ICARE Lab (FR7.5)

Experimental platform including 5 measurement benches to reproduce the thermo-hydro-chemical conditions representative of the geological storage of CO2. The experimental equipment allows reproducing the interactions between fluids and reservoir rocks (sandstone, carbonates, etc.), borehole cements and caprocks (e.g. claystones) under pressure and temperature conditions from the near surface to geothermal systems (i.e. 30 MPa and 300 °C).

The experimental platform can be used for:

• Storage feasibility study;

• Risk analysis (in particular of leaks);

• Calibration, configuration and validation of modeling tools;

• Development of technologies for mitigating leaks and remedying their effects.

The laboratory includes various analytical equipment such as

• Measurements of porosity;

• Water and air permeability;

• Gas analysis by chromatography and Raman spectrometry.

This laboratory maintains a high level of technological innovation and is among the most efficient in the world. The experimental part is completed by means of micro-tomographic image analysis (image processing platform) and scientific computing (dedicated computing server) for the modeling of thermo-hydro-chemical processes.

Analysis resources: UM/ OSU OREME PT AETE-ISO / Géosciences Montpellier : petrologic analysis, mineralogic and chemical analysis : Raman, DRX, Microprobe, SEM-EBSD, (LA-)ICPMS, ICPAES.

ICARE Lab is fully operational.

There is very few similar equipement in Europe. The advantages of ICARE Lab are :

1. The long experience acquired over the last 10 years by the scientific and technical team;

2. The continuous improvement of the equipement according to the state-of the art;

3. The dedicated technical team made of 2 permanent engineers.