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CCUS
Addressing CCUS flow management Image Credit : TÜV SÜD National Engineering Laboratory
challenges Dr Chris Mills, senior consultant engineer at TÜV SÜD National Engineering Laboratory, discusses carbon capture, utilisation and storage flow measurement challenges, the selection of the most appropriate flow meter technology and the importance of developing comprehensive regulations and standards to underpin the successful implementation of CCUS. T EACH STAGE in the Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) infrastructure, accurate measurement of the carbon dioxide (CO2) flow rate is required. These measurements can occur over a range of temperatures, pressures, flow rates and fluid phases, and must be validated through a credible traceability chain. The traceability chain provides the underpinning confidence required to verify meter performance, financial and fiscal transactions, and environmental compliance. Unfortunately, there is currently a lack of
Fluid properties of CO2 Carbon dioxide is a fairly unique fluid, and its properties present several measurement challenges. At ambient temperature and pressure, CO2 is in a gaseous state and its flow measurement is relatively straightforward. However, above the critical point of 31.1 C, and 73.9 bar CO2 becomes supercritical,
Image Credit : TÜV SÜD National Engineering Laboratory
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traceable gas CO2 and liquid CO2 flow measurement facilities and associated flow measurement standards, which is a significant barrier to the successful implementation of CCUS projects worldwide.
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oilreview.me
Issue 2 2023
Dr Chris Mills, senior consultant engineer at TÜV SÜD National Engineering Laboratory.
Carbon dioxide is a fairly unique fluid, and its properties present several measurement challenges.” exhibiting properties which are hybrid between gas and liquid. Operating near the critical point can present significant technical challenges as small changes in temperature and pressure may result in large changes in fluid properties. The phase diagram for CO2 and the anticipated operating range for the CCUS chain are shown in Figure 1. Each of the four phases may present different measurement challenges and maintaining the desired fluid phase may also be problematic. The possibility of phase change is further exacerbated by the likelihood of impurities being present in the CO2 stream, which may cause significant shifts in phase boundaries, the critical point, and specifically the two-