Sym8.EQ
Sym8.BK (batch-kinetic)
Sym8.1D/2D
Equilibrium reaction speciation model
Always free
New update coming soon
Redox reactions, basic plotting utilities
License based (annual and quarterly)
Beta version available soon
License based (annual and quarterly)
Expected release in 2027
Sym8.EQ v.1.0 (freeware)
Equilibrium reaction speciation model
Closed-system
Single-volume setup
Charge balance
Alkalinity (total carbonate)
Redox reactions
Activity correction using
(EQ3/6), Debye-Huckel, or Davies equations
Next up:
Gas-water equilibrium
Adsorption
Organic acids and compounds
Relational database manager
(modify reactions and properties)
More graphic visualization utilities
Speciation modeling is about solving a set of equations describing equilibrium reactions among solutes and elemental composition compositions that describe total quantity of elements dissolved in the water.
Charge balance condition, alkalinity, and mineral equilibrium reactions can be used to substitute elemental composition conditions, thereby keeping the mathematical system consistent and complete.
Mineral swap reactions impose a rule that the solution is saturated with respect to the mineral reactions selected. Alkalinity (total carbonate) can be used to substitute either pH or dissolved carbon quantity. Charge balance guarantees the solution to be neutrally charged typically by adjusting Cl- or H+ concentrations.
Redox reactions describing changing oxidation states of reactants use oxygen as the electron donor, and they are also expressed as equilibrium reactions.
Reactions involving organic compounds and acids are treated as redox reactions. In EQ3/6 database they are typically described to involve acetic acid and oxygen as reactants, however their reaction expressions can vary depending on data sources.
Apr. 16, 2026:
No new release: Efforts shifted to completing Sym8.BK
Basic plotting utilities (line/scatter charts and spider/web charts) in development
Sept. 01, 2025:
Version 1.0.2a available for download
Redox reactions, Stage 1:
Redox reactions and reaction pairs capable without the use of Nernst Equation;
User guide installed;
Improved user interface panels.
June 5, 2025:
User interface panels adjusted;
Database modified to include thermodynamic properties of solutes, in preparation of redox (Nernst Equation) usage
March 25, 2025:
Version 1.0.0 available for download
Sym8.BK (batch-kinetic, flexible open/closed systems) coming soon
Equilibrium and kinetic reactions
all of Sym8.EQ features plus:
Kinetic reactions
Petrophysics module (porous media composition and texture change with reaction progress)
Evaporation
Open-system configuration (flow-through reactor chamber: influx and efflux of waters)
Evolutionary environmental conditions: Temperature, rates of evaporation, influx and efflux of waters, and air composition can be varied in time
Sym8 uses dynamic autonomous timestep control. It determines each timestep as it is running. This means the program does not crash because of solution divergence.
Composite media model allows each mineral type to be described using geometric shapes and parameters and its volume fraction in the bulk media. Each mineral composition and textural parameters change as simulation progresses. No mass is lost or created as solutes transform to solids, and vice versa.
Petrophysical properties (porosity, permeability, tortuosity, conductivity, heat capacity, and more) are recalculated as composite media properties change dynamically.
Open-system option allows mass-exchange between the environment and the solution. Variable influx of water and evaporation allows dynamically changing solution chemistry, and associated variability in mineral precipitation and dissolution trends.
Sym8.1D/2D coming in 2027
Reactive-transport using elemental mass-balance approach
Heat flow (advective and conductive)
Fluid flow options (Darcy flow or pressure-driven)
More details forthcoming later this year