Coupled Acoustic Emission and Ultrasound Monitoring of CO₂ Sequestration Processes

Project description

The safe and permanent storage of CO₂ in geological formations is a critical pathway toward achieving global decarbonization goals. Among potential host formations, mafic rocks show particular promise due to their high reactivity with CO₂, which promotes stable mineral carbonation. However, the injection of CO₂ into these formations triggers complex thermo-hydro-mechanical (THM) processes. These coupled interactions influence fracture initiation, permeability evolution, and the long-term stability of storage reservoirs. To ensure safe and efficient sequestration, a rigorous, experimentally validated framework is needed to better understand these dynamics. This project aims to develop such a framework by integrating advanced Acoustic Emission (AE) and Ultrasound (US) monitoring techniques. AE monitoring will capture microseismic activity, offering real-time insights into fracture initiation, propagation, and stress redistribution during CO₂ injection. Complementary ultrasound techniques will assess elastic property changes and damage accumulation, providing quantitative measures of microstructural evolution under varying thermal, hydraulic, and mechanical conditions. The coupled AE-US monitoring framework is expected to deliver detailed information on fracturing, sequestration pathways, and secondary cracking induced by carbonation. The experimental program will subject mafic rock specimens to true triaxial stress conditions at elevated temperatures, replicating in-situ reservoir environments. During these tests, CO₂ will be injected to induce hydraulic fracturing, enabling direct observation of fracture growth and its interaction with pore pressure and thermal gradients. Ultimately, this project will establish a novel, experimentally grounded framework to predict the behaviour of mafic reservoirs under CO₂ storage. The outcomes will advance scientific understanding of THM coupling in reactive rocks, provide robust monitoring tools for field-scale operations, and contribute directly to the development of safe, permanent carbon storage strategies.

Outcomes

Expected outcomes of the project include: i. Improved knowledge of thermo-hydro-mechanical (THM) coupling in reactive mafic rocks during CO₂ injection. ii. Deeper insights into fracture initiation, propagation, and long-term reservoir stability under in-situ conditions. iii. Development of a coupled Acoustic Emission (AE)–Ultrasound (US) monitoring system to track microseismic activity, elastic property changes, and microstructural evolution. iv. Real-time detection of fracture growth, stress redistribution, and secondary cracking induced by carbonation. v. Direct contribution to the development of safe, permanent, and efficient CO₂ sequestration strategies aligned with global decarbonization goals. vi. Publishing of the ideas and outcomes of the project in high-impact journals and conferences.

Essential capabilities

Knowledge of Geotechnical and/or Structural and/or Mechanical Engineering with academic achievement.

Desireable capabilities

Experience in experimental testing and fracture mechanics. In case the student does not have the relevant experience, the student will be encouraged to undertake additional studies in this field at UQ and/or IIT Delhi.

Expected qualifications (Course/Degrees etc.)

Master’s Degree in Geotechnical, Civil, Mechanical or Chemical Engineering.