A review of carbon mineralization mechanism during geological CO2 storage

Kyuhyun Kim; Donghyun Kim; Yoonsu Na; Youngsoo Song; Jihoon Wang

doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e23135

A review of carbon mineralization mechanism during geological CO₂ storage

Heliyon. 2023 Dec 2;9(12):e23135. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e23135. eCollection 2023 Dec.

Authors

Kyuhyun Kim¹, Donghyun Kim¹, Yoonsu Na¹, Youngsoo Song¹, Jihoon Wang¹

Affiliation

¹ Department of Earth Resources and Environmental Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul, 04763, South Korea.

Abstract

The CO₂ trap mechanisms during carbon capture and storage (CCS) are classified into structural, residual, solution, and mineral traps. The latter is considered as the most permanent and stable storage mechanism as the injected CO₂ is stored in solid form by the carbon mineralization. In this study, the carbon mineralization process in geological CO₂ storage in basalt, sandstone, carbonate, and shale are reviewed. In addition, relevant studies related to the carbon mineralization mechanisms, and suggestions for future research directions are proposed. The carbon mineralization is defined as the conversion of CO₂ into stable carbon minerals by reacting with divalent cations such as Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, or Fe²⁺. The process is mainly affected by rock types, temperature, fluid composition, injected CO₂ phase, competing reaction, and nucleation. Rock properties such as permeability, porosity, and rock strength can be altered by the carbon mineralization. Since changes of the properties are directly related to injectivity, storage capacity, and stability during the geological CO₂ storage, the carbon mineralization mechanism should be considered for an optimal CCS design.

Keywords: Basalt; CCS; Carbon mineralization; Mineral trap; Sandstone.

Publication types

Review