Dissolution kinetics of Si and Al from montmorillonite in carbonic acid solution

The reaction between carbonic acid and montmorillonite minerals was studied in order to provide a theoretical basis for analyzing changes in the physical properties of coal seams after CO_(2)injection and for optimizing CO_(2) pumping parameters.A single montmorillonite mineral of purity[90%was selected and subjected to reactions at 25,35,and 45℃in carbonic acid solutions of varying acidity.The Si and Al concentrations in the solutions and the structure and elemental compositions of the montmorillonite before and after the reactions were analyzed using a spectrophotometer,an X-ray diffractometer,and an energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer;kinetic reaction models were established for the dissolution of Si and Al in carbonic acid solutions in order to estimate the apparent activation energy of Si dissolution under different acidity conditions.The results indicate that Al dissolved rapidly and soon reached solubility equilibrium.On the other hand,Si concentration in the solutions increased rapidly and then gradually declined with vibrations,with maximum values at 25,35,and 45℃,which were observed at approximately 96,72,and 48 h,respectively.In addition,Si dissolution fitted the diffusion-controlled reaction model well;as the pH value decreased,the apparent activation energy of Si dissolution decreased,and Si became easier to dissolve.Furthermore,it was concluded that as a weak acid,carbonic acid causes little damage to the mineral structure of montmorillonite.