Quantum Cascade Laser-Based Sensing for Carbon Sequestration Leakage Monitoring

Abstract

Carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) may play a key role in our energy future. However, the widespread sequestration of CO 2 into storage reservoirs is inhibited by safety and leakage concerns. Effective leakage monitoring at the surface is recently made possible by the development of quantum cascade (QC) laser-based sensors, which are capable of tracking fluxes in CO 2 isotope concentrations. In this paper, we initially discuss the status of this technology, including recent results from distributed feedback QC lasers for use in sensing CO 2 isotopic ratios. These lasers show single-mode emission at 4.32 µm, overlapping strong absorption resonances of 12 CO 2 , 13 CO 2 , and 18 OCO. We then consider the value of such devices for quantifying CO 2 leakage using a climate-economy integrated-assessment model that is modified to include CCS. The sensitivity of model outcomes to reservoir leakage is studied, showing that an average reservoir storage half-life on the order of 1000 years or longer can limit atmospheric temperature increases to 2°C or less over the next 150 years for economically optimal emissions scenarios. The present day economic value of CCS is established versus reservoir half-life, showing a significant return on investment (∼2 trillion U.S.$, or ∼4% of gross world product) when the average reservoir half-life is 250 years, with a sharp drop in the value of CCS technology for half-life values below 250 years. Quantifying CO 2 leakage rates via QC laser-based sensing will contribute greatly toward accurately assessing CCS technology and its efficacy as part of CO 2 limitation strategies.Index Terms-Environmental economics, laser applications, quantum cascade lasers, trace gas sensing.

Firefighting robot with video full-closed loop control

“…A burning fire always releases large amounts of CO 2 . The spectral analysis of a burning fire shows that an obvious radiation peak appears around the 4.2 μm infrared band, which is a specific characteristic of fire [27]. Therefore, this firefighting robot adds a 4.2-4.5 μm narrow bandpass optical filter in the front end of the camera charge-coupled device (CCD) sensor.…”