CO2 CLATHRATE FORMATION AND ITS PROPERTIES IN A SIMULATED DEEP-OCEAN

The following two topics were examined: 1)The conduciveness of conditions for the formation of CO2 clathrate hydrate at ocean depths of 700m and 1,000m with assumption of corresponding depth-temperature profile of the ocean near Japan. 2)The effect of liquid CO2 on an ocean environment at a depth of 3,000m in ambient sea water. Test results concluded that: * While the CO2 clathrate hydrate would form easily at the depths of 700m and 1,000m in the Tsushima ocean current and Oyashio region, it would be difficult in the Kuroshio region due to a slightly higher water temperature. * The amount of CO2 dissolved into sea water at a.depth of 3,000m is proportional to its velocity of injection. * The conditions required for the formation of CO2 clathrate hydrate were clarified.