『Abstract
Carbon dioxide disposal into deep aquifers is a potential means
whereby atmospheric emissions of greenhouse gases may be reduced.
However, our knowledge of the geohydrology, geochemistry, geophysics,
and geomechanics of CO2 disposal must be
refined if this technology is to be implemented safely, efficiently,
and predictably. As a prelude to a fully coupled treatment of
physical and chemical effects of CO2 injection,
the authors have analyzed the impact of CO2
immobilization through carbonate mineral precipitation. Batch
reaction modeling of the geochemical evolution of 3 different
aquifer mineral compositions in the presence of CO2
at high pressure were performed. The modeling considered the following
important factors affecting CO2 sequestration:
(1) the kinetics of chemical interactions between the host rock
minerals and the aqueous phase, (2) CO2 solubility
dependence on pressure, temperature and salinity of the system,
and (3) redox processes that could be important in deep subsurface
environments. The geochemical evolution under CO2
injection conditions was evaluated. In addition, changes in porosity
were monitored during the simulations. Results indicate that CO2 sequestration by matrix minerals varies considerably
with rock type. Under favorable conditions the amount of CO2 that may be sequestered by precipitation of
secondary carbonates is comparable with and can be larger than
the effect of CO2 dissolution in pore waters.
The precipitation of ankerite and siderite is sensitive to the
rate of reduction of Fe(III) mineral precursors such as goethite
or glauconite. The accumulation of carbonates in the rock matrix
leads to a considerable decrease in porosity. This in turn adversely
affects permeability and fluid flow in the aquifer. The numerical
experiments described here provide useful insight into sequestration
mechanisms, and their controlling geochemical conditions and parameters.』
1. Introduction
2. Numerical modeling approach
2.1. Main features
2.2. Reaction rates
2.3. CO2 solubility
2.4. Thermodynamic data
2.4.1. Glauconite
2.4.2. Oligoclase
2.4.3. Ankerite
2.4.4. Type II kerogen
2.5. Kinetic data
3. Problem setup
3.1. Glauconitic sandstone
3.2. Gulf Coast sediments
3.3. Dunite
4. Results and discussion
4.1. Mineral alteration
4.2. Capacity for CO2 sequestration by minerals
4.3. Changes in porosity
4.4. Sensitivity analysis to reaction rate
5. Composition of simulations with field observations
6. Limitation of simulations
7. Summary and conclusions
Acknowledgements
References