Expanding the limits of experimental water-rock interaction: The supercritical laboratory at GNS science

Abstract

The Experimental Geochemistry Laboratory (EGL) at GNS has expanded its capabilities into the supercritical pressuretemperature region through new equipment purchases and the support of funding from the Geothermal: The Next Generation (GNG) programme. With experimental work spanning water-rock interactions, mineral solubilities, scaling/corrosion simulations, and CO2 reinjection, the laboratory contributes to advancing geochemical understanding and industry practices in the geothermal setting. With the expanded capability the lab can conduct such studies at the more extreme temperature and pressure conditions of the supercritical environment. Experimental work at supercritical conditions completed to date includes seawater - basalt interaction, water/brine - greywacke
interaction, CO2 – brine co-injection into greywacke, andmineral solubilities (quartz and anhydrite). These experiments aid in understanding the effects of water-rock interaction at supercritical conditions in geothermal reservoirs and geochemical reactions in future power station infrastructure.