School of Earth and Environment
Untitled Document

Thomas Lynch Thomas Lynch

Associated PhD Student

Telephone number: +44(0) 113 34 38894
Email address: pmtol@leeds.ac.uk
Room: 4.04 SPEME (Engineering)

Biography

Project details

Project Title: Geological storage of CO2 in the UK: Opportunities and risks

Supervisors: Professor Q.Fisher, Dr D.Angus and Professor A.Gouldson

Funding: EPSRC Doctoral Training Centre in Low Carbon Technologies

Start date: 01/10/2009

Project Outline

Storage of CO2 in depleted petroleum reservoirs and deep saline formations offers one of the most promising ways to reduce CO2 emissions from point sources, such as hydrocarbon powered power stations, using Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS). However, little is known about total storage capacity, potential injection rates, leakage pathways and rates, and potential ecological impacts of CO2 containment breach.

In my project I will use numerical flow simulations as well as geomechanical models to investigate potential storage capacities, injection rates and leakage mechanisms within proposed geological storage sites both onshore and offshore UK.

My project will identify the key opportunities and risks for CO2 storage in the UK and could lead to improvement in methods to: (i) predict safe CO2 storage capacity of geological formations; (ii) explore optimal injection strategies and rates of CO2 into geological formations; (iii) evaluate optimum monitoring methods for CO2 containment and leakage; (iv) develop remediation strategies; and (v) quantify risks associated with CO2 storage in the subsurface.

As an emerging technology it is essential that the wider implications of CCS are fully understood and that these inform the development of the technology; as part of my project I will also investigate risk based regulation of CCS, with the aim of using my research into technical aspects of storage to inform my section of my work.

Qualifications

  • MEarthSci Earth Sciences, University of Manchester
  • MSc Geotechnical Engineering, University of Manchester

Demonstrating and Teaching

I currently demonstrate for the 3rd year Reservoir Performance Modelling (SOEE3550) module.

I have also been a teaching assistant on my Doctoral Training Centre MSc mini-projects looking at CO2 storage, using Tempest to analyze CO2 storage capacities and injection rates.