Steady CO₂ Flow: Optimizing CO₂ Mineralization

What is it about?

Mineralizing CO₂ into solid form within porous materials like cement and subsurface rocks offers a secure and effective approach for Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS). This study aims to improve the efficiency of CO₂ mineralization by ensuring smooth, even flow through these materials, avoiding unstable, finger-like patterns. By analyzing how CO₂ behaves when injected into water-filled porous media, the research simplifies the complex process. Using simulations and mathematical analysis, key stabilizing factors are identified, including the rate of CO₂ dissolution into water. The findings indicate that stable flow at the outset is likely to remain stable, enhancing the overall efficiency of CO₂ mineralization.

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Photo by anthony maw on Unsplash

Photo by anthony maw on Unsplash

Why is it important?

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC AR6 Synthesis Report) highlights the large-scale deployment of cost-effective CCUS technologies as crucial to limiting global warming to 2.0 °C by 2050. However, many CCUS methods lack scalability and require timely advancements to meet these targets. Progress in CCUS depends heavily on understanding coupled fluid flow and mass transfer processes, as CO₂ injection and subsequent reactions are often limited by system- or pore-scale mass transport rather than reaction kinetics. This research directly addresses these challenges by improving the understanding and control of CO₂ flow and distribution, advancing scalable CCUS applications.