CO2 Pipeline Phase Control to Prevent Two-Phase Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Carbon dioxide sequestration processes face inefficiencies due to the need for high purity CO2 and the energy penalties associated with compressing and transporting CO2, particularly when impurities lead to two-phase flow in pipelines, resulting in increased pressure drops and power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for controlling operational parameters of CO2 compression surface facilities and pipelines to maintain CO2 in a liquid or supercritical state by determining fluid composition, generating phase analyses, and adjusting pressure and temperature to prevent two-phase flow, using sensors and a control system to optimize pipeline conditions and reduce energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If CO2 is compressed and transported in a gas phase, then it can be easily handled and transported, but pressure drop and power consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies phase transition by maintaining CO2 in a supercritical state (above critical temperature of 31.1°C and critical pressure of 7.38 MPa) during pipeline transport. This supercritical phase combines liquid-like density with gas-like compressibility, reducing pressure drop and power consumption while maintaining ease of handling through controlled temperature and pressure parameters.
2Reliability
If CO2 purity is increased to 99%+, then sequestration efficiency improves, but power plant efficiency decreases due to higher compression penalties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of CO2 to supercritical phase, which allows transport of CO2 with typical power plant purity levels (90-95%) without the need for expensive and energy-intensive purification to 99%+. The supercritical state ensures single-phase flow that prevents contaminant-related two-phase flow issues, thereby maintaining both sequestration efficiency and power plant productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the presence of impurities, which would normally cause two-phase flow and increased pressure drop, into a benefit by operating in the supercritical regime where the phase behavior is less sensitive to composition variations. This allows the system to tolerate higher contaminant levels while maintaining efficient single-phase transport.
3Adaptability or versatility
If CO2 is transported in a two-phase flow, then flexibility in operational conditions is maintained, but pressure drop increases and promotes vapor fraction formation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains CO2 in a supercritical single-phase state during transport by controlling temperature above the critical point (31.1°C) and pressure above the critical pressure (7.38 MPa). This phase transition approach eliminates two-phase flow conditions, preventing the positive feedback mechanism where pressure drop promotes vapor fraction formation, while still allowing operational flexibility through adjustable temperature and pressure parameters within the supercritical region.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach minimizes energy consumption and operational costs by maintaining CO2 in a single-phase state throughout the pipeline, reducing pressure drops and power requirements, while ensuring efficient CO2 transport and storage.
Implementation Method 1
maintain the primarily CO2 stream flowing in the pipeline in a liquid or supercritical state
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems are provided for controlling operational parameters of a CO2 compression surface facility or pipeline in order to maintain a CO2 stream having impurities flowing in the pipeline in a liquid or supercritical phase. Sensors may be provided to sense whether the flow is single-phase or two-phase flow, and feedback provided to adjust the pressure and/or temperature at the pipeline inlet. The system is preferably optimized to limit power consumption and/or cost.