either synthetic produced water or field collected produced water and gaseous carbon dioxide at 40 οC and 50 bar to evaluate the potential for mobilizing toxic metals during CO2-ECBM/sequestration. Microscopic and x-ray diffraction analysis of the post-reaction coal samples clearly show evidence of chemical reaction, and chemical analysis of the produced water shows substantial changes in composition. These results suggest that changes to the produced water chemistry and the potential for mobilizing toxic trace elements from coalbeds are important factors to be considered when evaluating deep, unmineable coal seams for CO2 sequestration

Sequestration of CO2 in Mixtures of Bauxite and Saline Waste Water

Batch and semi-batch experiments were conducted to assess feasibility of utilizing mixtures of caustic bauxite residue slurry and produced brine from the Oriskany sandstone formation to sequester CO2 • Bauxite residue/brine mixture of 90/10 by volume sequestered 9.5 g of CO2 per liter of mixture (100 psig of CO2 at 20 ºC) • Carbon trapping is accomplished primarily through solubilization • Solution of the product mixture was neutralized following carbonation • Flow-through carbonation at 25 ºC and 1 atm. demonstrates that carbonation rates are acceptable for proposed process application