Effects of CO2 on the mineralogy, mechanical, and transport properties of rocks

• Published in: Renewable & sustainable energy reviews Vol. 199; p. 114519
• Main Authors: Dabbaghi, Ehsan, Ng, Kam
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.07.2024
• Subjects: Brine–CO2–Rock reactions; CO2 geological storage; Elastic properties; Mechanical properties; Porosity and permeability; Rock mechanics; Mechanical properties; Porosity and permeability; Rock mechanics; Elastic properties; Brine–CO2–Rock reactions; CO2 geological storage
• ISSN: 1364-0321; 1879-0690
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2024.114519

CO2 sequestration has proven to be an attractive way to combat global warming. However, due to the corrosive nature of CO2, chemical reactions between CO2 and the host rock can happen after the injection. This study reviews the current state of knowledge about chemical reactions and their effects on the mineralogy, structure, mechanical, deformation, and transport properties of different types of rocks from research papers published in 2004–2024. In addition to drawing a comprehensive picture of the research that has been done on the subject and the gaps that need to be filled, this review combined the data from the papers to introduce the relationships between exposure conditions (CO2 pressure, exposure duration, and temperature) and mineralogy, strength, and elastic properties, and permeability of multiple types of rocks. Results showed that some minerals like quartz are not affected by CO2 while others like carbonates can easily be dissolved. Datapoints from various papers showed a negative effect of CO2 pressure and exposure duration, and a positive effect of temperature on the strength properties of rocks. An increase in permeability was another consequence of CO2 treatment in most cases. This study is one of the first works to gather data from multiple sources in developing relationships between CO2 treatment conditions and the strength properties of rocks. Results will potentially improve understanding and prediction of the effect of CO2 on the properties and behavior of rocks. [Display omitted] •Quartz, unlike carbonates, is not impacted by CO2.•Dissolution/precipitation of minerals leads to increase/decrease in pore volume.•The compressive strength mostly decreases with an increase in CO2 pressure.•Bulk and elastic moduli of rocks decrease after CO2 treatment.•CO2 increases the permeability of most rocks.