National Academies Press: OpenBook
« Previous: 5 Novel Niches
Suggested Citation:"6 Crosscutting Issues." National Research Council. 2003. Novel Approaches to Carbon Management: Separation, Capture, Sequestration, and Conversion to Useful Products: Workshop Report. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/10699.
×

6
Crosscutting Issues

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL STRUCTURE AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT

In the course of the workshop, each subgroup addressed various issues of overall program management. This chapter of the report summarizes those discussions.

Although the purpose of the expanded DOE/FE program is to elicit novel concepts for carbon management and to reach more widely into the scientific community, the initial number of awards will be small and the initial funding for each project will also be small. The labor required for a full proposal may deter some of the very people DOE/FE desires to attract because of the low probability of success and the small stakes. DOE/FE could utilize a preproposal process, which invites a short, 3- to 5-page submission, followed by a limited invitation for full proposals. This process would have two benefits: (1) DOE/FE would receive more proposals with less early work required from researchers; and (2) DOE/FE may identify productive collaborations among preproposers that would not otherwise happen. Within DOE, both the Office of Science and Office of Environmental Management have used a preproposal process successfully.

The committee expects that DOE/FE will receive a range of proposals varying from specific technologies to systems concepts to fairly narrow exploratory research questions. To put them on a somewhat level playing field, it was noted that the request for proposals (RFPs) could require each full proposal to include a simple energy and materials balance analysis. Such an analysis would demonstrate that the proposer understands the larger technological context into which the project fits, even if it addresses initially a narrow but critical research question. This analysis needs to demonstrate that the scale of carbon sequestration achieved is commensurate with the problem, that the thermodynamics are real, and that there is some consideration of cost. The committee recognizes that some of the people DOE/FE wants to attract might not have the capacity to undertake this analysis on their own. The RFP could suggest collaborations with engineering groups, or DOE/FE could relax the rigor of this requirement in the first round. It might also consider establishing an internal DOE/FE group that could help proposers with this analysis.

The committee is also concerned about the postaward management of the program. The encouragement of communication among the awardees and other performers in the carbon sequestration program will be critical. DOE/FE could consider the establishment of annual sequestration review meetings that include presentations from the novel concept awardees. This would foster broader awareness of the new work but also facilitate collaborations that will advance both the novel concepts and the nearer-term projects.

The committee also notes that as the early awards mature, additional support may be necessary before investigators transition to other parts of the carbon sequestration program. In particular, exploratory research projects may transition to larger, multidisciplinary efforts requiring larger amounts of funding.

Suggested Citation:"6 Crosscutting Issues." National Research Council. 2003. Novel Approaches to Carbon Management: Separation, Capture, Sequestration, and Conversion to Useful Products: Workshop Report. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/10699.
×

CROSSCUTTING ANALYTICAL AND ENGINEERING ISSUES

A few subgroups identified crosscutting technical issues that were not carbon management ideas per se but rather engineering and analytical issues associated with long-term carbon storage. Three such issues are described below.

Monitoring and Containment Technologies Following Subsurface CO2 Sequestration

Once CO2 is sequestered in the subsurface by some means, it will be necessary to monitor the sequestered CO2 to determine whether leakage is occurring. By necessity, detection technologies must be low in both capital and operating costs, highly sensitive, and capable of monitoring large areas of Earth’s surface. The latter capability is essential, because the sequestered CO2 may be spread out over large areas of the subsurface.

Equally vital are technologies that will be able to heal leaks in the subsurface. Sequestration of CO2 may take different forms, ranging from storage in saline aquifers and deep subsurface coal beds to deep-ocean disposal methodologies; therefore, technologies to seal leaks must be diverse and effective in a range of subsurface environments.

CO2 is likely to be stored in a variety of forms, ranging from pressurized CO2 in subsurface environments to immobile mineralized forms. In some storage scenarios, the liquefied CO2 will seek cracks and fractures in the geologic formation, abandoned wells in depleted oil fields, wormholes in the deep-ocean sediment storage areas, or tears in such proposed storage methods as deep-sea bladders filled with CO2. Although catastrophic CO2 release is unlikely in most storage schemes, slow leakage is likely. These slow leaks not only must be identified but also must be effectively repaired to ensure secure storage of the carbon for long periods of time.

Technology Opportunities

Monitoring technology must be capable of detecting CO2 leaks through the existing atmosphere, on the terrestrial surface, on the ocean surface, and in the deep ocean. Technology concepts for monitoring could include such things as “tagging” the stored CO2 with an odorant such as hydrogen sulfide (H2S) or a mercaptan that could be detected by gas analyzers, radioactive isotopes that could be traced, or spectrally detected compounds such as sulfur hexafluoride (SF6). Hyperspectral satellite imagery or change-conditions technology in a global monitoring context may offer technical opportunities for monitoring. For deep-ocean disposal, such as in a pressurized bladder that resides on the deep-ocean floor, an array of pH meters to monitor changes in ocean water pH may be sufficient.

Highly effective sealing technologies that can be employed remotely in the deep subsurface environment or the deep ocean must be identified and engineered. Opportunities may exist in technological extensions to conventional grouting methods, new polymer sealants may be developed, or biofilms and other biological methods may be developed for selectively sealing leaks. Promising technological developments need to be tested for effectiveness as engineered barriers to CO2 mobilization.

Suggested Citation:"6 Crosscutting Issues." National Research Council. 2003. Novel Approaches to Carbon Management: Separation, Capture, Sequestration, and Conversion to Useful Products: Workshop Report. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/10699.
×

Subsurface Technologies: Risk Assessment

In the workshop discussions, it was suggested that DOE/FE request that each group or person submitting a proposal include a very introductory risk-benefit analysis of their research idea. This would then serve as the very beginning of a risk assessment for the concept. The preliminary risk assessment would provide context for considering the benefits of a carbon sequestration method.

Risk assessment, also known as total system performance assessment, could be utilized to estimate quantitatively the success of a subsurface carbon sequestration method. Risk assessments are based on conceptual models, which incorporate features, events, and processes that individually or in concert are judged capable of disrupting the ability of a sequestration system to contain CO2 (or other chemical form of sequestered carbon). Quantitative probabilities are assigned to the occurrence of various events (e.g., seismic activity) and processes (groundwater flow), and estimates are made of the associated consequence—the amount of CO2 released. Risk assessment can be used as a tool to develop a CO2 release standard—that is, a level of CO2 release that is judged safe and acceptable, taking into account distances from human populations and fate and transport of CO2, among other factors.

Risk assessment of subsurface CO2 containment systems can leverage the existing capability of risk assessment of underground disposal (e.g., of nuclear waste), so cost for the risk assessment is not likely to be a barrier. Implementation could be accomplished swiftly, and information could be made available to decision makers about the suite of subsurface carbon sequestration methods.

Research Opportunities

Research opportunities in the area of risk assessment are as follows:

  • Development of conceptual models and inventories of features, events, and processes;

  • Application of risk assessment methods to candidate sequestration ideas and candidate sequestration sites; and

  • Development of an environmental CO2 release standard.

Engineering Systems Analysis for Optimum CO2 Reduction or Sequestration

There is a major need for conceptual engineering analyses of novel process schemes as an adjunct to laboratory exploration of process elements. Early conceptual analysis for material and energy balance will provide for early screening of new technology concepts to ensure that fundamental physical laws have not been violated. These analyses would be specific to concepts developed for the niche technologies envisioned, as exploratory investigations advance.

Systems analysis, including preliminary cost analysis, would provide an opportunity to identify critical areas of accomplishment required for technical and/or economic success. While excessive use of such analysis can cripple innovation, its proper use can help identify and focus on the issues and needs that will ultimately affect success or failure.

Suggested Citation:"6 Crosscutting Issues." National Research Council. 2003. Novel Approaches to Carbon Management: Separation, Capture, Sequestration, and Conversion to Useful Products: Workshop Report. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/10699.
×
Research Opportunities

Research opportunities in the area of engineering systems analysis for optimum CO2 reduction or sequestration would include developing basic information and methodologies to evaluate and compare the following:

  1. Risk of human tragedy;

  2. Potential for a major, abrupt reversal;

  3. Magnitude of interaction with the environment;

  4. Degree of the environmental unknowns;

  5. Energy required per unit (per unit=per unit of CO2 emission reduced);

  6. CO2 disposed/CO2 processed;

  7. Materials to be disposed of per unit;

  8. Materials inputs required (e.g., nutrients) per unit;

  9. Capital cost per unit;

  10. Potential for continuous low-level leakage;

  11. Physical footprint per unit;

  12. Potential for remediation if/when a problem arises;

  13. Operating cost per unit;

  14. Potential for technology improvement;

  15. Time required to commercialize; and

  16. Total size of the opportunity.

Suggested Citation:"6 Crosscutting Issues." National Research Council. 2003. Novel Approaches to Carbon Management: Separation, Capture, Sequestration, and Conversion to Useful Products: Workshop Report. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/10699.
×
Page 26
Suggested Citation:"6 Crosscutting Issues." National Research Council. 2003. Novel Approaches to Carbon Management: Separation, Capture, Sequestration, and Conversion to Useful Products: Workshop Report. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/10699.
×
Page 27
Suggested Citation:"6 Crosscutting Issues." National Research Council. 2003. Novel Approaches to Carbon Management: Separation, Capture, Sequestration, and Conversion to Useful Products: Workshop Report. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/10699.
×
Page 28
Suggested Citation:"6 Crosscutting Issues." National Research Council. 2003. Novel Approaches to Carbon Management: Separation, Capture, Sequestration, and Conversion to Useful Products: Workshop Report. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/10699.
×
Page 29
Next: Appendix A: Workshop Participants »
Novel Approaches to Carbon Management: Separation, Capture, Sequestration, and Conversion to Useful Products: Workshop Report Get This Book
×
Buy Paperback | $29.00 Buy Ebook | $23.99
MyNAP members save 10% online.
Login or Register to save!
Download Free PDF

The National Research Council's (NRC's) Committee on Novel Approaches to the Management of Greenhouse Gases from Energy Systems held a workshop at the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Center in Irvine, California, on February 12-14, 2003, to identify promising lines of research that could lead to currently unforeseen breakthroughs in the management of carbon from energy systems. The information identified by participants in the workshop will be used by the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE's) Office of Fossil Energy (FE) to award grants for new research in carbon management.

During the workshop, invited participants from a variety of disciplines contributed their expertise and creativity to addressing the problem of carbon management. The ideas developed during the workshop were synthesized into this report by the committee, which oversaw the organization and execution of the workshop. However, this workshop summary does not contain any committee conclusions or recommendations, but simply reports on research areas that were identified as promising during the workshop discussions. The purpose of the workshop, as noted, was to identify novel approaches to the management of carbon from energy systems.

The workshop is part of a project conducted by the NRC for DOE's Office of Fossil Energy (DOE/FE). DOE/FE will consider the workshop report as it develops a solicitation to be issued in spring 2003. The solicitation will call for research proposals on enabling science and technology research on novel approaches for the management of carbon from energy systems.

Chapters 2 through 6 of this report summarize the most promising new ideas on carbon management identified by each of the four subgroups at the workshop. In the respective chapters, the ideas are described, their significance is explained, and research opportunities are listed. Each chapter includes a statement of the scientific and engineering challenges related to its topic. Chapter 6 includes crosscutting issues not specific to one of the four subgroups. The chapters themselves do not include detailed analysis regarding feasibility, energy and mass balance, and so forth, as the workshop's time and scope did not permit this; it is assumed such analyses will be carried out in the research proposals that DOE funds.

  1. ×

    Welcome to OpenBook!

    You're looking at OpenBook, NAP.edu's online reading room since 1999. Based on feedback from you, our users, we've made some improvements that make it easier than ever to read thousands of publications on our website.

    Do you want to take a quick tour of the OpenBook's features?

    No Thanks Take a Tour »
  2. ×

    Show this book's table of contents, where you can jump to any chapter by name.

    « Back Next »
  3. ×

    ...or use these buttons to go back to the previous chapter or skip to the next one.

    « Back Next »
  4. ×

    Jump up to the previous page or down to the next one. Also, you can type in a page number and press Enter to go directly to that page in the book.

    « Back Next »
  5. ×

    Switch between the Original Pages, where you can read the report as it appeared in print, and Text Pages for the web version, where you can highlight and search the text.

    « Back Next »
  6. ×

    To search the entire text of this book, type in your search term here and press Enter.

    « Back Next »
  7. ×

    Share a link to this book page on your preferred social network or via email.

    « Back Next »
  8. ×

    View our suggested citation for this chapter.

    « Back Next »
  9. ×

    Ready to take your reading offline? Click here to buy this book in print or download it as a free PDF, if available.

    « Back Next »
Stay Connected!