Geochemical sequestration reactions within the Lamotte Sandstone at five different locations in Missouri

Abstract

Geochemical reactions that may occur on CO2 injection into a sandstone formation in Missouri (MO) were investigated by means of geochemical modeling. Five possible injection sites were considered: two in the northwestern part of the state, two in the northeastearn part, and one in the southwestern part. The Geochemist Workbench software was used to investigate solubility trapping and mineral precipitation. Modeling was performed for two periods: an injection period of 10 yr and a postinjection period where the reactions proceeded to equilibrium. The work presented substantial challenges. Among them are uncertainty in kinetic constants for the dissolution and precipitation of minerals on CO2 injection. Model results include equilibrium values for CO2 stored via solubility trapping ranging from 49-g CO2/kg free formation water in Northeast MO to 78-g CO2/kg free formation water for Southwest MO. Mineral trapping is significantly lower, between 2.6- and 18.4-g CO2/kg free formation water. The model shows siderite and dawsonite as the major carbonate minerals formed, in this order. On a volumetric basis, northwest MO sequestration values were slightly greater than those obtained for northeast MO because of the somewhat greater depth and higher injection pressure at the injection target (Lamotte Sandstone) at the northwestern sites. However, the greater thickness of the aquifer for the northeastern sites provided overall greater sequestration capacity. Greene County was altogether unfit for sequestration because of the low total dissolved solids value of the formation water.