Use of bacteria to prevent gas leakage
OwnerAlfred Cunningham, Lee Spangler +2inventors
InventorsAlfred Cunningham, Lee Spangler, Robin Gerlach, Adrienne Phillips
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Abstract
The present invention relates to the use of microbial biofilms and microbial induction of calcium carbonate precipitation to sequester gases in underground geological formations. In one embodiment, methods of the invention can be used to prevent the leakage of supercritical CO2 in underground geological formations such as aquifers.
Claims34
A method of using a microbial biofilm barrier to seal a gas leakage in a geological formation containing sequestered gas, comprising applying one or more microbial species to said geological formation and administering a growth substrate to said one or more microbial species to induce formation of a microbial biofilm which seals said gas leakage.
A method of sequestering CO2 in a geological formation, comprising:
- a). injecting supercritical CO2 in said geological formation;
- b). adding one or more microbial species capable of forming a barrier at site of supercritical CO2 injection;
- and
- c). inducing formation of said barrier, wherein said barrier mitigates leakage of sequestered CO2.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.