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Geosolutions Leeds to fund four new research projects

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Geosolutions Leeds News
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Following our internal call for research proposals, we are excited to announce the successful projects that will help us achieve our objectives and support the delivery of the University’s Climate Plan. 

These projects will bring together expertise in geoscience, engineering, and social science, reflecting our commitment to leading the energy transition through interdisciplinary subsurface research. Each project will include a fully funded PDRA position lasting up to two years. 

Unlocking the hydrogen storage potential of the Central North Sea: Assessing suitability and perception of storage in salt caverns

Primary Investigators: Dr Charlotte Botter and Dr Adam McArthur 

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Project Summary:  This project explores potential hydrogen storage sites on the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS), to enable use of hydrogen as an energy source to reach UK Net Zero targets 2050. It aims to screen the subsurface for potential sites for hydrogen storage within Permian salt caverns. The thickness, structure and composition of the salt rocks are highly variable and specific sites need to be identified that will safely and securely store the hydrogen for later use. This project will use a large subsurface dataset, of seismic reflection data and boreholes, collected in the North Sea to screen for sites of suitable size, geometry and seal capacity to store hydrogen. Samples of North Sea Permian salt will also be tested to determine their suitability for hydrogen storage. The project will provide a database of potential salt cavern locations in the Central and Southern North Sea offshore Yorkshire.

A New look at an old problem through Transdisciplinary Research: Investigating the physiochemical processes of scaling and tribology to gain a fundamental understanding of mineral deposit formations 

Primary Investigators: Dr Frederick Oritseweneye Pessu 

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Project Summary: The project is a transdisciplinary study, bringing experts together across Mechanical Engineering and SEE to deepening our understanding of critical mineral systems – resources that are essential for the UK’s transition to net zero and for key manufacturing sectors. This project will help elucidate the fundamental role of fluid migration, mixing (between a “formation fluids” and externally derived fluids) for chemical speciation and mineral precipitation, growth and replacement mineralisation of rock systems, and/or stress- and displacement-induced piezoelectric effects on the mineralisation kinetics of critical minerals within rock systems.  

Project outputs will address the questions of:  

  1. What is the role of mixing fluids in the mineralisation of ore deposits in zones of high rock permeability?
  2. How significant is the deformation-induced piezo-electroplating phenomenon in the mineralisation process?
  3. Is there a synergistic effect of both phenomena of mineralisation of critical minerals?  

Numerical stratigraphic modelling of lithological heterogeneities: geological reservoir characterisation for carbon capture and underground storage 

Primary Investigators: Dr Na Yan 

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Project Summary: The project aims to deepen our understanding of deep saline aquifers and their potential for underground CO2 storage, which is crucial for achieving net-zero emissions. Deep saline aquifers can hold more CO2 and keep it stable at depths greater than 3,000 meters compared to injecting CO2 into old oil and gas reservoirs, making them a better option for underground CO2 storage. However, these aquifers have varied rock layers that need to be understood to predict how the CO2 will behave.  

 Therefore, the project will develop new tools to model these complex subsurface reservoirs, using the largest database of sedimentary structures to guide the models. The advanced modelling software will also be utilised to: 

  • Predict 3D geometry and structure of difference rock layers.  
  • Predict distribution and connectivity of different types of rock layers within a subsurface reservoir.  
  • Model how CO2 will flow through these reservoirs.  
  • Evaluate Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage (CCUS) potential of targeted Permo-Triassic successions.  

  The project will assess the potential and prospect ranking of selected subsurface reservoirs for CO2 storage and help make informed decisions 

‘Stories from the Subsurface’: Creative Communication and Stakeholder Engagement of Geosolutions Research 

Primary Investigators: Dr Rory Padfield 

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Project Summary: Working alongside researchers from Geosolutions Leeds, the School of Earth and Environment, and the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Culture, professional storytellers will develop compelling stories about the subsurface and energy transition.  

The proposed subsurface stories will educate audiences about the energy transition, highlight Geosolutions Leeds research and teaching programmes, and inspire the next generation of geoscientists. The project will produce a number of compelling, creative and evidence-based stories about the subsurface, as well as a 'Storytelling and Stakeholder Engagement Tool', which Geosolutions scientists can use to create new stories about their research in the future.