Carbon dioxide sequestration in saline brine formations

Although brine formations have the largest potential capacity for permanent CO2 sequestration in geologic formations, little is known about the mechanisms of storing CO2 as mineral carbonates in brine. Accordingly, this study focuses on the kinetics of mineral carbonate formation using high-pressure thermogravimetric analysis that mimics the actual conditions found in saline brine formations. The transformation of gaseous CO2 into stable carbonates was investigated at various pressures and temperatures. When considering pressures between 200 and 600 psi and temperatures between 50 and 75degreesC, the experimental conditions are equivalent to those attainable through CO2 injection into shallow oil and gas wells.