Basalt formations are exceptionally reactive CO2-storage candidates because they favor rapid mineral/fluid reactions that promote long-term storage security. Dissolution of basaltic minerals and precipitation of secondary phases alter fluid geochemistry and, potentially, pore structure during CO2 injection and storage. Secondary mineral formation is thought to alter porosity permeability and injectivity, but these effects have not been well-constrained. In this work, a laboratory flow-through experiment designed to quantify dissolution of basaltic primary minerals and conditions favorable for secondary phase formation under deep subsurface storage conditions is presented.
Introduction
Basalt formations have emerged as promising targets for geological CO2 storage because of abundant reactive silicate minerals and the potential to immobilize CO2 through mineral trapping.
