A PLACE TO PUT CARBON

Like the proverbial "place in the sun," the place to put carbon is something many are looking for and some think they have found but there is still much doubt and disagreement.

Carbon Dioxide Storage: Coal Suitable For Filtering Carbon Dioxide
April 13, 2007 (Science Daily)

WHO
Dutch researcher Saikat Mazumder, funded by Holland’s NWO/SenterNovem Stimulation Programme Energy Research

WHAT
The ‘Enhanced Coalbed Methane process’ in which carbon dioxide is stored in underground coal beds and natural gas (methane) is produced in the process.

WHEN
This is a recently published doctoral dissertation.

WHERE
The research identifies characteristics of generic coal beds.

WHY
The identification of safe sequestration sites for greenhouse gases, especially carbon dioxide, facilitates the emergence of “clean coal” technologies. Muzumder’s research did CT scans of the coal beds which suggest CO2 can be stored in the “seams” of the rock where the coal will “filter” the acidic gases, producing natural gas. Further experimentation validated the hypotheses. Finally, the research ascertained limitations to containment by the coal beds due to “swelling” which would occur when the rock is “saturated’ enough to affect porosity and permeability.

QUOTES
“Carbon dioxide storage in the ground is being considered increasingly more often in order to realise the climate and energy objectives. Dutch researcher Saikat Mazumder made it possible to better predict routes of the 'underground highways' along which gasses like carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) will move. Moreover, coal was found to be highly suitable for filtering carbon dioxide out of waste gasses and storing it…”