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Temperature response during rapid depressurization of CO2 in a pipe: Experiments and fluid-dynamics modelling

Abstract

The temperature evolution of CO2 during full-bore pipe depressurization events is relevant for risk assessment,
e.g., for CO2 transport in the context of CO2 capture and storage (CCS). We analyse and model the temperature
evolution for four different initial temperatures between 𝑇0 = 4.6 ◦C and 𝑇0 = 40 ◦C at supercritical pressures.
All the experiments showed an analogous temperature evolution, reaching similar minimum temperatures along
the pipe. The warmer the initial temperature, the earlier dry-out and faster temperature recovery was observed.
Also, the coldest experiment showed evidence of formation of more dry ice.
We employ the homogeneous equilibrium model (HEM) with different heat-transfer correlations and a two-fluid model (TFM) with different slip models in order to understand the observed data. The results indicate
that the heat transfer changes significantly with different thermodynamic states for the CO2. Also, the HEM
and the TFM with a RELAP-type friction model performed reasonably well at the outlet and at the closed end
of the pipe, but none of the tested models were able to fully describe the strong spatial and temporal gradients observed along the pipe during the depressurization.

Category

Academic article

Client

  • Research Council of Norway (RCN) / 257579
  • Research Council of Norway (RCN) / 225868

Language

English

Affiliation

  • SINTEF Energy Research / Gassteknologi

Year

2025

Published in

International Journal of Multiphase Flow

ISSN

0301-9322

Volume

192

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