Effect of Geochemical Reactivity on ScCO<sub>2</sub>–Brine–Rock Capillary Displacement: Implications for Carbon Geostorage
The displacement efficiency of supercritical CO<sub>2</sub> (scCO<sub>2</sub>) injection in the storage zone and its primary trapping mechanism in the confining zone are strongly tied to the capillary phenomenon. Previous studies have indicated that the capillary phenomenon c...
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MDPI AG
2023-10-01
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| Series: | Energies |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/16/21/7333 |
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| author | Felipe Cruz Son Dang Mark Curtis Chandra Rai |
| author_facet | Felipe Cruz Son Dang Mark Curtis Chandra Rai |
| author_sort | Felipe Cruz |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The displacement efficiency of supercritical CO<sub>2</sub> (scCO<sub>2</sub>) injection in the storage zone and its primary trapping mechanism in the confining zone are strongly tied to the capillary phenomenon. Previous studies have indicated that the capillary phenomenon can be affected by geochemical reactivity induced by scCO<sub>2</sub> dissolution in formation brine. To quantify such changes, thin disk samples representing a sandstone storage reservoir, siltstone confining zone, and mudstone confining zone were treated under a scCO<sub>2</sub>-enriched brine static condition for 21 days at 65 °C and 20.7 MPa. Geochemical alterations were assessed at the surface level using scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and X-ray fluorescence. Before and after treatment, the wettability of the scCO<sub>2</sub>–brine–rock systems was determined using the captive-bubble method at fluid-equilibrated conditions. Pore size distributions of the bulk rocks were obtained with mercury injection capillary pressure, nuclear magnetic resonance, and isothermal nitrogen adsorption. The results indicate the dissolution of calcite at the surface, while other potentially reactive minerals (e.g., clays, feldspars, and dolomite) remain preserved. Despite alteration of the surface mineralogy, the measured contact angles in the scCO<sub>2</sub>–brine–rocks systems do not change significantly. Contact angle values of 42 ± 2° for sandstone and 36 ± 2° for clay-rich siltstone/calcite-rich mudstone were determined before and after treatment. The rocks studied here maintained their water-wettability at elevated conditions and after geochemical reactivity. It is also observed that surface alteration by geochemical effects did not impact the pore size distributions or porosities of the thin disk samples after treatment. These results provide insights into understanding the impact of short-term geochemical reactions on the scCO<sub>2</sub>–brine capillary displacement in the storage zone and the risks associated with scCO<sub>2</sub> breakthrough in confining zones. |
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| issn | 1996-1073 |
| language | English |
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| series | Energies |
| spelling | doaj.art-c6ef25e5f2c645cda782e4e4ab622be42023-11-10T15:02:13ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732023-10-011621733310.3390/en16217333Effect of Geochemical Reactivity on ScCO<sub>2</sub>–Brine–Rock Capillary Displacement: Implications for Carbon GeostorageFelipe Cruz0Son Dang1Mark Curtis2Chandra Rai3Mewbourne School of Petroleum and Geological Engineering, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019-1003, USAMewbourne School of Petroleum and Geological Engineering, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019-1003, USAMewbourne School of Petroleum and Geological Engineering, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019-1003, USAMewbourne School of Petroleum and Geological Engineering, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019-1003, USAThe displacement efficiency of supercritical CO<sub>2</sub> (scCO<sub>2</sub>) injection in the storage zone and its primary trapping mechanism in the confining zone are strongly tied to the capillary phenomenon. Previous studies have indicated that the capillary phenomenon can be affected by geochemical reactivity induced by scCO<sub>2</sub> dissolution in formation brine. To quantify such changes, thin disk samples representing a sandstone storage reservoir, siltstone confining zone, and mudstone confining zone were treated under a scCO<sub>2</sub>-enriched brine static condition for 21 days at 65 °C and 20.7 MPa. Geochemical alterations were assessed at the surface level using scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and X-ray fluorescence. Before and after treatment, the wettability of the scCO<sub>2</sub>–brine–rock systems was determined using the captive-bubble method at fluid-equilibrated conditions. Pore size distributions of the bulk rocks were obtained with mercury injection capillary pressure, nuclear magnetic resonance, and isothermal nitrogen adsorption. The results indicate the dissolution of calcite at the surface, while other potentially reactive minerals (e.g., clays, feldspars, and dolomite) remain preserved. Despite alteration of the surface mineralogy, the measured contact angles in the scCO<sub>2</sub>–brine–rocks systems do not change significantly. Contact angle values of 42 ± 2° for sandstone and 36 ± 2° for clay-rich siltstone/calcite-rich mudstone were determined before and after treatment. The rocks studied here maintained their water-wettability at elevated conditions and after geochemical reactivity. It is also observed that surface alteration by geochemical effects did not impact the pore size distributions or porosities of the thin disk samples after treatment. These results provide insights into understanding the impact of short-term geochemical reactions on the scCO<sub>2</sub>–brine capillary displacement in the storage zone and the risks associated with scCO<sub>2</sub> breakthrough in confining zones.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/16/21/7333carbon geostoragegeochemical reactivitysupercritical CO<sub>2</sub>wettabilitycapillary pressure |
| spellingShingle | Felipe Cruz Son Dang Mark Curtis Chandra Rai Effect of Geochemical Reactivity on ScCO<sub>2</sub>–Brine–Rock Capillary Displacement: Implications for Carbon Geostorage Energies carbon geostorage geochemical reactivity supercritical CO<sub>2</sub> wettability capillary pressure |
| title | Effect of Geochemical Reactivity on ScCO<sub>2</sub>–Brine–Rock Capillary Displacement: Implications for Carbon Geostorage |
| title_full | Effect of Geochemical Reactivity on ScCO<sub>2</sub>–Brine–Rock Capillary Displacement: Implications for Carbon Geostorage |
| title_fullStr | Effect of Geochemical Reactivity on ScCO<sub>2</sub>–Brine–Rock Capillary Displacement: Implications for Carbon Geostorage |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effect of Geochemical Reactivity on ScCO<sub>2</sub>–Brine–Rock Capillary Displacement: Implications for Carbon Geostorage |
| title_short | Effect of Geochemical Reactivity on ScCO<sub>2</sub>–Brine–Rock Capillary Displacement: Implications for Carbon Geostorage |
| title_sort | effect of geochemical reactivity on scco sub 2 sub brine rock capillary displacement implications for carbon geostorage |
| topic | carbon geostorage geochemical reactivity supercritical CO<sub>2</sub> wettability capillary pressure |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/16/21/7333 |
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