Calcium Carbonate Mineralization in a Confined Geometry

Injection of CO₂ in porous aquifers, where mineralization takes place via chemical reactions, is one possible long-term solution considered for storage of this greenhouse gas. This mineralization is investigated here experimentally in a confined geometry by injecting radially an aqueous solution of carbonate into a solution of calcium ions to produce solid calcium carbonate. Various precipitation patterns are observed depending on the injection rate and concentrations of the reactants. The pattern properties are quantified to analyze the influence of the growth conditions on mineralization. We show the existence of critical concentrations of reactants, which are functions of the flow rate, above which the amount of precipitate drops significantly