Fluid dynamics of sinking carbon dioxide hydrate particle releases for direct ocean carbon sequestration

One strategy to remove anthropogenic CO₂ from the atmosphere to mitigate climate change is by direct ocean injection. Liquid CO₂ can react with seawater to form solid partially reacted CO₂ hydrate composite particles (pure hydrate plus unreacted CO₂ and water) with densities several percent above ambient seawater. The most recent field injections at depths of 1500 m in Monterey Canyon resulted in long curved cylinders with diameters - 2.5 cm and lengths up to - 1 m that were observed to sink at - 4 cm/s. This thesis examines whether releasing the partially reacted hydrate particles into the ocean at - 100 kg/s of CO₂ (roughly the output of one 500 MW coal power plant) is able to create sufficient dilution to minimize the impact on marine life. We developed a drag coefficient model for cylindrical particles in free fall. Applying the new drag coefficient model to recently observed field injections to predict their descent, the recently produced field particles were estimated to have had a ~ 16% reaction efficiency and to have sunk 100 m before completely dissolving. Ambient density stratification and currents will also affect particle descent, and in turn the dilution of dissolved CO₂. Three methods of injection of composite particles were evaluated, each with unique merits. Firstly, we can release hydrate particles (with a range of reaction efficiencies) continuously from a moving ship. This is shown to provide excellent dilution of the discharged CO₂. Second, we can release them from a stationary pipe to create a plume that generally sinks further than individual particles.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2008

Author dc:creator

• Chow, Aaron C. (Aaron Chunghin), 1978-

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• E. Eric Adams.

• Civil and Environmental Engineering.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/53109

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/53109