Basic Research Needs for Geosciences - Energetics Meetings and ...

APPENDIX 1: TECHNICAL PERSPECTIVES RESOURCE DOCUMENTin geological formations. Many applications exist that serve investigators studying geologicalcarbon sequestration, and preliminary code inter-comparisons have produced generally similarresults (Pruess et al. 2004). Several codes now attempt to integrate hydrodynamic, geochemical,and geomechanical processes (e.g., Johnson et al. 2005; Rutqvist et al. 2006). It is widelyconsidered that current simulation capabilities cannot render simultaneously all of the keyprocesses and heterogeneities at relevant length and temporal scales (MIT 2007).Some of the simulation limitations are due to limitations in key inputs both throughout aformation, and in local areas within formations (e.g., uncertainties in reservoir properties,chemical kinetics, and mechanical response). These research needs are identified above. Otherconcerns include:1. Quantification and propagation of reservoir parameter uncertainties2. Incorporation of low-probability, high impact events3. Comprehensive system level simulation, e.g., multiple simultaneous injections with bothnear-field and far-field effects4. Rapid incorporation of monitoring data and other deterministic information into sequentialmodelsMathematical and computational challenges are substantial, since geological carbonsequestration involves multi-scale, multi-phase, and multi-temporal systems involving coupledflow, reactive transport, and geomechanical processes. Ultimately, validation of complexreactive transport models will play a critical role in both scientific verification and publicacceptance of carbon capture and storage technology.Mitigation and active reservoir managementVery little research has focused on effective mitigation options for problems should they appear.Although operators now have a handful of mitigation options (Benson and Cook 2005), they mayface new challenges requiring novel mitigation approaches, techniques, and materials (DOE2006b). Some of these concerns and risks can potentially be mitigated through active reservoirmanagement, e.g., circulating brines in situ (Keith et al. 2004) or depleting water volumes duringinjection. There is substantial room to investigate novel physical, chemical, biological, orreservoir engineering approaches to risk reduction and hazard management.TECHNOLOGY AND APPLIED RESEARCH AND DESIGN NEEDSFOR NUCLEAR WASTE GEOLOGIC DISPOSALINTRODUCTIONNuclear fission is a carbon-free source for the production of electrical energy. In addition topotentially meeting a significant fraction of the world energy demand, nuclear energy can be acritical source of energy for the production of transportation fuels (hydrogen and synthetic fuels)and desalinated water. For nuclear energy to be more generally acceptable as a long-term energysolution, several requirements must be met. These include widely accepted safety and efficiencystandards, proliferation resistance, sound nuclear materials management, and minimalenvironmental impacts (greenhouse gas emissions and nuclear waste products).Basic Research Needs for Geosciences: Facilitating 21 st Century Energy Systems Appendix 1 • 23