Review on laboratory studies of pore-scale salt precipitation during carbon storage

Salt precipitation in saline aquifers during CO₂ sequestration significantly reduces formation porosity and permeability (reaching 40 % and 70 %, respectively), ultimately influencing CO₂ storage. This review explores recent experimental advances in understanding pore-scale salt precipitation, focusing on core-flooding and microfluidic experiments. We outlined the stages of salt precipitation and analyzed two crystalline forms: bulk crystals and polycrystalline aggregates. We also described two distribution patterns (local and homogeneous) and their occurrence conditions, and discussed key influencing factors including rock properties, fluid characteristics, gas injection rates, CO₂ phases and boundary conditions. Finally, we assessed current research limitations and proposed potential directions for future.