CCS: No margin for error

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) hub networks play a critical role in the fight against climate change. By capturing industrial emissions and storing them deep underground, CCS networks reduce the amount of CO₂ released into the atmosphere. But while CCS is vital to a low-carbon future, projects are not always a guaranteed success. From design to operation, CCS projects are complex and costly. The truth is, for projects to be viable, both economically and technically, there’s virtually no margin for error.

Feature article

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Operating costs and profitability 

 

One of the biggest challenges to profitability for CCS operators is managing operating costs, and one of the biggest drivers of those costs is energy usage.

 

To transport CO₂, compression is normally required. Depending on the pressure and flow rates for different pipelines or storage sites, it may even be necessary to heat the fluid to sequester it safely. Pressures, flow rates and impurity levels will constantly vary for many CCS pipelines. Impurities not only contribute to corrosion risks, but they also affect the state of the fluid in the network. 

 

Temperature control and compression or pumping for large scale CCS applications is costly and has a significant effect on OPEX. If an operator lacks real-time insight into how much energy is needed in a CCS network this may lead to operational issues. Controlling the state of the fluid in the network optimally, not only saves energy but can also control chemical reactions which can lead to corrosion, erosion or even injection and storage formation issues.  

 

That’s why real-time energy analysis and management is crucial. Operators need the ability to understand the cost implications of every operational change, whether it’s adjusting temperatures, pressures, flow rates, or starting up a pipeline. With this level of insight, they can make cost-effective decisions without compromising infrastructure integrity or safety and instantly understand the immediate cost of making a change.

Finding the sweet spot for your operations 

 

Operating efficiently and safely is a delicate balance. It’s also a moving target. As new capture sites are added, old infrastructure is decommissioned, or operating conditions shift, the balance between cost and corrosion risk doesn’t stay static – it moves with it. CCS networks blend emissions from a number for emitter sites. Each emitter site’s flow rate and fluid composition can change hourly, daily and seasonally. Whilst instrumentation and analyzers can provide valuable data, it is essential to understand the state of the network at all locations, from the carbon capture facilities right through to and including the storage formation.   

Optimise design and optimise operations

CCS network modelling should factor in emitter output parameters including composition, pipeline characteristics, compressor or pumping site characteristics, injection well characteristics and storage formation information. Digital Twins can help validate and refine designs. Digital Twins can help optimise operations with respect to efficient energy use and corrosion as well as erosion protection.

  1. Digital Twins

    CCS network modelling

     

    Using a digital twin of a whole CCS network allows for values to be calculated where it is not practical to install analysers or instruments. This data gives a holistic end-to end view of valuable data to opti-mise and protect operations. The twin allows for the testing of changes in operational scenarios in ad-vance, guiding operators in the steps to take if required to run efficiently and safely. As many industries take steps towards autonomous operations, digital twins are a key enabler for this journey.

  2. Artificial intelligence (AI)

    Machine learning (ML)

     

    AI and machine learning can help interpret the data in these complex systems. The power to optimize and improve your system’s understanding of corrosion, costs and beyond – using AI – is a game changer for CCS projects. ML allows operators to see how a network has operated previously and predict future operational scenarios.

A breakthrough in corrosion risk analysis

 

ABB has decades of experience delivering and supporting pipeline scope for multiple industries. By recognizing the new challenges that emerging CCS network operators have early on, ABB has been able to develop a solution, ABB’s CCS 360, to address these. 

 

One of the biggest breakthroughs that made it possible is evolving research into the true effects of impurities in CO2 networks, both with respect to corrosion and the impact it has on the phase/state of the fluid being transported and injected. 

Want to find out more?

You can learn more about this research – and how to apply it – in our latest eBook

The full picture of corrosion risk in CCS