A research team at the University of Texas at Austin is seeking to patent a technique for rapid formation of CO₂ hydrates which can bury CO₂ in the ocean and prevent release into the atmosphere. The team has reported a sixfold increase in the hydrate formation rate compared with previous methods ― without the harmful chemical accelerants those methods require.

Team leader Vaibhav, Professor in the Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering, says hydrates are attractive carbon storage options since the seabed offers stable thermodynamic conditions which protects them from decomposing. Magnesium acts as a catalyst that eliminates the need for chemical promoters.

This is aided by high flow rate bubbling of CO₂ in a specific reactor configuration. This technology works well with seawater, which makes it easier to implement because it doesn’t rely on complex desalination processes to create fresh water.

Professor Bahadur states that while they represent a “plan B” for gigascale carbon storage, hydrates could become “plan A” if some of the main issues relating to slow and energy-intensive formations can be overcome. He says, “We’ve shown that we can quickly grow hydrates without using any chemicals that offset the environmental benefits of carbon capture. For them to be a major piece of the carbon storage pie, we need the technology to grow them rapidly and at scale”

Today, the most common carbon storage method involves injecting carbon dioxide into underground reservoirs. While this technique has the dual benefits of trapping carbon and also increasing oil production, potential issues include CO₂ leakage and migration, groundwater contamination, and seismic risks associated with injection. Many parts of the world also lack suitable geologic features for reservoir injection.

The team is considering a start-up to commercialise the technology.