A multiscale algorithm for the mineralization process during supercritical carbon dioxide injection into a deep saline aquifer

Abstract

PurposeIn this work, it is presented a locally conservative multiscale algorithm accounting the mineralization process during the supercritical carbon dioxide injection into a deep saline aquifer. The purpose of this study is to address numerically the geological storage ofCO2in a highly heterogeneous reservoir, leading with interactions among several phenomena in multiple scales.Design/methodology/approachThis algorithm have features that distinguish it from the presently available solvers which are: (i) an appropriate combination of a coupled transport system solver using a high-order non-oscillatory central-scheme finite volume method and, elliptic numerical approach applying a locally conservative finite element method for Darcy’s law and, (ii) the capability of leading with interactions among several phenomena in multiple scales.FindingsAs a result, this approach was able to quantify the precipitation of the carbonate crystals at the solid interface.