Technology

The Research

The goal of this project is to develop an affordable, energy efficient and ultra-sensitive sensor that has the potential to detect even one molecule of carbon dioxide (CO₂)_.

Current sensors used to detect CO₂ at surface sites are either very expensive or they use a lot of energy. And they’re not as accurate as they could be. Quite simply, the sensor technology needed to monitor and validate the amount of CO₂ being emitted has not kept pace with the development of other technologies required for carbon capture and storage (CCS).

Dr. Harry Ruda, of the Centre for Nanotechnology at the University of Toronto, and Dr. David Risk, of the Flux Lab at St. Francis Xavier University, are working on single nanowire transistors that should have unprecedented sensitivity for detecting CO₂ emissions.

When developed, the ultra-sensitive sensor will help improve surface monitoring verification and accounting (MVA), important measurements from a regulatory point of view. The sensors could also provide complete topographic and temporal mapping of carbon emissions, which would help in the design of new protocols for carbon storage and recovery systems as well provide the means for enforcing regulations—all of which will enable markedly reduced emissions.

The researchers’ efforts will include testing and translational work that will help embed the sensors in real-world application environments. While the project will initially prove the sensor is capable of detecting very small amounts of carbon, it could eventually be used to detect other emissions in a variety of industries.

Research Grant

$378,000/3 years; Awarded 2012

Benefits to Canada and Beyond

Public opinion will most certainly derail CCS projects that are not seen to have adequate safeguards. Many existing devices limit the efficacy of monitoring or they are too expensive. The proposed nanowire sensor is both sensitive and inexpensive – qualities that make it one of the technologies that may lead to more confidence in and acceptance for CCS among the public, investors, insurers and regulators.

Furthermore, as carbon markets and regulatory frameworks for monitoring become established, failure to demonstrate containment will result in lost credit income for operators. This project will result in direct GHG reduction benefits by helping to facilitate common and confident use of CCS in Canada and abroad.

Industrial Applications

With the exception of remote sensing techniques, most proposed CCS surface monitoring tools do not suit the scale or needs of CCS—they’re too costly or drift-prone. This project will result in the inexpensive, reliable and high-resolution sensors that industry requires for monitoring across CCS and EOR sites that typically exceed 100 square km. In addition to CCS, the new sensors could be used in process control, sensitive and continuous CO₂ pipeline monitoring as well as other applications.

Industrial Project Partners

Kyoto Technologies are supporting the project with cash and in-kind contributions.