Carbon Dioxide Sequestration in Unconventional Shale Reservoirs Via Physical Adsorption: An Experimental Investigation

Abstract

Abstract Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the main greenhouse gas contributing to environmental damage and global warming. It is emitted as a result of many processes, part of which is combustion of oil and gas. One of the methods by which CO2 emissions can be controlled or reduced is through CO2 sequestration processes. This research investigates the ability to store CO2 in shale reservoirs through adsorption and some of the factors impacting the adsorption capacity. CO2 adsorption was measured using the volumetric adsorption method using pulverized shale particles of uniform size. Initially, the void space in the shale-bearing cell was measured using helium. The void space is used in the CO2 adsorption calculations in order to account for the extra volume created when the shale core was pulverized. The effect of varying the CO2 pressure, temperature, and shale volume on the CO2 adsorption capacity was studied. Results showed that both pressure and temperature had a strong effect of CO2 adsorption, with an increase in pressure resulting in an increase in adsorption and an increase in temperature resulting in a decrease in adsorption. Altering the volume of the shale resulted in a change in adsorption as well due to an increase in error as the shale volume decreased relative to the vessel volume. This research provides insight on the impact of multiple factors on CO2 adsorption to shale particles thus illustrating the potential for CO2 storage in unconventional shale reservoirs.