Effects of Impurities on CO2 Geological Storage

Abstract

This project studied the physical and chemical effects of typical impurities on CO2 storage using both experimental approaches and theoretical simulation. Results show that the presence of typical non-condensable impurities from oxyfuel combustion such as N2, O2, and Ar resulted in lower density than pure CO2, leading to decreased CO2 storage capacity and increased buoyancy in saline aquifers. In contrast, inclusion of condensable SO2 in CO2 resulted in higher density than pure CO2 and therefore increased storage capacity. These impurities also had a significant impact on the phase behaviours of CO2, which is important to CO2 transportation. Different effects on rock chemistry were detected with experimental systems containing pure CO2, CO2 with SO2, or CO2 with SO2 and O2 under conditions simulating that in a potential storage site. An equation was proposed to predict the effects of the rock chemistry on the porosity of rocks.