In the rapidly evolving landscape of carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS), one critical challenge stands out: ensuring the safe and efficient transport of CO2. As the energy sector ramps up efforts to mitigate climate change, the need for a standardized approach to monitoring CO2 impurities has become increasingly urgent. A groundbreaking study published in Carbon Capture Science & Technology, translated from the Danish as Carbon Capture Science and Technology, addresses this very issue, offering a framework that could revolutionize the way we handle CO2 transport.
At the heart of this research is Kenneth René Simonsen, an associate professor at AAU Energy, Aalborg University in Denmark. Simonsen and his team have identified key stages in the CCUS process where impurity monitoring is crucial. Their work assesses the impurity thresholds defined by major projects like Northern Lights and Porthos, focusing on corrosion mitigation, energy efficiency, safety, and storage integrity.
“Effective impurity monitoring is not just about regulatory compliance; it’s about ensuring the long-term viability and safety of CCUS infrastructure,” Simonsen explains. “Impurities can significantly impact transport safety, efficiency, and storage performance. Defined concentration limits are essential to mitigate these risks.”
The study proposes a risk-informed monitoring approach, where the frequency and precision of measurements are tailored to the potential impact of each impurity. Water vapor (H2O), for instance, is highlighted as a critical impurity requiring high-frequency monitoring due to its potential to cause corrosion and other operational issues.
One of the most compelling aspects of the research is its comparative analysis of available sensing technologies. The findings reveal that no single method can detect all impurities listed in CO2 specifications. Instead, the study proposes a combined monitoring strategy, leveraging the strengths of various technologies to meet specification requirements.
This research has significant commercial implications for the energy sector. As CCUS deployment accelerates, effective impurity monitoring will be essential for regulatory compliance, operational control, and the development of secure and scalable CO2 transport networks. The proposed framework could help energy companies optimize their operations, reduce costs, and enhance safety.
Simonsen’s work also underscores the importance of CO2 quality compliance at points of ownership handover. “Decisions based on measured impurity concentrations can ensure that each stage of the CCUS process is held accountable for maintaining CO2 quality,” he notes. “This is crucial for building trust and ensuring the success of CCUS projects.”
As the energy sector continues to grapple with the challenges of decarbonization, this research offers a roadmap for addressing one of the most pressing issues in CCUS: impurity monitoring. By providing a standardized approach, Simonsen and his team are paving the way for safer, more efficient, and more scalable CO2 transport networks. The implications for the energy sector are vast, promising to shape the future of carbon capture and storage for years to come. The study was published in Carbon Capture Science & Technology, a journal dedicated to advancing the science and technology of carbon capture, utilization, and storage.