Work

Modeling two-phase multicomponent CO2 mixtures in offshore pipelines under hydraulic shock

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Carbon capture and storage is crucial for reducing emissions from fossil fuel power plants and industries with significant CO 2 production. To ensure safe pipeline design, integrated emergency shutdown systems are implemented, which can induce rapid changes in flow conditions, potentially causing critical pressure spikes and phase transitions, accelerating cavitation and material fatigue. In this work, we used a homogeneous two-phase flow model to evaluate the risk of two-phase flow during a hydraulic shock. The heat transfer between the CO 2 -rich stream and its surroundings is modeled using a heat transfer model with steady-periodic thermal boundary conditions. We considered pure CO 2 and CO 2 mixtures containing impurities obtained from pre-combustion and post-combustion carbon capture technologies. We investigated the influence of impurities, the choice of equation of state, pipeline inclination, and flow closure characteristics. The flow model is approximated using a weighted essentially non-oscillatory scheme coupled with the Harten–Lax–van Leer Contact flux. The model was benchmarked against a Riemann problem, a depressurization scenario, and decompression wave speed measurements, and further validated using pressure pulse data from cavity collapse experiments caused by rapid valve closure in water. The model’s applicability is demonstrated through a case study of an offshore pipeline, utilizing parameters from the Porthos project. Results indicated that CO 2 -rich streams initially in the liquid phase and near the saturation line can trigger vapor formation, but it depends on the impurity content. The results showed to be sensitive for the selected equation of state. • Two-phase flow model verified and validated. • 5th-order WENO finite volume scheme + HLLC flux used for numerical approximation. • Simulated liquid-to-vapor phase transitions during a hydraulic shock. • Effects of impurities, equation of state and flow closure investigated. • Input data of a real offshore pipeline with inclination used in simulations.

Source: International journal of greenhouse gas control

DOI: 10.1016/j.ijggc.2025.104541

Authors: Ferdinand Uilhoorn, Maciej Chaczykowski, Andrzej J. Osiadacz, Tomasz Bleschke, Łukasz Kotyński

Institution: Warsaw University of Technology

Language: English

Topic: Offshore Engineering and Technologies

Subfield: Ocean Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Climate action

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,100