Researchers have developed a tool to enable continuous passive monitoring of CO2 stored deep below ground in the process known as Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS).
The work is led by Professor Jon Gluyas at Durham Energy Institute, Durham University in partnership with:
- Sheffield University
- University of Bath
- the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory
- NASA.
It is supported by:
- Science and Technology Facilities Council
- Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
- industry
- the UK government.
Muons
Every minute of every day a cosmic-ray muon passes through an area about the size of your fingernail.
The muons, sub-atomic particles about 200 times more massive than electrons, are created in the Earth’s upper atmosphere by cosmic rays from distant supernova colliding with nitrogen and oxygen atomic nuclei.
Extremely penetrative muons have been detected several kilometres below ground in deep mines.
The abundance of muons and their highly penetrative nature means they can be used to effectively x-ray the first few kilometres of the Earth’s crust.
Below ground monitoring
Current monitoring systems deep below ground have required signal generation and are episodic. The prototype detector was tested deep below the North Sea in Boulby Potash mine and the technology developed has led to the spin-out company Geoptic Limited being formed.
Professor Gluyas said:
Removing emissions of greenhouse gases by burying CO2 deep beneath the Earth is key process in the battle against climate change. Having geostored the CO2 it is then an imperative to demonstrate the CO2 remains in the store. Geoptic’s muon tomography monitoring tool allows just that, continuously and passively using naturally occurring cosmic-ray muons.
Geoptic has found other applications for the technology including surveying the integrity of Victorian railway infrastructure. Most recently Geoptic has signed a contract with subsurface contractor CGG to commercialise the CCS tool for deployment in the carbon storage sites which should see active CO2 injection within the next five years.
Last updated: 2 July 2021