Impact Analysis of Simulation Parameters on Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Storage Modeling in Aquifers

Abstract

Kacper Dworak and Fathi Boukadi

This study presents an in-depth analysis of the variability in numerical simulations of supercritical carbon dioxide injection and storage. The project focuses on the impact of the grid size and different calculation methods on the outcomes of the simulation. navigator software has been utilized as the simulator of choice, whereas the three simulation models in question were based on the CO2STORE, CO2SOL, and GASSOL (with Henry solubility enabled) keywords. The simulation runs were conducted on a homogeneous, rectangular prism that represented an aquifer. The model underwent a three-year injection process followed by a 100-year-shut-in period that allowed for observations regarding CO2 plume development and migration. The initial conditions were aligned with the Illinois Basin - Decatur Project. The study compares the efficiency of carbon dioxide dissolution mechanisms across all models as well as highlights the impact of the grid size on the plume area estimations and computational demand.

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