Description

Currently, CO2 Capture and Storage (CCS) in deep saline aquifers or depleted reservoirs are considered the most promising methods for CO2 sequestration. The cap rock layers above the injection zones are crucial in preventing CO2 from escaping. Thus, comprehending the sealing abilities of these cap rocks is vital for assessing the storage potential in geological storage sites, in particular the capillary threshold pressure. This pressure refers to the minimum pressure at which trapped CO2 starts leaking through a cap rock, or initiate fracturing. In other words, it represents the critical pressure level at which the cap rock’s integrity is compromised, potentially leading to the escape of CO2. The CTP-350 is a tool designed to precisely measure the threshold pressure of a real rock sample from the cap rock layer, under actual pressure and temperature conditions, when exposed to supercritical CO2 pressure. The device is also utilized to gauge the brine permeability of the core. Two experimental procedures are available to directly measure the capillary threshold pressure: the Step-by-step method and the Residual pressure method, using nitrogen gas or supercritical CO2.