Numerical study on density-driven convection of CO2-H2S mixture in fractured and sequential saline aquifers

Abstract

Dissolution trapping stands as a critical mechanism for the geological carbon storage (GCS) and can be notably improved through density-driven convection. However, to the best of the author’s knowledge, the discussion on density-driven convection of CO2-H2S mixture has been limited to the exclusion of intersected fractures and lithology sequence effects. Therefore, this study aims to systematically investigate the impact of H2S concentration, fractures, and lithology sequence on convective mixing. Four distinct mechanisms that influence convective mixing of CO2-H2S mixtures in the presence of fractures were identified: 1) accelerated downward solute transportation in fractures, 2) coalescence between plumes around fractures and primary down-swelling plumes, 3) high fracture conductivity inhibiting plume migration across fractures, and 4) upward flow in fractures facilitating the transport of high-concentration solute out of the system. Additionally, the effects of lithology sequence on the shape of CO2 plumes and the curve shape of the total flux at the top boundary were described. The results demonstrated that density-driven convection is enhanced with decreasing H2S concentration and increasing fracture interaction angle and fracture conductivity ratio. The magnitudes of density-driven convection, ranked from high to low, are fining downward, uniform, and fining upward lithology sequences. Furthermore, the H2S concentration affects the flow direction within fractures and alters the relative magnitude of the dimensionless concentration in the noise sequences. The findings of this study on a small scale were proven to be applicable on a large scale.