Title: A brief review of mechanisms for carbon dioxide sequestration into aquifer reservoirs

Authors: Hadi Belhaj; Achinta Bera

Addresses: Petroleum Engineering Department, The Petroleum Institute, Sas Al Nakhl Campus, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box – 2533, Abu Dhabi, UAE ' Petroleum Engineering Department, The Petroleum Institute, Sas Al Nakhl Campus, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box – 2533, Abu Dhabi, UAE

Abstract: This paper presents a thorough understanding of carbon dioxide (CO2) gas sequestration mechanisms taking place at the time of injection, post injection and settlement of CO2 into the aquifer reservoirs. It also presents a broad model consisting of two positive components and one negative component to briefly describe the microscopic mechanisms that occur during CO2 trapping. The force of displacement and the force of pore space enlargement to increase the CO2 storage capacity are positive influencing factors for CO2 trapping in the aquifer reservoirs. Alternatively, the force of swelling is the negative component of the model. This short review will discuss the current scenario of understanding of CO2 trapping mechanisms, structural trapping mechanisms, kinetics of CO2 dissolution and future challenges and developments of carbon capture and storage projects. The present study will deliver a complete understanding of microscopic phenomena during CO2 trapping into aquifer reservoirs apart from the existing mechanisms.

Keywords: CO2 capture and storage; CO2 trapping mechanisms; deep saline aquifer; drainage; imbibition; swelling.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPE.2017.088996

International Journal of Petroleum Engineering, 2017 Vol.3 No.1, pp.49 - 66

Received: 18 May 2017
Accepted: 22 Aug 2017

Published online: 03 Jan 2018 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article