ES2618843A1 - Improvements in co2 injection system for ecotoxicological studies, adaptation for use with microorganisms (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

Addition to patent es2438090, "co2 injection system for ecotoxicological studies", adaptation for use with microorganisms. The purpose is to perform microbiological tests related to the toxicity of carbon dioxide due to possible leaks in the marine environment from storage areas in the ccs (carbon capture and storage) technique for subsequent evaluation of environmental risks associated with this methodology and monitoring of the implantation of the technique using the microorganisms of benthos as a tool (monitoring). This model of integration of insulating chamber and co2 injection system is designed to keep the temperature controlled during the tests by means of an air conditioner and guarantee an aseptic environment, both of the co injection equipment itself2 introducing autoclavable material and filters, such as the use of specific footwear and gown to work inside. (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Description

an appropriate form where political will, research and international cooperation are key in this regard.

In this context, several options have been studied in order to considerably reduce the concentrations of CO2 in the atmosphere, however the scientific community considers that the capture and storage of CO2 in stable underground geological formations (CCS), which once housed oil or gas, is one of the most viable techniques (IPPC (2013) Climate Change 2013: The Physical Science Basis, Contribution of Working Group I to the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Intergov, Chango Work Clim. I Contributed to IPCC Fifth Assess. Rep. (AR5) (Cambridge Univ Press, New York) 1535, DOE, (2010), DOE / NETL Advanced Carbon Dioxide Capture R & D Program: Technology Update, US DOE, 257, Rubin E ., (2010), The outlook for advanced CCS technology, CAPD Energy Systems Initiative Seminar, CMU, Pittsburgh, USA.

In fact, many countries have already been interested in these carbon capture and storage technologies, where some projects have been proposed and others are in operation. In Spain, eleven different areas have also been specifically proposed for this type of technique (BOE, (2008) Resolution of November 28, 2007, of the General Directorate of Energy Policy and Mines, of the Ministry of Industry, Tourism and Commerce for the that the provisional reservation proposal inscription in favor of the state for resources of section B) is published, underground structures likely to be an effective storage of carbon dioxide in various areas (10 warehouses). BOE 34 of 8 February 2008, pp. 7099-7102). Although the use of this type of technology has obtained the support and consensus of the scientific community about its economic, social and environmental potential; It is considered as a complex process in its entirety with a high degree of uncertainty and with possible associated risks (Damen, K., Faaij, A., & Turkenburg, W. (2006). overview of mechanisms and current knowledge, Climatic Change, 74 (1-3), 289-318). One of the risks associated with this new technique is the possible escape of CO2 from the storage area. 80% of CCS locations are located on offshore platforms. And in case of leakage it would cause a reduction of the pH associated to the increase of the CO2 concentration. and consequently, physicochemical changes in the environment that will have a direct impact on the ecosystem and the organisms in the area. These organisms could be exposed to abrupt changes where the socioeconomic stability of natural fishing and / or marine resources could be compromised.

STATE OF THE ART

The evaluation of risks associated with the toxicity of C02 due to leaks has been carried out in recent years using various methodologies and techniques. In general, toxicity tests are divided into two categories: studies with the use of microcosms / mesocosms under controlled laboratory or in situ conditions. Working in situ requires a lot of time for material preparation, high technical knowledge and, above all, an enormous economic effort, either by public administrations or by the research institutes themselves, and therefore, in many cases, they are impossible to tackle. . However, working with mesocosms / microcosms allows obtaining very reliable results of low economic cost even if they are on a smaller scale. This strategy is valued by the "Guide to best practices for ocean acidification research and data reporting of the European Commission" (Riebesell, U, Fabry, YJ, Hansson, L., Gattuso, J.-P., (2010) Guide to Best Practices in Ocean Acidification Research and Data Reporting, Report of international research workshop on best practices for ocean acidification research (19-21 November 2008 in Kiel, Germany). Doi: 10.2777 / 58454) which in turn indicates good results using a team of CO2 injection. Today, the Ecosystem Pollution group of the Department of Physical Chemistry of the Faculty of Marine Sciences of Puerto Real (Cádiz) has developed a system that simulates the escape of CO2 which uses macrofauna (mussels, polychaetes, fish larvae, clams, amphipods, crickets, crabs, etc.) as a tool to evaluate the toxicity of carbon dioxide and possible risks associated with the mobility of metals (patent granted, Ref: ES2438090) using mesocosms / microcosms. However, until now, a new strategy has not been developed where sediment microorganisms serve as an evaluation and / or monitoring tool once the CCS technique has been implemented.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Unlike the use of macro fauna, the changes in the communities of the microorganisms in the face of an episode of CO2 escape are made more quickly due to their genetic and adaptive characteristics, which allows to obtain in a fast way reliable results that result from low economic cost and that allows an accurate evaluation.

Therefore, based on the patent with Ref (ES2438090), to carry out toxicity tests with microorganisms have introduced new features such as an insulating chamber with air conditioner that allows not only to maintain the desired constant temperature, but also to be able to guarantee sterile conditions with easy access for the daily collection of samples. Filters of 0.2 ~ m pore have also been incorporated in each outlet of the two pipes coming from the manometers that directs the gas to the aquariums. This further minimizes possible errors in the final data caused by dust, other microorganisms

or external agents retained in the tube that transports the CO2 from the bottle to the aquariums. 80% of the material of the equipment can be sterilized in an autoclave or in an oven at 80 ° C for the necessary time. FBS valves have also been incorporated in each injector towards the aquarium, which act as a regulator of CO2 flow and thus be able to better handle bubbling in aquariums since, depending on the objective, very small volumes will be used to avoid excessive turbulence affecting the aquarium. the final results due to breakage of cells etc. In addition, agitators with thermostat have been incorporated so that the bacterial cells or microalgae that need light receive the same amount. Unlike the other equipment for tests with microalgae, the agitation must be done manually and the light can not reach all the cells of the crop, this being a limiting factor in the growth, and therefore affecting the final results. The thermostat associated with the agitator can be used if it is intended to maintain a temperature inside the aquarium other than that of the chamber. On the other hand, anti-return valves have been incorporated so that water does not interfere with the crops in the injection system by capillarity and may affect or damage the solenoid valves. And finally, a timer has been added to the camera that simulates day-night cycles to study solar variations.

In short, the strategy of integrating the CO2 system in the air-conditioned chamber of aseptic environment has a versatility in its use that, not only would allow microbiological tests related to CO2 leakage, but also experiments associated with the risks of ocean acidification in the water column due to carbon dioxide atmosphere-ocean exchanges. Even the characteristics of the chamber allow the realization of toxicity tests with microorganisms of general character since the chamber is characterized by a zone of work under a sterile environment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE CONTENT OF THE FIGURES

Figure 1 corresponds to the dimensions 350X150x240 cm and viewed from the side. It includes the following elements:

one.

C02 bottles

two.

Access door to the camera with glass and key

3.

Picture window

Four.

Wiring the air conditioner to the inside of the chamber

5.

Semiautomatic central COZ supply

6

Location of the air conditioner inside the chamber

7

Gas bottle for bunsen burner. It could be located inside the camera.

Figure 2 corresponds to the camera seen from outside where you can see the following elements:

and in figure 3 all the elements inside the heated chamber are represented:

8

Computer with software installed where the desired pH is controlled.

9

Bath tennostatizado-agitador.

10

CO2 exhaust sensor in case of excessive leakage.

eleven.

Solenoid valves

12

Sample treatment table equipped with bunsen burner.

13

Erlenrneyer with aquarium function.

14.

Extension strip of plugs and USB connections where the pH sensors and solenoid valves are connected.

fifteen.

PH sensors

16

Electronic pH controller. Connect the computer with the injection eqwpo.

17

Fluorescent light emitter with possibility of regulation for simulation of day-night cycles.

18

Pipe that distributes pure gas.

19

Silicone tubes that serve as CO2 injectors in aquariums. Autoclavable.

twenty.

FBS regulating CO2 flow valves.

twenty-one.

Cabinets with doors to store reagents and keep all material clean and sterile without leaving the chamber.

22

Manometers that regulate the CO2 outlet pressure. Filters are located at the exit of each manometer

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The size of the invention can be conditioned by the characteristics of the place where we want to locate it, by the amount of aquariums and treatments that we want to test. (Figure 1, 2 and 3). This injection system is controlled by software connected to a computer (Figure 3, 8), which controls the gas addiction. The equipment consists of independent pH sensors (figure 3, 15) and solenoid valves (figure 3, 11) for each aquarium connected to the software (figure 3, 16). Acid ranges can range from values of 8 to values of 5.0 simulating the most extreme scenarios possible. With the help of the software, C02 will be injected or not, by means of the opening or closing of said solenoid valves. By means of the FBS valves (Figure 3, 20) the flow can be regulated according to the needs of bubbling. When the pH sensors detect a higher pH of the chosen one in the software, the order will be given to the equipment to automatically open the solenoid valves and let the gas pass. This type of tests are carried out with the use of closed cultures that grants greater independence to the technician and / or researcher responsible for the experiment, being able to dedicate himself completely to the daily collection and treatment of data, since he does not need nutritional control once the trial is planned. . In addition, for studies at the population level, working with closed crops naturally manages to reach the exponential phase of growth, thus being able to obtain data such as the growth rate (11), maximum number of cells, concentration of dissolved exopolysaccharides, the ratio of inhibition (RIC02) derived by the exposure of C02 and the proportion of inhibited population, that with equipment of other characteristics where semicontinuous cultures are used would not be achieved. The size of the aquariums will be determined by our objective and the volume of sample that we have to analyze.

Depending on the objectives we set, we can use two different exposure routes:

51 Injection of COL in seawater: the pure CO2 will be injected directly into the water that we wish to analyze in order to evaluate the direct effect of the pH changes caused by the C02 leaks both at the population level, communities and the symbiosis between microorganisms . This route would not only serve to assess risks in C02 leaks, but could be used for the purposes of

10 ocean acidification in the water column. Example 1: Evaluation of effects in the microorganism communities of the water column due to pH changes by exchange of atmospheric atmosphere. In this type of tests the response of the set of microorganisms is evaluated

15 of the sample of the water column. To simulate different conditions, the thermostatted bath is programmed to imitate ocean temperatures (inside the aquarium) and the camera's air conditioner is programmed to obtain temperature scenarios of the atmosphere (temperature inside the chamber). This strategy of temperature changes allows to simulate so many

20 climate change scenarios as desired. The agitator associated to the bath with the thermostat allows movement of the mass of water to avoid sedimentation of the cells and imitate the movement that may exist in the water column due to tides and waves. The integration of the equipment with the camera, in addition, allows the processing of samples almost at the moment of taking the water sample

25 thus avoiding contamination and sudden changes in temperature. The community of the water column will be studied with identification techniques of groups of species which will provide information on how the community changes according to the different pH treatments, together with relevant physico-chemical data. The results are compared to those aquariums that have not had injection of

30 C02.

Example 2: Evaluation of responses of a specific population of microorganisms, whether bacteria, viruses or microa / gas due to changes in pH due to the exchange of CO2 atmosphere-ocean and / or CO2 leakage

In this case, the effects on a given population are studied whether it is characteristic of the sediment (for studies of CO2 leakage) or of the water column (atrnosphere-ocean exchange). Once the population to be studied is chosen (for example: a specific species typical of the sediment, or a typical species of the water column), a known cell concentration is inoculated in water or culture medium filtered through a pore 0.2! lm and auto nailed to avoid any contamination and are subjected to the different concentrations of CO2 that are wished to test. In this type of test results will be obtained on periods of acclimatization, growth ratios, inhibitory effects of C02, maximum number of cells, etc., which will provide information on how a population of a specific species is affected by different concentrations of CO2. The results are also compared with those obtained in aquariums where there is no CO2 injection. CO2 injection through sediment: it will be used when the objective is to study in an integrated manner the effect that could exist in the microbiological community (bacteria, viruses and benthic microalgae) when the sediment in question is under analysis and there is an acidification of it. to the escape of CO2. Example: the sterile silicone tubes with small openings are placed in spiral form on the floor of the aquarium, the sediment under study will be placed on top once sieved and then clean and sterile sea water so that it does not interfere with the native community itself. of the sediment. Once the aquariums are prepared and placed, they will be subjected to the different concentrations of CO2 that they want to study. The sediment community will be studied with identification techniques of groups of species that together with physico-chemical data (nutrient flows, alkalinities, etc.) will provide information on how the community changes according to the different pH treatments comparing the results of Those aquariums that have not been injected with CO2. Physico-chemical data (flows of nutrients, contaminants, organic matter,

etc.) will serve as support for a full evaluation of the results.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION

5 The resulting data from this invention will be susceptible of application in the decision making of the legal institutions working in the framework of climate change and its mitigation knowing reliably the potential effects that could happen in the short-medium due to a escape of C02 using the benthos microorganisms as an evaluation tool with

10 fast and reliable results. In case of implantation of the injection technique in geologically stable structures in the marine subsoil, this invention will allow a control or monitoring using the microorganism communities of the benthos as a tool to diagnose possible C02 leaks

Claims (4)

1. Addendum to patent ES2438090, "CO2 injection system for ecotoxicological studies", adaptation for use with microorganisms, which in addition to the basic components of the system includes:

-

An insulating chamber with air conditioning that allows, not only to maintain the desired constant temperature, but also to be able to guarantee sterile conditions with easy access for the daily collection of samples.

-

0.2 µl pore filters in each outlet of the two pipes coming from the pressure gauges that direct the gas to the aquariums.

-

FBS valves on each injector towards the aquarium, which act as a CO2 flow regulator, to improve bubbling in the aquariums.

-

Shakers with thermostat so that the bacterial cells or microalgae that need light receive the same amount and be able to establish a temperature inside the aquarium different from that of the chamber.

-

Non-return valves so that the water from the crops does not interfere with the injection system by capillarity and can affect or damage the solenoid valves.

-

An in-camera timer that simulates day-night cycles to study solar variations.

2.

Use of the system, according to claim 1, in experiments associated with the risks of possible CO2 leaks derived from ces techniques.

3.

Use of the system, according to claim 1, in experiments associated with the risks of ocean acidification in the water column due to atmosphere-ocean exchanges of carbon dioxide.

Four.

Use of the system, according to claim 1, for toxicity tests with microorganisms of a general nature, since the chamber provides a work area under a sterile environment.

Fig. 1 Fig. 2 Fig.3