Calcite-functionalized micromodels for pore-scale investigations of CO₂ storage security

Carbon capture and subsequent storage (CCS) is identified as a necessity to achieve climate commitments. Permanent of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) in subsurface saline aquifers or depleted oil gas reservoirs feasible, but large-scale implementation such has so far been slow. Although sandstone formations are currently most viable for CO sequestration, carbonates play an important role widespread CCS; both due the world-wide abundancy carbonate formations, candidates -EOR with combined storage. Acidification formation brine during injection cause dissolution development reactive flow patterns. Using calcite-functionalization micromodels we experimentally investigate fundamental pore-scale transport dynamics relevant security. Calcite-functionalized, two-dimensional siliconbased, pore scale were used. Calcite precipitation was microbially induced from bacteria Sporosarcina pasteurii calcite grains formed in-situ . This paper details improved procedure achieving controlled space characterizes precipitation/mineralization process. The experimental setup featured temperature-controlled micromodel holder attached automatic scanning stage. A high-resolution microscope enabled full-model (22x27 mm) image at resolution 1.1 µm/pixel within 82 seconds. An in-house developed image-analysis python script used quantify porosity alterations precipitation. calcite-functionalized found replicate natural geometry chemistry, thus may be pore-scale.