Multiscale design and analysis of CO2 capture, transport and storage networks

CO2 capture, transport and storage (CCTS) is gaining a broad interest as a countermeasure to global warming. The systematic development of CCTS network infrastructure is a non trivial activity that involves choosing the optimum design of the selected CO2 capture plant technology and transportation mode, and identifying the key performance operating parameters and limiting uncertainties that need to be mitigated or optimized to ensure a safe cost-optimal network. This thesis focuses on developing a systematic multiscale modelling and optimization approach that integrates validated sub-process models of the MEA-based CO2 capture plant, compression train and pipelines in which thermodynamic properties were calculated using SAFT-VR with the supply-chain CO2 network model. A number of simulations were performed to analyse and identify the cost-optimal design and operating variables while considering different CO2 prices, flue gas bypass option and uncertainty in transporting flow temperature and composition. A meta model that combines the results of the fine scale model was then used in the supply chain network model to successfully determine the cost-optimal CCTS network for a case study in Abu Dhabi. A key result of the thesis was that the cost- optimal degree of capture is a function of several site-specific factors, including exhaust gas characteristics, proximity to transportation networks, adequate geological storage capacity, CO2 price, and the option to partially bypass flue gas. A higher CO2 price had a clear impact on encouraging higher degree of capture. The flue gas bypass option was seen to be an optimal option for lower than 60% degree of capture. It was also observed that transportation companies should levy a charge to discourage transporting flow from low CO2 content sources. This thesis serves to underscore the need to comprehend the science governing the behaviour at different scales and the importance of a whole-system analysis of potential CCTS networks.Open Acces