Mineral dissolution is a critical phenomenon in many geochemical systems, including those of geologic CO2 storage. It affects the mobilization, fate and transport of toxic metals in subsurface waters. This study illustrates the use of a small-scale flow-through system in determining dissolution rates and simulating mineral-water interactions under a wide range of conditions (P<300 bar; T<150 �C). The system enables rapid achievement of steady-state rates, minimizes the experimental time to study such mineral-water systems, and is inexpensive. The reliability of the setup was tested for the oxidative dissolution of arsenopyrite (FeAsS). Its validity was established by determining rates of arsenic release induced by dissolved Fe3+ (10-4 M). The resulting As dissolution rate of 10-8.6 mol/m2s at 25 �C, and 1 atm was comparable to previously established values. Potential mass-transfer limitations associated with the system were studied and results indicate such limitations can be avoided at flow-rates higher than 0.4 ml/min.

Small-scale, flow-through column system to determine rates of mineral dissolution at high temperature and pressure

245th National Meeting (2013)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.