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The Role of Fabric in Frictional Properties of Phyllosilicate-Rich Tectonic Faults
Published on: November 6, 2021
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Supercritical CO2 uptake by nonswelling phyllosilicates
Jiamin Wan1, Tetsu K Tokunaga2, Paul D Ashby3
1Energy Geosciences Division, Earth and Environment Sciences Area, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720; jwan@lbl.gov djdepaolo@lbl.gov.
Summary
Supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) unexpectedly enters nonswelling phyllosilicates like muscovite, increasing geologic CO2 storage capacity. This discovery reveals a new trapping mechanism for carbon capture and storage.
Area of Science:
- Geochemistry and Mineralogy
- Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS)
- Subsurface Science
Background:
- Supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) interactions with geologic formations are crucial for CO2 storage, enhanced oil recovery, and geothermal energy.
- While scCO2 effects on swelling clays (smectites) are known, its impact on dominant nonswelling phyllosilicates (illite, muscovite) in shales remains understudied.
- Nonswelling phyllosilicates are prevalent in deep subsurface shales and mudstones, making their interaction with scCO2 critical for understanding subsurface processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) on nonswelling phyllosilicates, specifically illite and muscovite.
- To quantify CO2 uptake by these minerals under deep subsurface conditions.
- To identify potential new mechanisms for CO2 trapping in geologic formations.
Main Methods:
- Single crystal muscovite samples were reacted with scCO2 under elevated pressure and temperature.
- Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used for visualization and surface quantification.
- X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and off-gassing measurements were employed for detailed analysis.
Main Results:
- Observed unexpectedly high CO2 uptake by muscovite, significantly exceeding its macroscopic surface area.
- Evidence suggests CO2 partially entered muscovite interlayers, with preferential dissolution at defects and edges as a likely pathway.
- This excess CO2 uptake can enhance storage capacity by up to ~30% in relevant reservoir rocks.
Conclusions:
- Nonswelling phyllosilicates like muscovite can host significant amounts of CO2 within their interlayers under scCO2 conditions.
- This interlayer CO2 uptake represents a previously unrecognized and significant trapping mechanism for geologic carbon storage.
- Findings have major implications for optimizing CO2 storage capacity and security in deep subsurface reservoirs.
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