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Author(s): Wu, H; Fu, P; Frone, Z; White, MD; Ajo-Franklin, JB; Morris, JP; Knox, HA; Schwering, PC; Strickland, CE; Roberts, BQ; Vermeul, VR; Mattson, ED; Ingraham, MD; Kneafsey, TJ; Blankenship, DA | Abstract: Heat recovery from an enhanced geothermal system (EGS) is a complex process involving heat transport in both fracture networks and rock formations. A comprehensive understanding of and the ability to model the underlying heat transport mechanisms is important for the success of EGS commercialization but remains challenging in practice due to the generally insufficient characterization of EGS reservoirs. In the present study, we analyze an extensively monitored intermediate-scale EGS field experiment performed in a well-characterized testbed. The high-resolution, high-quality measurements from the field experiment enable the development of a high-fidelity model incorporating a well-constrained fracture network. Based on the field experiment, we investigate the complex heat transport processes in an EGS-relevant environment and validate the capability of a numerical approach in simulating these inherently coupled heat transport processes. A series of numerical simulations were performed to study the effects of different heat transport mechanisms, including thermal convection with fracture flow, thermal conduction in rock formations, and the Joule-Thomson effect. The agreement of thermal responses between field measurements and simulation results indicates that our numerical approach can appropriately model the heat transport processes pertaining to heat recovery from EGS reservoirs.

Author(s): Johnson, TC; Burghardt, J; Strickland, C; Knox, H; Vermeul, V; White, M; Schwering, P; Blankenship, D; Kneafsey, T

Author(s): Fu, P; Schoenball, M; Ajo-Franklin, JB; Chai, C; Maceira, M; Morris, JP; Wu, H; Knox, H; Schwering, PC; White, MD; Burghardt, JA; Strickland, CE; Johnson, TC; Vermeul, VR; Sprinkle, P; Roberts, B; Ulrich, C; Guglielmi, Y; Cook, PJ; Dobson, PF; Wood, T; Frash, LP; Huang, L; Ingraham, MD; Pope, JS; Smith, MM; Neupane, G; Doe, TW; Roggenthen, WM; Horne, R; Singh, A; Zoback, MD; Wang, H; Condon, K; Ghassemi, A; Chen, H; McClure, MW; Vandine, G; Blankenship, D; Kneafsey, TJ | Abstract: The final version of the above article was posted prematurely on 16 July 2021, owing to a technical error. The final, corrected version of record will be made fully available at a later date.

Riverbeds can have an important impact on large-scale fluxes of biogeochemically active solutes in river corridor systems. The hyporheic zone is an important area of both hydrology and biogeochemistry, particularly in a hydropeaked river system where rapid variations in river stage height, hydraulic gradients, and residence times occur. We measured several biogeochemical and hydrological parameters at three different subsurface depths in the riverbed of the Columbia River in Washington state, a complex hydropeaked river system with significant subsurface heterogeneity. During the study, episodes of significant dissolved oxygen (DO) change were observed. The DO signal changes were the most apparent, compared to more modest changes in other biogeochemical markers. While DO is often associated with biological activity, we ultimately found that the notable DO excursions were associated with hydrologic gradients. Here we describe hydrologic perturbations and biogeochemical responses in terms of hydrobiogeochemical regimes. Two different forms of DO response to hydraulic gradient perturbation were observed, defining different hydrobiogeochemical regimes. The system tips abruptly from one regime to the other, exhibiting threshold behavior that is uncaptured in current estimations of cumulative influences of subsurface processes from reach to earth system scales.Plain language summaryThe water in a river is constantly flowing in and out of the river’s bed. While it is in the bed, microbes process environmentally and ecologically important nutrients and other compounds. The exchange of water between the river and the riverbed is largely controlled by the stage of the river. Many processes, both natural and human, can cause rapid changes in the river stage. These rapid stage changes can cause abrupt changes in the riverbed’s ability to process nutrients and other compounds. In this study, we use dissolved oxygen as a window into riverbed microbial and chemical processing. We see that relatively rapid changes in river stage can cause abrupt changes in the concentrations of chemicals in the riverbed, indicating fundamental changes in how the riverbed processes are occurring. Understanding these abrupt and fundamental changes is important to our overall understanding of the ecological function of river corridor systems.3 key pointsA hydrobiogeochemical regime is defined by the functional form of the relationship of a hydrologic perturbation and biogeochemical marker.Short-term hydrologic perturbations drive tipping points between distinct hydrobiogeochemical regimes.Linear and hysteretic dissolved oxygen dynamics define distinct regimes as observed throughout the hyporheic zone.

As part of the FutureGen 2.0 Project, a design was developed for a first-of-its-kind, commercial-scale, near-zero emissions coal-fueled power plant that includes carbon capture and storage (CCS) in a deep saline reservoir. To assess storage site performance and meet the regulatory requirements of the Class VI Underground Injection Control Program for CO2 Geologic Sequestration, the FutureGen 2.0 Project evaluated, selected, and designed a suite of monitoring technologies for use in (1) evaluating CO2 mass balance, (2) detecting significant loss of CO2 containment, (3) tracking the spatial extent of the CO2 plume and advancement of the pressure front within the storage reservoir, and (4) identifying the occurrence and location of injection-related induced seismicity. The monitoring program design includes direct monitoring of the injection process (above ground and in the injection wells), injection-zone monitoring, early-leak-detection monitoring directly above the primary confining zone, and compliance monitoring within the lowermost underground source of drinking water (USDW); it also includes measurements of formation pressure and other geochemical/isotopic signatures that provide an indication of changes in CO2 concentration and/or brine composition, both within the injection zone and immediately above the primary confining zone. In addition to these direct measurements, several indirect geophysical monitoring technologies were included in the monitoring program design such as passive seismic and integrated surface deformation monitoring. Although the FutureGen 2.0 Project was suspended by the U.S. Department of Energy prior to implementation of the monitoring program design, this overview is provided with the hope that other current or future CCS projects will derive benefit from consideration of the approach and monitoring network configuration adopted by the project.

Laboratory experiments were conducted to evaluate the impact of supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) injection on aqueous and solid phase geochemistry, and subsequent changes in permeability. These experiments showed that brine displacement from the Mount Simon Sandstone cores (∼1200 m depth) by scCO2 was inefficient by advection, because the low viscosity scCO2 flows predominantly in larger pores, leaving a significant amount of brine in smaller pores. Acidification caused by scCO2 injection resulted in significant increases in Mg2+, K+, Na+, SO42− Al3+, and silica concentrations are likely from differing rates of carbonate, clay, albite, and K-feldspar dissolution. The mass of precipitates that formed over 1.2 years (NaCl, KCl, lead oxide, and forsterite) was small, as observed by electron microprobe analysis and did not influence permeability. Trace metals that increased during scCO2 injection included Ba, Mn, Sr, Ni, Sn, Bi, Cu, Li, P, and Zn, and trace metals that decreased included Hg, Pb, and Co. The scCO2 injection experiments also showed a moderate amount of particulate (iron oxide) movement correlated with the fraction of scCO2, but the sandstone permeability did not change, even after substantial (i.e., 115 pore volumes) scCO2 injection. Anaerobic and aerobic microbial growth was observed (23 and 14 times, respectively) correlated with higher scCO2 concentration, but the calculated change in pore space occupied by the increase in biomass is insignificant. The small observed geochemical and microbial changes are not expected to reduce the ability to inject scCO2 into the reservoir, but significant increases in trace metal concentrations could magnify the water quality impact of a potential leak of reservoir fluids into an overlying aquifer.

Development of the FutureGen geologic storage site in Morgan County Illinois is part of a larger project to design, build, and operate a commercial-scale carbon capture and storage (CCS) system capable of capturing, treating, and storing the CO 2 off-gas from an oxy-combustion coal-fueled power plant located in Meredosia, Illinois. The geological storage site is designed to capture approximately 1.1 million metric tons (Mt) of CO 2 each year. To support the selection and design of the site, a comprehensive characterization effort was conducted in order to acquire fundamental subsurface site specific information. These characterization activities included seismic surveys coring, geophysical wireline logging, hydrologic testing and geomechanical testing. The characterization results combined with pertinent research literature were used to build a conceptual model of the site, which in turn informed the development of computer models. Collectively this work supported both the design work and the permitting under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's class VI Underground Injection Control (UIC) permit process which was developed specifically for CO 2 injection. The detailed design of the injection wells and associated monitoring network were completed in early 2014 and in August 2014 the site received the first issued set of class VI UIC permits in the Unites States for the planned injection wells.

A comprehensive monitoring program will be needed in order to assess the effectiveness of carbon sequestration at the FutureGen 2.0 carbon capture and storage (CCS) field-site. Geophysical monitoring methods are sensitive to subsurface changes that result from injection of CO2 and will be used for: (1) tracking the spatial extent of the free phase CO2 plume, (2) monitoring advancement of the pressure front, (3) identifying or mapping areas where induced seismicity occurs, and (4) identifying and mapping regions of increased risk for brine or CO2 leakage from the reservoir. Site-specific suitability and cost effectiveness were evaluated for a number of geophysical monitoring methods including: passive seismic monitoring, reflection seismic imaging, integrated surface deformation, time-lapse gravity, pulsed neutron capture logging, cross-borehole seismic, electrical resistivity tomography, magnetotellurics and controlled source electromagnetics. The results of this evaluation indicate that CO2 injection monitoring using reflection seismic methods would likely be difficult at the FutureGen 2.0 site. Electrical methods also exhibited low sensitivity to the expected CO2 saturation changes and would be affected by metallic infrastructure at the field site. Passive seismic, integrated surface deformation, time-lapse gravity, and pulsed neutron capture monitoring were selected for implementation as part of the FutureGen 2.0 storage site monitoringmore » program.« less

The FutureGen 2.0 Project will design and build a first-of-its-kind, near-zero emissions coal-fueled power plant with carbon capture and storage (CCS). To assess storage site performance and meet the regulatory requirements of the Class VI Underground Injection Control (UIC) Program for CO 2 Geologic Sequestration, the FutureGen 2.0 project will implement a suite of monitoring technologies designed to 1) evaluate CO 2 mass balance and 2) detect any unforeseen loss in CO 2 containment. The monitoring program will include direct monitoring of the injection stream and reservoir, and early-leak-detection monitoring directly above the primary confining zone. It will also implement an adaptive monitoring strategy whereby monitoring results are continually evaluated and the monitoring network is modified as required, including the option to drill additional wells in out-years. Wells will be monitored for changes in CO 2 concentration and formation pressure, and other geochemical/isotopic signatures that provide indication of CO 2 or brine leakage. Indirect geophysical monitoring technologies that were selected for implementation include passive seismic, integrated surface deformation, time-lapse gravity, and pulsed neutron capture logging. Near-surface monitoring approaches that have been initiated include surficial aquifer and surface- water monitoring, soil-gas monitoring, atmospheric monitoring, and hyperspectral data acquisition for assessment of vegetation conditions. Initially, only the collection of baseline data sets is planned; the need for additional near- surface monitoring will be continually evaluated throughout the design and operational phases of the project, and selected approaches may be reinstituted if conditions warrant. Given the current conceptual understanding of the subsurface environment, early and appreciable impacts to near-surface environments are not expected.

An in situ redox manipulation (ISRM) method for creating a permeable treatment zone in the subsurface has been developed at the laboratory bench and intermediate scales and deployed at the field scale for reduction/immobilization of chromate contamination. At other sites, the same redox technology is currently being tested for dechlorination of TCE. The reduced zone is created by injected reagents that reduce iron naturally present in the aquifer sediments from Fe(III) to surface-bound and structural Fe(II) species. Standard ground water wells are used, allowing treatment of contaminants too deep below the ground surface for conventional trench-and-fill technologies. A proof-of-principle field experiment was conducted in September 1995 at a chromate (hexavalent chromium) contaminated ground water site on the Hanford Site in Washington. The test created a 15 m diameter cylindrical treatment zone. The three phases of the test consisted of (1) injection of 77,000 L of buffered sodium dithionite solution in 17.1 hours, (2) reaction for 18.5 hours, and (3) withdrawal of 375,000 L in 83 hours. The withdrawal phase recovered 87% to 90% of the reaction products. Analysis of post-experimental sediment cores indicated that 60% to 100% of the available reactive iron in the treated zone was reduced. The longevitymore » of the reduced zone is estimated between seven and 12 years based on the post-experiment core samples. Three and half years after the field test, the treatment zone remains anoxic, and hexavalent chromium levels have been reduced from 0.060 mg/L to below detection limits (0.008 mg/L). Additionally, no significant permeability changes have been detected during any phase of the experiment.« less

Part of the 300 Area Integrated Field-Scale Subsurface Research Challenge (IFC) will be installation of a network of high density borings and wells to monitor migration of fluids and contaminants (uranium), both in groundwater and vadose zone, away from an surface infiltration plot (Figure A-1). The infiltration plot will be located over an area of suspected contamination at the former 300 Area South Process Pond (SPP). The SPP is located in the southeastern portion of the Hanford Site, within the 300-FF-5 Operable Unit. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) with the support of FH shall stake the well locations prior to the start of drilling. Final locations will be based on accessibility and will avoid any surface or underground structures or hazards as well as surface contamination.

This treatability test plan supports a new, integrated strategy to accelerate cleanup of chromium in the Hanford 100 Areas. This plan includes performing a field-scale treatability test for bioreduction of chromate, nitrate, and dissolved oxygen. In addition to remediating a portion of the plume and demonstrating reduction of electron acceptors in the plume, the data from this test will be valuable for designing a full-scale bioremediation system to apply at this and other chromium plumes at Hanford.

An initial feasibility study of options to treat the uranium plume at the 300-FF-5 Operable Unit considered hydraulic containment, slurry wall containment, and groundwater extraction as potential remedial action technologies. None were selected for interim action, and reduction of contamination levels by natural processes was considered a viable alternative while source removal actions continued. Subsequent planning for a Phase III feasibility study focused on methods that would reduce the concentration of uranium in the aquifer, including multiple methods to immobilize uranium using chemical-based technologies. Based on an initial technology screening, the polyphosphate technology was identified as the best candidate to treat the for further evaluation and selected for treatability testing. The overall objective of the polyphosphate treatability test is to evaluate the efficacy of using polyphosphate injections to treat uranium contaminated groundwater in situ. The objective of the work elements included in this site characterization plan is to collect site-specific characterization data that will be needed to design and implement a field-scale demonstration of the technology.

This treatability study was conducted by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), at the request of the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 2, to evaluate the feasibility of using in situ treatment technologies for chromate reduction and immobilization at the Puchack Well Field Superfund Site in Pennsauken Township, New Jersey. In addition to in situ reductive treatments, which included the evaluation of both abiotic and biotic reduction of Puchack aquifer sediments, natural attenuation mechanisms were evaluated (i.e., chromate adsorption and reduction). Chromate exhibited typical anionic adsorption behavior, with greater adsorption at lower pH, at lower chromate concentration, and at lower concentrations of other competing anions. In particular, sulfate (at 50 mg/L) suppressed chromate adsorption by up to 50%. Chromate adsorption was not influenced by inorganic colloids.

The purpose of this study was to quantify the influence of physical and/or geochemical heterogeneities in the Hanford 100D area In Situ Redox Manipulation (ISRM) barrier, which may be contributing to the discontinuous chromate breakthrough locations along the 65-well (2,300 ft long) barrier. Possible causes of chromate breakthrough that were investigated during this study include: i) high hydraulic conductivity zones; ii) zones of low reducible iron; and iii) high hydraulic conductivity zones with low reducible iron. This laboratory-scale investigation utilized geochemical and physical characterization data collected on 0.5 to 1 foot intervals from four borehole locations.Results of this laboratory study did not provide definitive support any of the proposed hypotheses for explaining chromate breakthrough at the Hanford 100-D Area ISRM barrier. While site characterization data indicate a significant degree of vertical variability in both physical and geochemical properties in the four boreholes investigated, lateral continuity of high conductivity / low reductive capacity zones was not observed. The one exception was at the water table, where low reductive capacity and high-K zones were observed in 3 of four boreholes.Laterally continuous high permeability zones that contain oxic sediment near the water table is the most likely explanation for high concentration chromium breakthroughmore » responses observed at various locations along the barrier. A mechanism that could explain partial chromate breakthrough in the ISRM barrier is the relationship between the field reductive capacity and the rate of chromate oxidation. Subsurface zones with low reductive capacity still have sufficient ferrous iron mass to reduce considerable chromate, but the rate of chromate reduction slows by 1 to 2 orders of magnitude relative to sediments with moderate to high reductive capacity.The original barrier longevity estimate of 160 pore volumes for homogeneous reduced sediment, or approximately 20 years, (with 5 mg/L dissolved oxygen and 2 ppm chromate) is reduced to 85 pore volumes (10 years) when the wide spread 60 ppm nitrate plume is included in the calculation. However, this reduction in barrier lifetime is not as great for high permeability channels, as there is insufficient time to reduce nitrate (and consume ferrous iron). If the cause of laterally discontinuous breakthrough of chromate along the ISRM barrier is due to oxic transport of chromate near the water table, additional dithionite treatment in these zones will not be effective. Treatment near the water table with a technology that emplaces considerable reductive capacity is needed, such as injectable zero valent iron.« less

At the Hanford Site, an extensive In Situ Redox Manipulation (ISRM) permeable reactive barrier was installed to prevent chromate from reaching the Columbia River. However, chromium has been detected in several wells, indicating a premature loss of the reductive capacity in the aquifer. One possible cause for premature chromate breakthrough is associated with the presence of high-permeability zones in the aquifer. In these zones, groundwater moves relatively fast and is able to oxidize iron more rapidly. There is also a possibility that the high-permeability flow paths are deficient in reducing equivalents (e.g. reactive iron), required for barrier performance. One way enhancement of the current barrier reductive capacity can be achieved is by the addition of micron-scale zero-valent iron to the high-permeability zones within the aquifer. The potential emplacement of zero-valent iron (Fe0) into high-permeability Hanford sediments (Ringold Unit E gravels) using shear-thinning fluids containing polymers was investigated in three-dimensional wedge-shaped aquifer models. Polymers were used to create a suspension viscous enough to keep the Fe0 in solution for extended time periods to improve colloid movement into the porous media without causing a permanent detrimental decrease in hydraulic conductivity. Porous media were packed in the wedge-shaped flow cell to create eithermore » a heterogeneous layered system with a high-permeability zone in between two low-permeability zones or a high-permeability channel surrounded by low-permeability materials. The injection flow rate, polymer type, polymer concentration, and injected pore volumes were determined based on preliminary short- and long-column experiments.« less

Tritium transport simulations were conducted to model the mechanisms associated with dilution, dispersion, and radioactive decay that attenuate the 618-11 Burial Ground tritium plume and limit the risk associated with exposure to the Columbia River and Energy Northwest water supply wells. A comparison of simulated and observed tritium concentrations at two downgradient monitoring wells indicated that the model was a reasonable representation of the tritium concentrations immediately downgradient of the site (699-13-3A) and near the leading edge of the plume (699-13-0A). This good match increased confidence in the conceptual model, its numeric implementation, and ultimately the validity of predictive simulations of tritium fate and transport. Three release scenarios were investigated to measure the impact of the tritium plume at primary receptor locations under different conditions. The three cases were 1) a pulse release of tritium from the burial ground that was the best fit between observed and simulated tritium concentrations; 2) a continuing, decaying source beneath the burial ground through 2015, the milestone for source removal under the River Corridor Closure Contract; and 3) a pulse release as in the best fit case but at twice the concentration. For the best fit case, the model predicts that the maximum tritiummore » concentration will decline to below the drinking water standard by 2031 For the other two release scenarios, maximum tritium concentrations declined to below the drinking water standard by 2040 and 2037, respectively. Tritium from the 618-11 burial ground is not expected to migrate to the Columbia River or to the Energy Northwest water supply wells at concentrations that would pose a significant risk.« less

The purpose of this laboratory study is to determine the influence of nitrate on the Hanford 100D Area in situ redox manipulation (ISRM) barrier longevity. There is a wide spread groundwater plume of 60 mg/L nitrate upgradient of the ISRM barrier with lower nitrate concentrations downgradient, suggestive of nitrate reduction occurring. Batch and 1-D column experiments showed that nitrate is being slowly reduced to nitrite and ammonia. These nitrate reduction reactions are predominantly abiotic, as experiments with and without bactericides present showed no difference in nitrate degradation rates. Nitrogen species transformation rates determined in experiments covered a range of ferrous iron/nitrate ratios such that the data can be used to predict rates in field scale conditions. Field scale reaction rate estimates for 100% reduced sediment (16 C) are: (a) nitrate degradation = 202 {+-} 50 h (half-life), (b) nitrite production = 850 {+-} 300 h, and (c) ammonia production = 650 {+-} 300 h. Calculation of the influence of nitrate reduction on the 100D Area reductive capacity requires consideration of mass balance and reaction rate effects. While dissolved oxygen and chromate reduction rates are rapid and essentially at equilibrium in the aquifer, nitrate transformation reactions are slow (100s of hours).more » In the limited (20-40 day) residence time in the ISRM barrier, only a portion of the nitrate will be reduced, whereas dissolved oxygen and chromate are reduced to completion. Assuming a groundwater flow rate of 1 ft/day, it is estimated that the ISRM barrier reductive capacity is 160 pore volumes (with no nitrate), and 85 pore volumes if 60 mg/L nitrate is present (i.e., a 47% decrease in the ISRM barrier longevity). Zones with more rapid groundwater flow will be less influenced by nitrate reduction. For example, a zone with a groundwater flow rate of 3 ft/day and 60 mg/L nitrate will have a reductive capacity of 130 pore volumes. Finally, long-term column experiments demonstrated the longevity of the reduced sediment barrier to reduce/immobilize 2 mg/L chromate in the presence of 8.4 mg/L dissolved oxygen (saturation), and 60 mg/L nitrate (maximums observed in the field). Initially the chromate reduction half-life was

This report satisfies requirements in the Operations and Maintenance Plan for the 300-FF-5 Operable Unit (DOE/RL-95-73, Rev. 1) to provide detailed information, beyond that provided in the regular annual groundwater report (e.g., PNNL-15070), on groundwater conditions. The purpose is to characterize current conditions; provide a basis for changes to the monitoring schedules; and provide technical information to support the second 5-year review of the record-of-decision for the operable unit. Key topics include historical trends in the levels of various contaminants; updating the list of contaminants of potential concern; conceptual site models for uranium (300 Area) and tritium (618-11 waste site sub-region); performance of the interim actions under the current record-of-decision; and analysis of the applicability of Monitored Natural Attenuation as a remedial action alternative.

In situ chemical reduction of aquifer sediments is currently being used for chromate and TCE remediation by forming a permeable reactive barrier. The chemical and physical processes that occur during abiotic reduction of natural sediments during flow by sodium dithionite were investigated. In different aquifer sediments, 10-22% of amorphous and crystalline FeIII-oxides were dissolved/reduced, which produced primarily adsorbed FeII, and some siderite. Sediment oxidation showed predominantly one FeII phase, with a second phase being oxidized more slowly. The sediment reduction rate (3.3 h batch half-life) was chemically controlled (58 kJ mol(-1)), with some additional diffusion control during reduction in sediment columns (8.0 h half-life). It was necessary to maintain neutral to high pH to maintain reduction efficiency and prevent iron mobilization, as reduction generated H+. Sequential extractions on reduced sediment showed that adsorbed ferrous iron controlled TCE reactivity. The mass and rate of field-scale reduction of aquifer sediments were generally predicted with laboratory data using a single reduction reaction.

DOE and PNNL are working to strengthen the technical defensibility of the groundwater flow and transport model at the Hanford Site and to incorporate uncertainty into the model. One aspect of the initiative is developing and using a three-dimensional transient inverse model to estimate the hydraulic conductivities, specific yields, and other parameters using data from Hanford since 1943. The focus of the alternative conceptual model (ACM-2) inverse modeling initiative documented in this report was to address limitations identified in the ACM-1 model, complete the facies-based approach for representing the hydraulic conductivity distribution in the Hanford and middle Ringold Formations, develop the approach and implementation methodology for generating multiple ACMs based on geostatistical data analysis, and develop an approach for inverse modeling of these stochastic ACMs. The primary modifications to ACM-2 transient inverse model include facies-based zonation of Units 1 (Hanford ) and 5 (middle Ringold); an improved approach for handling run-on recharge from upland areas based on watershed modeling results; an improved approach for representing artificial discharges from site operations; and minor changes to the geologic conceptual model. ACM-2 is the first attempt to fully incorporate the facies-based approach to represent the hydrogeologic structure. Further refinement and additional improvements tomore » overall model fit will be realized during future inverse simulations of groundwater flow and transport. In addition, preliminary work was completed on an approach and implementation for generating an inverse modeling of stochastic ACMs. These techniques were applied to assess the uncertainty in the facies-based zonation of the Hanford formation and the geological structure of Ringold mud units. The geostatistical analysis used a preliminary interpretation of the facies-based zonation that was not consistent with that used in ACM-2. Although the overall objective of this task is to assess uncertainty based on the most current model (ACM-2), this preliminary work provided an effective basis for developing the approach and implementation methodology. A strategy was developed to facilitate inverse calibration analysis of the large number of stochastic ACMs generated. These stochastic ACMs are random selections from a range of possible model structures, all of which are consistent with available observations. However, a single inverse run requires many forward flow model runs, and full inverse analysis of the large number of combinations of stochastic alternative models is not now computationally feasible. Thus, a two-part approach was developed: (1) full inverse modeling of selected realizations combined with limited forward modeling and (2) implementation of the UCODE/CFEST inverse modeling framework to enhance computational capabilities.« less

From the mid-1940s through the 1980s, large volumes of waste water were discharged at the Hanford Site in southeastern Washington State, causing a large-scale rise (>20 m) in the water table. When waste water discharges ceased in 1988, ground water mounds began to dissipate. This caused a large number of wells to go dry and has made it difficult to monitor contaminant plume migration. To identify monitoring wells that will need replacement, a methodology has been developed using a first-order uncertainty analysis with UCODE, a nonlinear parameter estimation code. Using a three-dimensional, finite-element ground water flow code, key parameters were identified by calibrating to historical hydraulic head data. Results from the calibration period were then used to check model predictions by comparing monitoring wells' wet/dry status with field data. This status was analyzed using a methodology that incorporated the 0.3 cumulative probability derived from the confidence and prediction intervals. For comparison, a nonphysically based trend model was also used as a predictor of wells' wet/dry status. Although the numerical model outperformed the trend model, for both models, the central value of the intervals was a better predictor of a wet well status. The prediction interval, however, was more successful at identifying dry wells. Predictions made through the year 2048 indicated that 46% of the wells in the monitoring well network are likely to go dry in areas near the river and where the ground water mound is dissipating.

FutureGen 2.0 site will be the first near-zero emission power plant with fully integrated long-term storage in a deep, non-potable saline aquifer in the United States. The proposed FutureGen 2.0 CO 2 storage site is located in northeast Morgan County, Illinois, U.S.A., forty-eight kilometres from the Meredosia Energy Center where a large-scale oxy- combustion demonstration will be conducted. The demonstration will involve > 90% carbon capture, which will produce more than one million metric tons (MMT) of CO 2 per year. The CO 2 will be compressed at the power plant and transported via pipeline to the storage site. To examine CO 2 storage potential of the site, a 1,467m characterization well (FGA#1) was completed in December 2011. The target injection zone for CO 2 storage is in a zone of high permeability within the upper portion of the Mt. Simon Sandstone. Confining beds of the overlying Eau Claire Formation reach a thickness of 126 m. Characterization of the target injection zone and the overlying confining zone was based on wellbore data, cores, and geophysical logs, along with surface geophysical (2-D seismic profiles, magnetic and gravity), and structural data collected during the initial stage of the project. Based on this geological model, 3D simulations of CO 2 injection and redistribution were conducted using STOMP-CO2, a multiphase flow and transport simulator. After this characterization stage, it appears that the injection site is a suitable geologic system for CO 2 sequestration and that the injection zone is sufficient to receive up to 33 MMT of CO 2 at a rate of 1.1 MMT/yr.

Geochemical monitoring is an essential component of a suite of monitoring technologies designed to evaluate CO 2 mass balance and detect possible loss of containment at the FutureGen 2.0 geologic sequestration site near Jacksonville, IL. This presentation gives an overview of the potential geochemical approaches and tracer technologies that were considered, and describes the evaluation process by which the most cost-effective and robust of these were selected for implementation.