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Field‑Deployable Gas Analyzer for MMV Applications--Los Gatos Research, 67 East Evelyn Avenue, Suite 3, Mountain View, CA 94041; 650‑965‑7772; www.lgrinc.com

Dr. Anthony O'Keefe, Principal Investigator; a.okeefe@lgrinc.com

Dr. Douglas Baer, Business Official; d.baer@lgrinc.com

DOE Grant No. DE‑FG02‑06ER84606

Amount: $728,099

In response to recent evidence confirming that anthropogenic CO₂ emissions are disturbing the natural carbon cycle and resulting in global warming, DOE has pioneered a Carbon Sequestration Program to capture and store CO₂ and other greenhouse gas emissions in geological sites. However, despite initial research that suggested leakage rates would be low, there have been no definite long-term studies. A recent review of carbon sequestration has identified monitoring, mitigation, and verification (MMV) as a critical component of future activities. MMV instrumentation must be highly sensitive (< 0.5 ppm CO₂), capable of covering a broad area (> 15 square miles), and able to distinguish between leakage of stored CO₂ and natural, biological CO₂ fluctuations. This project will employ a patented Off-Axis Integrated Cavity Output Spectroscopy technology to develop a field-portable gas analyzer for carbon sequestration MMV applications. The instrument – which will provide in-situ, highly accurate quantification of CO₂ concentration (< 0.5 ppmv), isotope ratio (δ13C < 1.0 ‰), and CH₄ concentration, without calibration – will be capable of monitoring surface leaks above geological formations and distinguishing between biogenic and injected carbon sources. Phase I fabricated a carbon isotope ratiometer that accurately measured δ13C to better than 1.0 ‰ and CO₂ concentration to better than 0.5 ppmv after only 100 seconds of measurement time. Moreover, the instrument maintained this high specification over a wide CO₂ range (from 300 – 6000 ppmv). In Phase II, three complete gas analyzer systems – capable of quantifying the carbon isotope ratio (13C/12C) of CO₂, the concentration of CO₂, and the concentration of CH₄ at ambient and subsurface levels – will be developed. After thorough testing, the instruments will be deployed and evaluated at a DOE Carbon Sequestration Field Site and at a biological natural carbon sequestration site.

Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: The carbon isotope ratiometer should find applicability in a variety of markets, including environmental research, industrial process control, and medical diagnostics. Preliminary estimates suggest annual revenue exceeding $3M/year by 2012.