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Description
In this work, we will focus on finding optimal parameters such as pressure and
volume flow during injection of supercritical CO2 into saline aquifers. The main physical phenomenon which
prevents achieving high injection rates is salt precipitation. This effect can be esspetially prominent for shallow
and low-permeability reservoirs. It can severely reduce the reservoir permeability around the well, induce
excess pressure build-up, and cause a decline in injectivity Injection of CO2 to rock formation can also have a
negative impact on porosity and permeability of porous medium because grain displacement, compaction, and
shrinkage-swelling and thermochemical processes such as precipitation of minerals and asphaltenes, and
hydrate formation.
In the proposed research we will fill the gap in the knowledge about length (distance), magnitude, and velocity
of capillary-driven backflow, viscous forces under different thermodynamic, continuity of water film conditions,
the impact of salinity and salt type on the magnitude, distribution, and precipitation pattern, nucleation and
growth crystals. As a result we would give an answer on how strong is an effect of CO2 injectivity to induced
salt precipitation.
Studied of the interaction of CO2 and brine with various types of rocks under a wide range of pressures,
temperatures as well as observation of flow through microchannels will be performed by an existing
microfluidic system. Another microfluidic system utilizing Raman spectroscopy will be constructed. That new
system will be used in order to analyze the kinematic and dynamic of the capillary behavior of the brine/CO2
system. It will also be able to distinguish between gaseous CO2 and soluble CO2 and as a result, we would
be able to measure solubility, minimal miscibility pressure, bubble/dew point and determine phase equilibrium
curve.