Overview of CO2 Ocean Sequestration Project

Overview of CO₂ Ocean Sequestration Project

Concept of CO₂ Ocean Sequestration

CO₂ Ocean Sequestration is one of the CCS (Carbon Capture & Storage) technologies. RITE researches and develops CO₂ Ocean Sequestration using Moving Ship Method. This method targets pure CO₂ captured from large emission sources (e.g., power plants). This CO₂ is sequestrated from the atmosphere to be injected into the layer of about 2000m. This technology has an excellent performance of CO₂ dilution, mobility and extendibility. Especially, an excellent dilution efficiency to lower CO₂ concentration in wide area is achieved by control of CO₂ droplet size with nozzle, rising and dissolution of droplets as natural phenomena, and discharge of CO₂ droplet in cruising. Therefore, it is thought that the CO₂ Ocean Sequestration using Moving Ship Method is an effective technology for mitigate the impact on ocean environment.

The Activities of Our Project

Second Phase of CO₂ Ocean Sequestration Project has been executed by RITE since FY2002. The target R&D of the first 5 year for the implementation of CO₂ ocean sequestration was to develop the environmental assessment methodology, evaluation of technical effectiveness and dilution methodology. The R&D of prediction technology of CO₂ behavior in the ocean and the evaluation technology of CO₂ impact on the ecosystem began in 2007. The following table introduces the research and development theme until FY2006.

Development of environmental assessment methodologies : The target of this theme is to clarify the acute impact of CO₂ on marine animals of the mid and deep layer. We conducted field observation for understanding the physical- and chemical-environment and ecosystem in the mid and deep ocean. Moreover, we conducted the laboratory experiment for understanding the acute impact of CO₂ on various marine animals.

Evaluation of effectiveness of the CO₂ Ocean Sequestration : The evaluation of CO₂ ocean sequestration ability evaluation and the prediction of ocean acidification etc. are studied.

Development of dilution technologies : This theme has two important technologies for CO₂ ocean sequestration by Moving Ship method. One is the infrastructure technology for CO₂ injection into the ocean, such as release nozzle and transport pipe, and the other is the prediction technology for CO₂ dilution and dispersion in the ocean. We conducted various experiments using a high-pressure large chamber and a large water tank, observation of physical environment of the ocean, and numerical simulation using super computers for the R&D of these subjects.

CO₂ Ocean Sequestration Project

Concept of CO₂ Ocean Sequestration CO₂ Ocean Sequestration is one of the CCS (Carbon Capture & Storage) technologies. RITE researches and develops CO₂ Ocean Sequestration using Moving Ship Method. This method targets pure CO₂ captured from large emission sources (e.g., power plants). This CO₂ is sequestrated from the atmosphere to be injected into the layer of about 2000m. This technology has an excellent performance of CO₂ dilution, mobility and extendibility. Especially, an excellent dilution efficiency to lower CO₂ concentration in wide area is achieved by control of CO₂ droplet size with nozzle, rising and dissolution of droplets as natural phenomena, and discharge of CO₂ droplet in cruising. Therefore, it is thought that the CO₂ Ocean Sequestration using Moving Ship Method is an effective technology for mitigate the impact on ocean environment. The Activities of Our Project Second Phase of CO₂ Ocean Sequestration Project has been executed by RITE since FY2002. The target R&D of the first 5 year for the implementation of CO₂ ocean sequestration was to develop the environmental assessment methodology, evaluation of technical effectiveness and dilution methodology. The R&D of prediction technology of CO₂ behavior in the ocean and the evaluation technology of CO₂ impact on the ecosystem began in 2007. The following table introduces the research and development theme until FY2006.
Development of environmental assessment methodologies	:	The target of this theme is to clarify the acute impact of CO₂ on marine animals of the mid and deep layer. We conducted field observation for understanding the physical- and chemical-environment and ecosystem in the mid and deep ocean. Moreover, we conducted the laboratory experiment for understanding the acute impact of CO₂ on various marine animals.
Evaluation of effectiveness of the CO₂ Ocean Sequestration	:	The evaluation of CO₂ ocean sequestration ability evaluation and the prediction of ocean acidification etc. are studied.
Development of dilution technologies	:	This theme has two important technologies for CO₂ ocean sequestration by Moving Ship method. One is the infrastructure technology for CO₂ injection into the ocean, such as release nozzle and transport pipe, and the other is the prediction technology for CO₂ dilution and dispersion in the ocean. We conducted various experiments using a high-pressure large chamber and a large water tank, observation of physical environment of the ocean, and numerical simulation using super computers for the R&D of these subjects.