Interfacial tension between CO2 and brine (NaCl + CaCl2) at elevated pressures and temperatures: The additive effect of different salts

An extensive laboratory study was conducted to measure the interfacial tension (IFT) between CO2 and brine consisting in equal molal concentrations of NaCl and CaCl2. The experiments were repeated at various pressures, temperatures and salinities that are representative of conditions prevailing during CO2 storage in deep saline aquifers. The dependence of CO2/brine IFT on pressure and temperature is similar to that previously reported for the systems: CO2/NaCl solution and CO2/CaCl2 solution. CO2/brine IFT increases linearly with water salinity and the magnitude of this increase was found equal to the sum of the individual CO2/NaCl solution and CO2/CaCl2 solution IFT increments, indicating a strong additive effect on IFT when the brine is composed of various salts.

Research highlights
► IFT measurements between CO2 and brine (NaCl + CaCl2) were conducted.
► The total IFT increase is the sum of the individual salt’s IFT increments.
► Exact IFT prediction from the molality of each salt present in the aquifer brine.