CO2FOREARM

Large-scale implementation of geological carbon sequestration is considered a key asset to limit anthropogenic warming to 1.5 - 2 °C, as set out in the Paris Agreement. This project focuses on a viable alternative represented by injecting CO2 into reactive rock formations, e.g. basalts, to facilitate rapid carbon mineralization, and therefore increase storage security. The particular interest lies in microbially enhanced carbon mineralization: biological catalysts are utilized to alter reaction rates and further enhance carbon mineralization.

The overarching aim of this project’s research is to provide the fundamental understanding and simulation technology required to assess the large-scale deployment of CO2 storage through microbially enhanced carbon mineralization, and hence contribute to climate change mitigation.

The project brings together engineers and environmental scientists from Spain and Italy to undertake a comprehensive research program comprising combined experimental, computational and theoretical investigations.

Conceptual and numerical models are derived for understanding the dominant processes and developing a suitable simulation framework. Computational studies employ various numerical techniques, combining hybrid-scale modeling and conventional CFD to investigate the flow physics and the complex CO2-rock-biomass interactions at pore and sub-pore levels.