Mauro Passarella

The laboratory offers a wide range of experimental equipment to investigate mineral replacement and dissolution reactions at conditions ranging from Earth surface weathering to deep-crustal hydrothermal, in rock- and fluid-dominated, open and closed systems. The integrated post-experimental analysis of recovered fluid and solid samples is conducted in collaboration with LabELISA, ELMILAB, and through external research collaborations. The current research focus lies on metal release and transport, CO₂ sequestration, and feedback mechanisms between coupled reactions.  

• Continuous-flow hydrothermal reactor

PARR Instruments™ custom-built hydrothermal reactor capable of continuous-flow hydrothermal fluid-solid experiments up to conditions of 400˚C and 400 bar. All wetted parts are built from C276 and Ta-coated T316, thus offering strong resistance to corrosion. The fluid-delivery system comprises a VINDUM VP-6K-HC High-Pressure Metering Pump (flowrate: 0.00002 – 54 mL/min) and a SFT-10 constant flow/constant pressure dual piston supercritical CO₂ pump made by Supercritical Fluid Technologies, INC. (flowrate: 0.01 to 24.0 mL/min, and P: 10 to 10,000 psi, and constant PC data logging). CO₂ dissolution is achieved in a stirred 250 mL water-cooled high-pressure mixing reactor. Continuous logging of pressure and temperature data from three thermocouples and two pressure transducers, as well as up- and downstream fluid sampling ports allow for complete monitoring of reaction parameters. A DEGASi 6-channel degasser system has been added for hydrothermal flow experiments at low fO₂ conditions relevant for deep-crustal fluid flow systems.

• Compact stirred high-pressure reactors

Two series 5500 HP Stirred Compact Reactors (PARR Instruments™) offer closed system hydrothermal fluid-rock interaction experimental capabilities up to 350 ˚C and 200 bar. Wetted parts (dip tube, stirrer, thermocouple, liner) are composed of grade-2 titanium. The reactors are equipped with liquid and gas sampling ports connected to a 1 mL Vici sampling loop. An additional gas-inlet port allows for experiments in e.g., N₂ or Ar atmospheres and closed-system carbonation experiments.

• Closed system acid digestion vessels

Closed system vessels represent the simplest hydrothermal reactors but nevertheless offer exciting capabilities for large-scale screening and time-series experiments. The vessels are fitted with PTFE liners (T_max: 220˚C) with few additional PPL liners (T_max: 280˚C) for higher temperature experiments at vapor pressure. Three VWR forced convection ovens allow for simultaneous experiments at three different temperatures, one of which is equipped with a custom-built N₂-purged vacuum chamber for experiments in O₂-free atmosphere.