Review on in-situ CO2 mineralization sequestration: mechanistic understanding and research frontiers

Abstract The substantial emissions of greenhouse gases, particularly CO 2 , constitute a primary driver of global warming. CCUS is proposed as an effective mitigation strategy which is often estimated to account for about 15% of cumulative carbon emission reduction. In-situ CO 2 mineralization sequestration, compared to conventional geological storage methods such as depleted oil and gas reservoirs, unmineable coal seams, and deep saline aquifers, offers the advantage of permanent immobilization of injected carbon. However, uncertainties persist regarding the characteristics of geochemical interactions under reservoir pore conditions, as well as the kinetic mechanisms of mineralization reactions. Additionally, geochemical reactions may lead to solid particle transport and deposition, potentially causing pore throat occlusion. Pilot projects in Iceland and the United States have demonstrated the feasibility of this technology, but the field remains in the early deployment stage. In this review, the mechanisms of in-situ mineralization have been elucidated, the primary factors influencing the reaction kinetics have been discussed, and the current research status in this field has been summarized. It is emphasized that establishing a reliable system for evaluating storage capacity and understanding the kinetic mechanisms governing CO 2 conversion into minerals at multi-phase interfaces are key priorities for future work.