New Paper

Date: 20/08/2025 

A new paper on“A 3D Darcy-scale reactive transport modeling of experimental wormhole formation in limestone under geological CO2 storage conditions” is now out in the International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control. This work develops 3D darcy-scale reactive transport models of acidic fluid injections (including CO2-rich water and HCl solution) into a permeable limestone. These models feature heterogeneous rock permeability distribution resolved from high-resolution X-ray micro-computed tomography (µCT). We show that small-scale pore space heterogeneity controls chemical reactions from the very beginning of acid injections while the acid type becomes progressively important as the reaction front further penetrates the rock. In particular, strong feedback between fluid flow, transport and chemical reactions during CO2-rich water injection drives wormhole formation in the rock. We discuss how the obtained results can be scaled up to field injections. Understanding the effect of small-scale heterogeneities on fluid flow in porous media at scale provides more accurate predictions of CO2 flow and storage behavior in the subsurface. ‎