Mechanism, Modeling and Challenges of Geological Storage of Supercritical Carbon Dioxide

Wang, Shun; Jin, Kan; Zhao, Wei; Ding, Luojia; Zhang, Jingning; Xu, Di

doi:10.3390/en18164338

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Mechanism, Modeling and Challenges of Geological Storage of Supercritical Carbon Dioxide

by

Shun Wang

^1,2,

Kan Jin

^1,2,*

,

Wei Zhao

^3,*

,

Luojia Ding

^1,2,

Jingning Zhang

^1,2 and

Di Xu

^1,2

¹

College of Energy Environment and Safety Engineering, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou 310018, China

²

College of Carbon Metrology, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou 310018, China

³

School of Emergency Management and Safety Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology—Beijing, Beijing 100083, China

^*

Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Energies 2025, 18(16), 4338; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18164338

Submission received: 22 July 2025 / Revised: 9 August 2025 / Accepted: 13 August 2025 / Published: 14 August 2025

(This article belongs to the Section B: Energy and Environment)

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Abstract

CO₂ geological storage (CGS) is critical for mitigating emissions in hard-to-abate industries under carbon neutrality. However, its implementation faces significant challenges. This paper examines CO₂-trapping mechanisms and proposes key safety measures: the continuous monitoring of in situ CO₂ migration and formation pressure dynamics to prevent remobilization, and pre-injection lithological analysis to assess mineral trapping potential. CO₂ injection alters reservoir stresses, inducing surface deformation; understanding long-term rock mechanics (creep, damage) is paramount. Thermomechanical effects from supercritical CO₂ injection pose risks to caprock integrity and fault reactivation, necessitating comprehensive, multi-scale, real-time monitoring for leakage detection. Geostatistical analysis of well log and seismic data enables realistic subsurface characterization, improving numerical model accuracy for risk assessment. This review synthesizes current CGS knowledge, analyzes technical challenges, and aims to inform future site selection, operations, and monitoring strategies.

Keywords: CO₂ geological storage; trapping mechanisms; surrounding rock deterioration; CGS simulation methods; in-site monitoring

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MDPI and ACS Style

Wang, S.; Jin, K.; Zhao, W.; Ding, L.; Zhang, J.; Xu, D. Mechanism, Modeling and Challenges of Geological Storage of Supercritical Carbon Dioxide. Energies 2025, 18, 4338. https://doi.org/10.3390/en18164338

AMA Style

Wang S, Jin K, Zhao W, Ding L, Zhang J, Xu D. Mechanism, Modeling and Challenges of Geological Storage of Supercritical Carbon Dioxide. Energies. 2025; 18(16):4338. https://doi.org/10.3390/en18164338

Chicago/Turabian Style

Wang, Shun, Kan Jin, Wei Zhao, Luojia Ding, Jingning Zhang, and Di Xu. 2025. "Mechanism, Modeling and Challenges of Geological Storage of Supercritical Carbon Dioxide" Energies 18, no. 16: 4338. https://doi.org/10.3390/en18164338

APA Style

Wang, S., Jin, K., Zhao, W., Ding, L., Zhang, J., & Xu, D. (2025). Mechanism, Modeling and Challenges of Geological Storage of Supercritical Carbon Dioxide. Energies, 18(16), 4338. https://doi.org/10.3390/en18164338

Note that from the first issue of 2016, this journal uses article numbers instead of page numbers. See further details here.

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