| Title | Experimental Study of Rock–Fluid Interactions using Automated Multi-Channel System operated under Conditions of CO2-based Geothermal Systems |
|---|---|
| Authors | Miroslav PETRO, Jim ZESCH, Norine CHANG, Alan BELL, Ashutosh KOLE, Alexandra RODKIN, Patrick F. DOBSON, Yoojin JUNG, Tianfu XU |
| Year | 2013 |
| Conference | Stanford Geothermal Workshop |
| Keywords | rock-fluid interactions, supercritical CO2, mineral solubility, dissolution, enhanced eeothermal eystem, CO2-EGS, CO2 sequestration |
| Abstract | Rock–water–CO2 interactions play a significant role in various hydrothermal sites producing carbonated waters, at CO2 sequestration in aquifers, during CO2 enhanced oil recovery and, finally, when considering an enhanced geothermal system with CO2 replacing water as the working fluid. To mimic these processes and accurately quantify the corresponding rock-fluid interaction, PARC has built a multichannel experimental system equipped with several batch reactors confined in a large oven and each on-line connected to a sophisticated analytical system that monitors dissolution profiles of individual minerals. The system has been recently upgraded by adding a flow-through circulation channel, which simulates the reservoir injection-production loop and allows us to study additional factors related to the complex interaction kinetics. Synchronized high-throughput operation in both batch and flow-through modes provides numerous data on thermodynamic and kinetic parameters of the interaction for modeling and additional studies at LBNL. In addition to mapping out mineral solubilities under high pressure and high temperature conditions in supercritical CO2 – water environments, we have studied in more detail the dynamic effects of surface area and changes in other parameters during the course of the interaction. Along with better understanding of generic issues with hot rock-water-CO2 interactions, we obtain samples from relevant fields, such as the Southeast Regional Carbon Sequestration Partnership test site in Cranfield, Mississippi, and then evaluate the impact of the rock-fluid interactions on large scale underground processes triggered by the injection of CO2. |