Colorado Ground Water Association’s September 2010 Meeting

Wednesday, September 15, 2010 12:00 NOON

The presentation will be held at the Offices of Leonard Rice Engineers, 2000 Clay Street, Denver 80211. view map

Potential Environmental Implications of Geologic Carbon Storage

Andrew Horn, M.S., P.G.

Abstract:

Geologic carbon storage (GCS) is expected to be a cornerstone of “clean coal” technology and key to reducing carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from large point-sources. Large-scale GCS testing is planned for the near future and billions of dollars are being spent globally to develop or improve an array of carbon capture and sequestration technologies. A commercial scale project for a typical Colorado coal-fired power plant would inject about 5000 gpm of supercritical CO₂ into the geologic reservoir over a 50-year project life. Pressure impacts could encompass approximately 8000 square-miles, force brines into drinking water aquifers or cause earthquakes.  Supercritical CO₂ is highly mobile, very buoyant and an effective solvent capable of mobilizing organic compounds from rock strata. When dissolved in water CO₂ lowers pH and could mobilize heavy metals from reservoir materials or compromise integrity of the reservoir rock or overlying strata by dissolving cements.  Once injected, CO₂ must be contained for a period of hundreds to thousands of years to effectively mitigate climate change.  Potential GCS reservoir leakage pathways include faults, fractures, bedding plane partings, improperly abandoned wells and up-dip migration from the reservoir. For a GCS project to be successful proper hydrogeologic characterization, reservoir siting, monitoring and mitigation will be critical.

Speaker Bio:

Andrew Horn, M.S., P.G., has over 15 years experience as a hydrogeologist performing environmental and water resource consulting to industry and governmental clients. He has designed, implemented, and reported field investigations for small- to regional-scale groundwater resource assessments, and for hazardous waste sites / facilities including US EPA Superfund, manufacturing and chemical storage & distribution. Mr. Horn’s areas of expertise include field data collection program design and management, data analysis and reporting and presentation of results. He has worked on a variety of projects across the United States from Cape Cod to Los Angeles. Mr. Horn earned his B.S. from the University of Alabama and his M.S. from the University of Colorado. 

Reservations by 10 am Tuesday, September 14. Please indicate your sandwich preference - deli meat, tuna salad, or vegetarian. The cost of lunch is $10 (payable with cash or check at the door).

Reply by E-mail: RSVP@coloradogroundwater.org

Please feel free to forward this message to your associates who you think might be interested in attending.