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Early Remote Risk Assessment Survey Technology--Physical Optics Corporation, 20600 Gramercy Place, Bldg. 100, Torrance, CA 90501‑1821; 310‑320‑3088; www.poc.com

Dr. Sergey Sandomirsky, Principal Investigator, sutama@poc.com

Mr. Gordon E. Drew, Business Official, gdrew@poc.com

DOE Grant No. DE‑FG02‑06ER84613

Amount: $749,993

The Department of Energy is seeking development of risk assessment methodologies and simulation models to quantify and mitigate the accidental release of carbon dioxide and other noncarbon dioxide greenhouse gases from geologic formations. Current monitoring technologies cannot reveal concealed fractures in overburdened formations, which are the most probable path for carbon dioxide leaks. This project will develop an Early Remote Risk Assessment Survey Technology, which will identify potential zones of carbon dioxide leakage before geologic sequestration is initiated. The technology, based on differential absorption lidar, will measure multiple “geogases” (including methane, carbon dioxide, helium, argon, and hydrogen) to detect anomalies that can reveal potentially hazardous concealed zones of high permeability. In Phase I, a prototype differential absorption lidar was designed, assembled, and tested in laboratory conditions. Experiments demonstrated feasibility in detecting methane, argon, and carbon dioxide, individually and in mixtures. In Phase II, efforts will be concentrated on increasing the optical power of the laser light source; optimizing the receiving optics; designing a push-broom scanning mechanism; and developing geolocation, georegistration, and mapping software tools.

Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: When fully developed, the system should be able to identify, from an aircraft, surface geogas anomalies that indicate deep penetrating concealed faults and fractures, the major risk sources for accidental carbon dioxide release. The technology would allow the Department of Energy, at an early stage, to minimize risk in selecting sites for geologic carbon dioxide sequestration. Potential customers include government agencies and private companies engaged in environmental monitoring, pipe leak inspection, earthquake prediction, nonproliferation control, etc.