A Novel Approach to Experimental Studies of Mineral Dissolution Kinetics
Project # 42125

Primary Performing Organization
Indiana University

This project is intended to resolve a fundamental quandary in geochemistry as to why there is a persistent two to five orders of magnitude discrepancy between laboratory-measured and field derived feldspar dissolution rates. This is more than an academic question. A firm scientific basis for predicting silicate reaction kinetics in geologic formations containing injected carbon dioxide (CO₂) is urgently needed to ensure the reliability of the geochemical models used for the assessment of carbon sequestration strategies.

Feldspar is the most abundant mineral in earth’s crust.

The proposed experimental study will attempt to resolve the discrepancy between feldspar dissolution rates by a novel experimental design and interpretation to measure silicate and dawsonite dissolution and iron carbonate precipitation at rates and conditions pertinent to geological carbon sequestration.

The project will also experimentally test the novel idea of storing CO₂ together with sulfur dioxide (SO₂) in red-bed sandstones that contain both feldspars and iron oxides. It is expected that SO₂ will reduce ferric iron to ferrous iron, which reacts with CO₂ and precipitates iron carbonate. If so, such a combined storage arrangement would represent a major cost reduction in front end processing.

The results of this project will provide critical experimental constraints that can serve as a basis to refine multiphase flow reactive-transport modeling of CO₂ sequestration in saline aquifers.

Contact:
Project Manager: David A. Lang, david.lang@netl.doe.gov

Related Papers and Publications:

• A Novel Approach to Experimental Studies Fact Sheet [PDF]