Geo-Chemo-Mechanical Studies for Permanent CO2 Storage in Geologic Reservoirs

Lead PI: Prof. Peter B. Kelemen, Ah-Hyung Park , Juerg M. Matter

Unit Affiliation: Geochemistry, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory (LDEO)

December 2009 - September 2013
Inactive
Global ; New York City, NY ; New York
Project Type: Research

DESCRIPTION: The goal of the project is to experimentally quantify CO2 capture and storage rates via mineral carbonation in peridotitic and basaltic rocks and to test the hypothesis that rapid carbonation of peridotitic leads to reactive cracking. Experiments were done in a high-temperature, high-pressure batch reactor. The findings from this study can be very valuable in predicting the long term stability of geologically stored CO2.

OUTCOMES: It was found that increasing temperature increased the rate of carbonation with Olivine being the most reactive. Increasing the pressure increased the reactivity of Olivine up 139atm, while Labradorite only saw improvements after 139atm, and Anorthosite and Basalt saw little improvement. NaCl improved reactivity for Olivine more than the others. NaHCO3 had significant enhancing effects on all minerals. This project has resulted in patent applications and several conference presentations.