Effects of ultrasonic waves on carbon dioxide solubility in brine at different pressures and temperatures

Abstract

The adverse impacts of CO2 emission on the global warming highlight the importance of carbon capture and storage technology and geological storage of CO2 under solubility trapping mechanisms. Enhancing the solubility of CO2 in formation water has always been the focus of research in the area of CO2 sequestration. Ultrasound techniques are one of the environmentally friendly methods that use high-intensity acoustic waves to improve gas solubility in liquids. Ultrasonic waves can alter the properties of different phases that lead to chemical reactions and provide a means to increase the solubility of CO2 in connate water. In this study, we investigated the effects of ultrasound on the solubility of CO2 in connate water under different conditions of pressure, temperature, and salinity. The results showed that the solubility of CO2 was improved with increasing pressure under ultrasonic effects. However, the solubility of CO2 was inversely proportional to the increase in brine salinity and temperature. Therefore, it was concluded that the solubility of CO2 might be enhanced in the presence of ultrasound.