Mechanisms for mechanical trapping of geologically sequestered carbon dioxide.

ABSTRACT: Carbon dioxide (CO₂) sequestration in subsurface reservoirs is important for limiting atmospheric CO₂ concentrations. However, a complete physical picture able to predict the structure developing within the porous medium is lacking. We investigate theoretically reactive transport in the long-time evolution of carbon in the brine-rock environment. As CO₂ is injected into a brine-rock environment, a carbonate-rich region is created amid brine. Within the carbonate-rich region minerals dissolve and migrate from regions of high-to-low concentration, along with other dissolved carbonate species. This causes mineral precipitation at the interface between the two regions. We argue that precipitation in a small layer reduces diffusivity, and eventually causes mecha

SUBMITTER: Cohen Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4353055 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature