Geologist

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2011, 8, 955-975; doi:10.3390/ijerph8040955
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International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
ISSN 1660-4601 www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerph Article

An Optimal Centralized Carbon Dioxide Repository for Florida, USA
Brandon Poiencot and Christopher Brown * School of Engineering, University of North Florida, Building 50, 1 UNFDrive, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA; E-Mail: Brandon.poiencot@unf.edu * Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: Christopher.j.brown@unf.edu; Tel.: +1-904-620-2811; Fax: +1-904-620-1391. Received: 15 February 2011; in revised form: 11 March 2011 / Accepted: 25 March 2011 / Published: 31 March 2011

Abstract: For over a decade, the United States Department of Energy, and engineers,geologists, and scientists from all over the world have investigated the potential for reducing atmospheric carbon emissions through carbon sequestration. Numerous reports exist analyzing the potential for sequestering carbon dioxide at various sites around the globe, but none have identified the potential for a statewide system in Florida, USA. In 2005, 83% of Florida’s electrical energy wasproduced by natural gas, coal, or oil (e.g., fossil fuels), from power plants spread across the state. In addition, only limited research has been completed on evaluating optimal pipeline transportation networks to centralized carbon dioxide repositories. This paper describes the feasibility and preliminary locations for an optimal centralized Florida-wide carbon sequestration repository. Linearprogramming optimization modeling is used to plan and route an idealized pipeline network to existing Florida power plants. Further analysis of the subsurface geology in these general locations will provide insight into the suitability of the subsurface conditions and the available capacity for carbon sequestration at selected possible repository sites. The identification of the most favorable site(s)is also presented. Keywords: CCS; carbon sequestration; centralized repository; transportation optimization; Florida; storage alternatives

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2011, 8 1. Introduction

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The potential for global climate change due to warming of the planet has been studied and debated over the last decade. The majority opinion is that the climate is changing due toemissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. Scientists from around the globe generally agree that reducing greenhouse gas emissions is of paramount importance. One way to achieve sizable reductions over the next few decades is to deploy carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) in a mass scale [1,2]. The United States Department of Energy, and engineers, geologists, and scientists the world overhave investigated the potential for reducing atmospheric carbon dioxide emissions through underground storage or geologic carbon sequestration. Although considerable research has been completed, no one has studied the potential for an integrated CCS system in Florida, USA. Florida is heavily dependent upon fossil fuels for its primary power generation. According to 2005 Environmental ProtectionAgency (EPA) data, there are 136 large and small power plants in Florida including those that use coal, oil, natural gas, and biomass as their source of fuel. Due to the large number of fossil fuel power plants in Florida, Florida also generates a significant mass of carbon dioxide emissions each year. In 2005, those emissions totaled almost 134,000,000 tonnes or 134 Mt [3]. In the future, newregulations are likely to require carbon dioxide emission reductions across the United States and in Florida. Florida utility companies are currently investigating feasible alternatives to reduce overall carbon dioxide emissions but most alternatives will be very expensive and difficult to implement over the short-term. While each alternative has advantages and disadvantages, forward thinking...