FEASIBILITY OF LARGE-SCALE OCEAN CO2 SEQUESTRATION

Brewer, Peter G. ; Barry, James

Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (United States)

关键词: Carbon Dioxide;    Feasibility Studies;    Dissolution;    Hydration;    Reaction Kinetics;   

DOI  :  10.2172/836612
RP-ID  :  NONE
RP-ID  :  FC26-00NT40929
RP-ID  :  836612

美国|英语

来源: UNT Digital Library

【 摘 要 】

The past year has been one of continued high productivity and technical innovation for research conducted under support of this contract. We report here on the successful completion of development of a deep-ocean laser Raman spectrometer, and the use of this novel system for direct in situ measurement of the dissolution rate of CO{sub 2} from a N{sub 2}/CO{sub 2} gas mixture at 300m ocean depth. We have carried out the deepest ever ocean CO{sub 2} injection experiment at 3960m depth, and have observed the behavior of the plume of low pH/high CO{sub 2} water emanating from this source. This was made possible by the design, construction, and operation of a novel flume to contain the liquid CO{sub 2} and to force flow in a controlled manner over the liquid CO{sub 2} surface. In carrying out this experiment we observed for the first time the extraordinarily rapid hydration kinetics of CO{sub 2} with water at high pressure. This initial observation was later confirmed in a carefully controlled series of acid and CO{sub 2} injection studies at varying depths. In carrying out this research we are aware of the environmental concerns, and we have been in the forefront of identifying the challenges resulting from the far greater quantities of CO{sub 2} being passively absorbed from the atmosphere. This quantity now is approximately 1 million metric tons CO{sub 2} per hour, and reasonable projections for the 21st century project ocean pH changes of 0.3 or more by mid-century. The PIs have played a key role in organizing a major international meeting on this topic, and on reporting the results. We are now engaged in developing the novel techniques required to investigate this problem.