DISSOLUTION AND DISPERSION OF A CARBON-DIOXIDE JET IN THE DEEP-OCEAN

The initial dissolution and mixing of a liquid CO2 jet in the deep oce an is predicted with a jet integral mixing model, incorporating CO2 ch emistry. This model incorporates the hydrodynamics of initial dissolut ion and diffusion during the period of time when momentum and kinetic energy of the jet are greater than that of the ambient sea water. The model includes equations of state for CO2 and its dissolution products ; carbonate, bicarbonate and aqueous CO2. Adjustable model parameters include discharge velocity, discharge depth, discharge temperature, an d ambient current velocity. Our study shows that the buoyant rise or d ecent of the plume, and hence initial dilution, is very sensitive to t he density of the CO2/sea water mixture. CO2 dissolution is rapid, wit h most of the liquid CO2 dissolving in the initial 100 seconds. The de nsity of the resultant mixture is strongly affected by the concentrati on of dissolved CO2 which is in turn strongly influenced by entrainmen t. The density difference between ambient sea water and the CO2/sea wa ter mixture increases with depth. For discharges Of CO2 below 1000 m, the jet is negatively buoyant under most initial conditions.