New pressure flow cell to monitor BaSO₄ precipitation using synchrotron in situ angle-dispersive X-ray diffraction

A flow cell has been commissioned to monitor in situ precipitation reactions under non-ambient conditions. The majority of high-pressure systems use anvils and presses to obtain high pressures around a small reaction area; however, this prototype is unique in that solutions may be examined as they flow through the cell under pressure. The cell is made of single-crystal silicon, which is capable of withstanding the high pressures created by liquid flow within the cell. With the capability of reaching pressures of up to 4 × 10⁷ Pa, the cell is ideal for work on geological and oilfield systems. Here it is used to examine the formation of barium sulfate scale in situ under nonambient conditions using angle-dispersive XRD on beamline X17b1 at the NSLS.