Comments on: Electricity From Lake Kivu

By: Ronald Brakels

Ronald Brakels — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 04:53:00 +0000

When water is brought up to the surface the lower pressure causes methane and CO2 to bubble out of it. CO2 is more water soluble than methane and more would stay in the water and this CO2 laden water is released into the surface water of the lake. This process does release CO2 into the atmosphere from the surface of the lake, but it’s going to be released into the atmosphere anyway at some point if nothing is done. It’s not going to increase the chance of an explosive eruption occuring as the CO2 at the surface can freely escape into the atmosphere. As the project could probably produce a fairly pure stream of CO2 it could be a useful feedstock in the future, but as the article mentions it’s currently difficult to get investment in the region.

By: Rhodomel Meads

Rhodomel Meads — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 16:40:00 +0000

It makes no sense to pump back the CO2 into the lake where it could reach saturation quickly. If they trickle release the CO2 into the atmosphere, it should pose no threat to nearby inhabitants.

By: JustSaying

JustSaying — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 11:56:00 +0000

Since they plan to pump the CO2 back into the surface water, it will either vent or not solve the CO2 saturation problem. This project crys out for a CCS attachment.