Enhancing CO2 storage capacity and containment security of basaltic formation using silica nanofluids

Abstract

The affinity of the basalt surfaces towards CO2, quantified as wettability functions, is one of the most important driving factors for CO2 trapping capacity and containment security. SiO2 is a minor constituent, often found in traces in the seawater and formation brine injected or reinjected into the sub-surface formations. This work, thus, evaluates the effect of nano-sized SiO2 (100, 1000, and 2000 mg. L−1) on the wettability of the basalt rock surface in the pressure range of 5-20 MPa. The results from brine/CO2/rock wettability measurements show that SiO2 nanoparticles turn the CO2-wet basalt surface to weakly water-wet upon aging with nanofluids. About 40% reduction in the measured brine contact angle takes place upon treatment of the rock sample with 1000 mg. L−1 nanoparticles. We hypothesize that this change in wettability may facilitate enhanced capillary or residual trapping of CO2 in the basalt formation having adequate porosity and permeability to enhance the basalt CO2 trapping capacity.

RAS ID

42664

Document Type

Journal Article

Date of Publication

2021

Volume

112

School

School of Engineering / Graduate Research

Copyright

subscription content

Publisher

Elsevier

Comments

Al-Yaseri, A., Ali, M., Abbasi, G. R., Abid, H. R., & Jha, N. K. (2021). Enhancing CO2 storage capacity and containment security of basaltic formation using silica nanofluids. International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control, 112, article 103516. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijggc.2021.103516

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Link to publisher version (DOI)

10.1016/j.ijggc.2021.103516