• Journal of the Korean Society for Marine Environment & Energy
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.94-101
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• 2015

To mitigate the greenhouse gas emission, many carbon capture and storage projects are underway all over the world. In Korea, many studies focus on the storage of $CO_2$ in the offshore sediment. Assurance of safety is one of the most important issues in the geological storage of $CO_2$. Especially, the assessment of possibility of leakage and amount of leaked $CO_2$ is very crucial to analyze the safety of marine geological storage of $CO_2$. In this study, the leakage of injected $CO_2$ through fault was numerically studied. TOUGH2-MP ECO2N was used to simulate the subsurface behavior of injected $CO_2$. The storage site was 150 m thick saline aquifer located 825 m under the continental shelf. It was assumed that $CO_2$ leak was happened through the fault located 1,000 m away from the injection well. The injected $CO_2$ could migrate through the aquifer by both pressure difference driven by injection and buoyancy force. The enough pressure differences made it possible the $CO_2$ to migrate to the bottom of the fault. The $CO_2$ could be leaked to seabed through the fault due to the buoyancy force. Prior to leakage of the injected $CO_2$, the formation water leaked to seabed. When $CO_2$ reached the seabed, leakage of formation water stopped but the same amount of sea water starts to flow into the underground as the amount of leaked $CO_2$. To analyze the effect of injection rate on the leakage behavior, the injection rate of $CO_2$ was varied as 0.5, 0.75, and $1MtCO_2/year$. The starting times of leakage at 1, 0.75 and $0.5MtCO_2/year$ injection rates are 11.3, 15.6 and 23.2 years after the injection, respectively. The leakage of $CO_2$ to the seabed continued for a period time after the end of $CO_2$ injection. The ratios of total leaked $CO_2$ to total injected $CO_2$ at 1, 0.75 and $0.5MtCO_2/year$ injection rates are 19.5%, 11.5% and 2.8%, respectively.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.93-104
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• 2017

CCS (Carbon Capture and Storage) is a technical process to capture $CO_2$ from industrial and energy-based sources, to transfer and sequestrate impressed $CO_2$ in geological formations, oceans, or mineral carbonates. However, potential $CO_2$ leakage exists and causes environmental problems. Thus, this study was conducted to analyze the spatial and temporal variations of $CO_2$ fluxes and concentrations after artificial $CO_2$ release. The Environmental Impact Evaluation Test Facility (EIT) was built in Eumseong, Korea in 2015. Approximately 34kg $CO_2$ /day/zone were injected at Zones 2, 3, and 4 among the total of 5 zones from October 26 to 30, 2015. $CO_2$ fluxes were measured every 30 minutes at the surface at 0m, 1.5m, 2.5m, and 10m from the $CO_2$ releasing well using LI-8100A until November 13, 2015, and $CO_2$ concentrations were measured once a day at 15cm, 30cm, and 60cm depths at every 0m, 1.5m, 2.5m, 5m, and 10m from the well using GA5000 until November 28, 2015. $CO_2$ flux at 0m from the well started increasing on the fifth day after $CO_2$ release started, and continued to increase until November 13 even though the artificial $CO_2$ release stopped. $CO_2$ fluxes measured at 2.5m, 5.0m, and 10m from the well were not significantly different with each other. On the other hand, soil $CO_2$ concentration was shown as 38.4% at 60cm depth at 0m from the well in Zone 3 on the next day after $CO_2$ release started. Soil $CO_2$ was horizontally spreaded overtime, and detected up to 5m away from the well in all zones until $CO_2$ release stopped. Also, soil $CO_2$ concentrations at 30cm and 60cm depths at 0m from the well were measured similarly as $50.6{\pm}25.4%$ and $55.3{\pm}25.6%$, respectively, followed by 30cm depth ($31.3{\pm}17.2%$) which was significantly lower than those measured at the other depths on the final day of $CO_2$ release period. Soil $CO_2$ concentrations at all depths in all zones were gradually decreased for about 1 month after $CO_2$ release stopped, but still higher than those of the first day after $CO_2$ release stared. In conclusion, the closer the distance from the well and the deeper the depth, the higher $CO_2$ fluxes and concentrations occurred. Also, long-term monitoring should be required because the leaked $CO_2$ gas can remains in the soil for a long time even if the leakage stopped.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.359-370
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• 2010

$CO_2$ leakage from a geological formation utilized for $CO_2$ storage could result in failure of the facility and threaten the environment, as well as human safety and health. A reactive transport model of a $CO_2-H_2O$-cement reaction was constructed to understand chemical changes in the case of $CO_2$ leakage through a cement crack in an injection well, which is the most probable leakage pathway during geological storage. The model results showed the dissolution of portlandite and CSH (calcium silicate hydrate) within the cement paste, and the precipitation of secondary CSH and calcite as the $CO_2$ plume migrated along the crack. Calcite occupied most of the crack after 3 year of reaction, which could be maintained until 30 years after crack development. The present results could be applied in the development of technology to prevent $CO_2$ leakage and to enhance the integrity of wells constructed for $CO_2$ geological storage.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.217-246
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• 2018

During the selection and characterization of target formations in the Small-scale Offshore $CO_2$ Storage Demonstration Project in the Pohang Basin, we have carefully investigated the possibility of induced earthquakes and leakage of $CO_2$ during the injection, and have designed the storage processes to minimize these effects. However, people in Pohang city have a great concern on $CO_2$-injection-intrigued seismicity, since they have greatly suffered from the 5.4 magnitude earthquake on Nov. 15, 2017. The research team of the project performed an extensive self-investigation on the safety issues, especially on the possible $CO_2$ leakage from the target formation and induced earthquakes. The target formation is 10 km apart from the epicenter of the Pohang earthquake and the depth is also quite shallow, only 750 to 800 m from the sea bottom. The project performed a pilot injection in the target formation from Jan. 12 to Mar. 12, 2017, which implies that there are no direct correlation of the Pohang earthquake on Nov. 15, 2017. In addition, the $CO_2$ injection of the storage project does not fracture rock formations, instead, the supercritical $CO_2$ fluid replaces formation water in the pore space gradually. The self-investigation results show that there is almost no chance for the injection to induce significant earthquakes unless injection lasts for a very long time to build a very high pore pressure, which can be easily monitored. The amount of injected $CO_2$ in the project was around 100 metric-tonne that is irrelevant to the Pohang earthquake. The investigation result on long-term safety also shows that the induced earthquakes or the reactivation of existing faults can be prevented successfully when the injection pressure is controlled not to demage cap-rock formation nor exceed Coulomb stresses of existing faults. The project has been performing extensive studies on critical stress for fracturing neighboring formations, reactivation stress of existing faults, well-completion processes to minimize possible leakage, transport/leakage monitoring of injected $CO_2$, and operation procedures for ensuring the storage safety. These extensive studies showed that there will be little chance in $CO_2$ leakage that affects human life. In conclusion, the Small-scale Offshore $CO_2$ Storage Demonstration Project in the Pohang Basin would not cause any induced earthquakes nor signifiant $CO_2$ leakage that people can sense. The research team will give every effort to secure the safety of the storage site.

• Journal of Advanced Marine Engineering and Technology
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• v.38 no.9
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• pp.1163-1169
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• 2014

As a preliminary study for detection techniques of $CO_2$ gas bubble plumes, we have conducted a comparative experiment on artificially generated $CO_2$ gas bubbles plume by using multibeam echosounder (MBES), single beam echosounder (SBES), and sub-bottom profiler (SBP). The rising speed of artificial gas bubbles is higher than references because of compulsory release of compressed gas in the tank. Compared to single beam acoustic equipments, the MBES detects wide swath coverage. It provides exact determination of the source position and 3D information on the gas bubble plumes in the water column. Therefore, it is shown that MBES can distinctly detect gas bubble plumes compared to single beam acoustic equipments. We can establish more effective complementary detection technique by simultaneous operation of MBES and SBES. Consequently, it contributes to improve qualitative and quantitative detection techniques by understanding the acoustic characteristics of the specific gas bubbles.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.69-79
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• 2018

The Korean government attempts to reduce $CO_2$ emissions by 37% to 314.7 Mt $CO_2$, down from the estimated 850.6 Mt $CO_2$ until 2030 in order to confront green house effect. In this context, in 2014, Korean government launched $CO_2$ Storage Environmental Management Research (K-COSEM) Center for carrying out pilot-scale research on $CO_2$ leakage from underground $CO_2$ storage facilities. For the detection of $CO_2$ leakage, it is necessary to identify hydrologeological and geophysical characteristics of the subject area. In the study site of Naesan-ri, Daeso-myeon, Eumseong-gun, Chungbuk Province, two times injection tests (June 28-July 24, 2017 and August 07-September 11, 2017) of $CO_2$ and $SF_6$ dissolved waters, respectively, was conducted to understand the leakage behavior of $CO_2$ from underground. The injection well was drilled to a depth of 24 m with a 21-m casing and screen interval of 21~24 m depth. Two times resistivity surveys on August 18, 2017 and September 1, 2017, were conducted for revealing the flow of the injected water as well as the electrical properties of the study site. The study results have shown that the high-resistivity zone and the low-resistivity zone are clearly contrasted with each other and the flow direction of the injected water is similar to natural groundwater flow. Besides, the low resistivity zone is widely formed from the depth of injection to the shallow topsoil, indicating that the weathered zone of high permeability has high $CO_2$ leakage potential.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.107 no.4
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• pp.351-360
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• 2018

This study was conducted to analyze the responses of chlorophyll contents and growth of Pinus densiflora and Quercus variabilis seedlings on distance from the well and $CO_2$ flux after the artificial $CO_2$ release. From June 1 to 30, 2016, $CO_2$ gas was injected at the rate of $6L\;min^{-1}$ at the study site in Eumseong. Chlorophyll content was analyzed in the middle of July, 2016, and root collar diameter (RCD), height (H), and biomass were measured in May and December, 2016 after planting 2-year-old P. densiflora and 1-year-old Q. variabilis seedlings in May, 2015. The chlorophyll content of P. densiflora seedlings did not show a significant correlation with $CO_2$ flux, whereas the chlorophyll content of Q. variabilis seedlings showed a significant negative correlation with increasing $CO_2$ flux (P<0.05). The RCD and H growth rates of both species showed the significant difference in the distance from the well of the $CO_2$ anthropogenic release treatment. In particular, the RCD and H growth rate of P. densiflora seedlings and the RCD growth rate of Q. variabilis seedlings increased significantly as the seedlings were closer to the well, but the H growth rate of Q. variabilis seedlings decreased significantly. In addition, as the $CO_2$ concentration in the ground increases, ${\Delta}R/S$ ratio increases in both species, suggesting that the high $CO_2$ concentration in the soil promotes carbon distribution relative to the root part. The results of this study can be used as data necessary to monitor the $CO_2$ leakage and physiological and growth responses of both species to leakage of stored $CO_2$ in the future.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.50 no.5
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• pp.363-373
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• 2017

In the present study, adaptability of cyber-physical system (CPS) for risk management of $CO_2$ storage site is examined and the subagging regression (SBR) method is proposed as a key component of the cyber-twin to estimate the risk due to potential $CO_2$ leakage. For these purposes, $CO_2$ concentration data monitored from a controlled $CO_2$ release field experiment is employed to validate the potentialities of the SBR method. From the validation study, it is found that the SBR method has robust estimation capability by showing minimal influence from anomalous measurements, and makes stable and sound predictions for the forthcoming $CO_2$ concentration trend. In addition, the method is found to be well suited as a tool of operational risk assessment based on real-time monitoring data due to the computational efficiency. The overall results suggest that the SBR method has potential to be an important component comprising the cyber twin of CPS for risk management of $CO_2$ storage site.

• Proceedings of the KIEE Conference
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• 2003.07d
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• pp.2687-2689
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• 2003

국내 LNG/LPG 누출을 관리할 수 있는 유무선 복합 종합관리시스템을 개발하였다. 이 시스템은 무선가스누출 탐지 및 제어부, 유선가스누출 탐지 및 제어부, 종합관리 시스템부로 구성되며, 특징으로는 무선가스누설 제어부 : 통신속도 1200bps, 유선가스누설 제어부 : 내부통신속도 9600 bps, IEEE 802 양방향 통신 방식, 최대전송속도 25 Mbps, 군 관리기능(server to server). 자체진단기능 등이다. 본 시스템을 가스공사 연구개발원 내에 운영되고 있는 CNG 및 LCNG 충전에 설치 운영하여 성능시험을 거친 결과, 현재까지 기존의 외국제품과 동등한 성능을 보이고 있으며 단가면에서도 2/3정도로 경쟁력을 가지고 있다. 보다 장기적인 현장적용 시험을 통해 성능 및 장기안정성 등이 확립되면 국내시장뿐만 아니라 수출을 통한 국제시장 점유도 기대할 수 있을 것이다.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.277-281
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• 2012

This work is concerned with a plan for preventing accidents of CO gas leak from gas boilers, involving the enforcement of installations of both CO alarm system and condensing boilers, and financial support of government grants. If amongst 1,460,000 beneficiaries of basic livelihood security, one million households in use of gas boilers receive 3-year support of 200,000 won, the difference of prices between common and condensing boilers, the government grants would be 2,000 billion won. If 3 million common householders are in 3-year support of 100,000 won, government grants would be 3,000 billion won. Therefore, 3-year grand total of government grants would be 5,000 billion won. Finance for government grants can be purveyed from energy saving; yearly 2,000 billion won of energy saving by enforcing to replace one million existing boilers with condensing boilers, leading to 2 trillion won of energy saving for 10 years. In this way, 6,000 billion won of 3-year grand total of government grants for CO alarm system and condensing boilers can be purveyed. The rest amount would be fundraised for energy savings. We claim that our proposal can make an achievement of more than 50% reduction of CO leak accidents during 10 years.