In the race to achieve China’s ambitious “dual carbon” goals, a critical technology is emerging from the shadows, poised to revolutionize the energy sector. Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) is rapidly gaining traction as a cornerstone for significant carbon emission reductions. At the heart of this technological leap lies the development of supercritical CO2 pipeline transmission, a field where China is playing catch-up but making significant strides.
Duihong Zhang, a leading expert from PipeChina Institute of Science and Technology, has published a comprehensive study in the journal ‘You-qi chuyun’ (which translates to ‘Oil and Gas Pipeline’). The research delves into the current state and future prospects of supercritical CO2 pipeline transmission in China, highlighting both the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
Unlike Europe and the United States, China is relatively new to the game of long-distance supercritical CO2 pipelines. Currently, the country has just one operational dense phase CO2 pipeline, connecting facilities of Sinopec Qilu Petrochemical Company with Shengli Oilfield. Two more projects, by PetroChina Daqing Petrochemical Company and Sinopec Jilin Oil Products Company, are in the preliminary design phase. However, this is just the beginning.
“China is at a critical juncture,” Zhang explains. “We have the technical expertise, but we need to address challenges in pilot testing and enhance our theoretical models. This will pave the way for extensive and robust CO2 pipeline networks in the future.”
The commercial implications are vast. As China accelerates its CCUS efforts, the demand for efficient CO2 pipeline transmission will surge. This technology is not just about reducing carbon emissions; it’s about creating a new infrastructure that can support a greener energy sector. It’s about enabling industries to capture and store CO2, turning a pollutant into a resource.
Imagine a future where CO2 is not a byproduct to be disposed of, but a valuable commodity to be transported and utilized. This is the future that supercritical CO2 pipeline transmission is paving the way for. It’s a future where industries can achieve significant carbon reductions, not just for environmental compliance, but for economic gain.
However, the path is not without challenges. China needs to establish a comprehensive technical standard system and advance engineering applications to demonstrate related technologies. But with experts like Zhang leading the charge, the future looks promising.
As Zhang puts it, “The pace of CO2 pipeline construction in China will increase. We are on the cusp of a golden development opportunity.”
The research published in ‘You-qi chuyun’ serves as a roadmap, guiding China’s journey in supercritical CO2 pipeline transmission. It’s a journey that will shape the future of the energy sector, not just in China, but globally. As the world watches, China is set to make its mark in this critical field, turning the tide in the fight against climate change.
