Chemically Enhanced Convective Dissolution of ${\mathrm{CO}}_2$

Convective dissolution, one of the main mechanisms for geological storage of ${\mathrm{CO}}_2$, occurs when supercritical or gas ${\mathrm{CO}}_2$ dissolves partially into an aqueous solution, thus triggering downward convection of the denser ${\mathrm{CO}}_2$-enriched liquid. Chemical reaction in the liquid can greatly enhance the process. Here, experimental measurements of convective flow inside a cylinder filled with a sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution show that the plume's velocity can be increased tenfold as compared to a situation with no NaOH. This tremendous effect is predicted by a model with no adjusting parameters.