New pressure flow cell to monitor BaSO4 precipitation using synchrotron in situ angle-dispersive X-ray diffraction

Abstract

A flow cell has been commissioned to monitor in situ precipitation reactions under non-ambient conditions. The majority of high-pressure systems use anvils and presses to obtain high pressures around a small reaction area; however, this prototype is unique in that solutions may be examined as they flow through the cell under pressure. The cell is made of single-crystal silicon, which is capable of withstanding the high pressures created by liquid flow within the cell. With the capability of reaching pressures of up to 4 × 107 Pa, the cell is ideal for work on geological and oilfield systems. Here it is used to examine the formation of barium sulfate scale in situ under nonambient conditions using angle-dispersive XRD on beamline X17b1 at the NSLS.