Data for "Salt Precipitation and Clogging During Gas Injection in Fractured Porous Media""

Storing carbon dioxide and other energy-related gases, such as hydrogen and natural gas, deep underground is almost an inevitable solution to slow down global warming and switch to clean energy. Ensuring high injectivity of gases in rocks is crucial to store the gases safely and effectively. During the gas injection process in saline aquifers, one of the most suitable sites for underground gas storage, salt precipitation within the rock significantly reduces injectivity. Fractures in rocks are main flow paths and how salt blocks gas flow in fractured rocks needs to be further investigated. We employ the microfluidics technique, which enables direct observation of the gas injection and salt precipitation process in a fractured micromodel. Experimental results reveal the relevant pore-scale mechanisms during the fluid displacement, brine drying, and salt precipitation process in fractured porous media. Two types of microscopic salt forms are observed, which exhibit different nucleation conditions and growth characteristics. The growth mechanisms and distribution of these two salt forms affect their impact on the injectivity. In addition, the impact of injection and environmental conditions on the clogging of the media is evaluated. These findings help us explore strategies to reduce the effects of salt precipitation on injectivity.