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Pore‐Scale Transition Behavior of Digital Carbonate Rock Dissolution During CO2 Geo‐Sequestration.

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Title: Pore‐Scale Transition Behavior of Digital Carbonate Rock Dissolution During CO2 Geo‐Sequestration.
Authors: Xie, Qiuheng1,2 (AUTHOR), An, Senyou1 (AUTHOR) senyouan@szu.edu.cn, Xie, Heping1 (AUTHOR), Wang, Wendong3 (AUTHOR), Niasar, Vahid2 (AUTHOR)
Source: Water Resources Research. Feb2026, Vol. 62 Issue 2, p1-25. 25p.
Subjects: Dissolution (Chemistry), Reactive flow, Carbon sequestration, Lattice Boltzmann methods, Porosity, Multiscale modeling, Flow velocity, Water-rock interaction
Abstract: Carbon dioxide‐rich brine formation during geological carbon sequestration induces calcite dissolution, governed by the physicochemical coupling of fluid flow, reactive transport, and pore structure evolution. Unveiling the mechanisms that control this dissolution, particularly under varying flow and structural conditions, is essential for predicting CO2 plume migration and ensuring long‐term storage stability. While previous studies have explored these coupled processes, they often lack explicit resolution of fracture‐matrix interactions and are limited by computational scalability. In this study, we present a novel pore‐scale numerical framework that integrates the volumetric lattice Boltzmann method with a GPU‐CUDA parallel computing architecture, enabling efficient simulations of reactive flow in both fracture‐free system and fracture‐matrix system. Results reveal that injection velocity governs dissolution morphology and efficiency, with higher velocities reducing reactivity due to preferential flow, while temperature moderately enhances front heterogeneity but has limited impact on overall dissolution behavior. Based on the dissolution profiles observed in two types of 3D carbonate rock cores, three distinct calcite dissolution regimes (uniform, channel widening, and face dissolution) are identified. Moreover, the normalized permeability‐porosity relationship exhibits a negative correlation with temperature across all cases, except at higher injection velocities in the fracture‐matrix system, where a mixed correlation emerges under the influence of the fracture. Plain Language Summary: Storing carbon dioxide underground is a promising strategy for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. However, this process often leads to the formation of CO2‐rich brine, which can dissolve minerals like calcite within the rock. Such dissolution alters the rock's internal structure and can affect how CO2 moves and is retained underground. In this work, we developed a powerful model to better understand how this mineral dissolution occurs. We used the model to study both a simple rock and a more complex rock that contains a fracture, which is a common feature in real geological formations. Our results show that the velocity at which fluid is injected strongly influences how the rock dissolves. Faster flow tends to make the fluid less reactive, as it quickly escapes through easier pathways. Temperature also affects how the dissolution patterns develop, but to a lesser extent. We identified three main types of dissolution patterns: uniform, channel widening, and face dissolution. These insights can help scientists and engineers design safer and more effective underground CO2 storage systems by predicting how rocks will change during and after CO2 injection. Key Points: Hydrodynamic and thermodynamic effects on calcite dissolution in fracture‐free and fracture‐matrix systems are systematically investigatedThree distinct calcite dissolution regimes in porous media are identified: uniform, channel widening, and face dissolutionTemperature effects on permeability‐porosity show mixed correlations during dissolution at higher injection velocities in the fracture‐matrix system [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Abstract:Carbon dioxide‐rich brine formation during geological carbon sequestration induces calcite dissolution, governed by the physicochemical coupling of fluid flow, reactive transport, and pore structure evolution. Unveiling the mechanisms that control this dissolution, particularly under varying flow and structural conditions, is essential for predicting CO2 plume migration and ensuring long‐term storage stability. While previous studies have explored these coupled processes, they often lack explicit resolution of fracture‐matrix interactions and are limited by computational scalability. In this study, we present a novel pore‐scale numerical framework that integrates the volumetric lattice Boltzmann method with a GPU‐CUDA parallel computing architecture, enabling efficient simulations of reactive flow in both fracture‐free system and fracture‐matrix system. Results reveal that injection velocity governs dissolution morphology and efficiency, with higher velocities reducing reactivity due to preferential flow, while temperature moderately enhances front heterogeneity but has limited impact on overall dissolution behavior. Based on the dissolution profiles observed in two types of 3D carbonate rock cores, three distinct calcite dissolution regimes (uniform, channel widening, and face dissolution) are identified. Moreover, the normalized permeability‐porosity relationship exhibits a negative correlation with temperature across all cases, except at higher injection velocities in the fracture‐matrix system, where a mixed correlation emerges under the influence of the fracture. Plain Language Summary: Storing carbon dioxide underground is a promising strategy for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. However, this process often leads to the formation of CO2‐rich brine, which can dissolve minerals like calcite within the rock. Such dissolution alters the rock's internal structure and can affect how CO2 moves and is retained underground. In this work, we developed a powerful model to better understand how this mineral dissolution occurs. We used the model to study both a simple rock and a more complex rock that contains a fracture, which is a common feature in real geological formations. Our results show that the velocity at which fluid is injected strongly influences how the rock dissolves. Faster flow tends to make the fluid less reactive, as it quickly escapes through easier pathways. Temperature also affects how the dissolution patterns develop, but to a lesser extent. We identified three main types of dissolution patterns: uniform, channel widening, and face dissolution. These insights can help scientists and engineers design safer and more effective underground CO2 storage systems by predicting how rocks will change during and after CO2 injection. Key Points: Hydrodynamic and thermodynamic effects on calcite dissolution in fracture‐free and fracture‐matrix systems are systematically investigatedThree distinct calcite dissolution regimes in porous media are identified: uniform, channel widening, and face dissolutionTemperature effects on permeability‐porosity show mixed correlations during dissolution at higher injection velocities in the fracture‐matrix system [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:00431397
DOI:10.1029/2025WR041604