Carbon sequestration in geological formations such as deep unminable coal seams is one of the proposed measures for arresting the rising concentration of anthropogenic CO2. Due to the high penetration power and relatively short wavelength of neutrons, small-angle neutron scattering (SANS, USANS) and quasi elastic neutron scattering (QENS) are ideally suited for in situ studies of the phase behaviour and mobility of green house gases in coal under pressure. In addition, SANS and USANS offer number of advantages for evaluating the pore volume that is actually inaccessible to the fluid at underground conditions. In this talk I will discuss results of the USANS and SANS studies of several bituminous coals saturated with CO2 and methane at pressures up to 10000 psi. These results will be compared with QENS data on the mobility of methane and CO2 in a model porous system (carbon aerogel).

Neutron scattering for carbon capture and sequestration

245th National Meeting (2013)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.