If liquid CO2 is stored as a dense "lake" on the
deep ocean floor, it is expected to dissolve in seawater. Ocean currents and
turbulence may increase the net rate of CO2 release by several orders of magnitude compared to
molecular diffusion. However, density stratification in the seawater created by
dissolved CO2 will
tend to reduce vertical mixing. By comparing results from different model
formulations, this study aims to increase our understanding of the processes in
such a layer of CO2-enriched
seawater, and decrease the uncertainties about storage efficiency and
subsequent environmental impact. The study is also relevant to the case of
saturated water leaking from subseabed geological storage through bottom
sediments.
Author: Lars Inge Enstad, Peter M. Haugan and Guttorm Alendal (Peter dot Haugan at gfi dot uib dot no)
Filesize: 130.35 Kb