Droplet plume

The droplet plume technique is one of the solutions envisaged for storing CO₂ in the oceans after it is captured.

The droplet plume principle

This technique is based on the fact that liquid carbon dioxide is less dense than sea water at intermediary depths, and that sea water enriched with dissolved CO₂ is denser than normal sea water.

Consequently, when liquid CO₂ or liquid CO₂ mixed with gaseous CO₂ is injected at a depth of about 1,000 metres from the coast or a gas tanker, floating droplets of CO₂ form. An ascending plume of droplets is then created, which is conducive to the dispersion and dissolution of CO₂ in sea water. The water, enriched with carbon dioxide, is denser and dives into the depths.

A technique that benefits ecology

By privileging the most turbulent injection zones, with the quickest currents, the dispersion of CO₂ (harmful to marine organisms) is maximised and the local drop in pH is limited. The Droplet plume technique should therefore have a lower ecological impact than the Dense plume technique.

The CO₂ dissolved in the sea water returns to the carbon cycle and, after a few centuries, returns to the atmosphere.

Limits of this technique

Besides the questions concerning its environmental effects, the injection of CO₂ into the oceans poses a legal problem: the London Convention prohibits the dumping of waste at sea. The question is whether or not CO₂ can be considered to be waste and therefore whether or not this convention applies.