David Berstad
Research Scientist- Name
- David Berstad
- Title
- Research Scientist
- Phone
- 411 44 876
- Department
- Gas Technology
- Office
- Trondheim
- Company
- SINTEF Energi AS
The task is looking to use liquefaction to optimise the transport condition of CO2, thus making liquification a mandatory processing stage in the interface between capture and transport. To do this, an efficient CO2 liquefier process will be derived. Important criteria are energy- and cost efficiency adhering to transport specifications and safety.
As describes in CO2 value chain and legal aspects (Task 1) , CO2 transport is an important piece of the value CCS value chain. We are looking to use liquefaction to optimise the transport condition of CO2. To do this, we need to derive an efficient CO2 liquefier process designs.
As described in Task 1, shipping of CO2 is most likely to be the preferred mean of transport. Hence, liquefaction will be a mandatory processing stage in the interface between capture and transport, thus playing an imperative role in the CSS value chain. Important design criteria are therefore energy- and cost efficiency adhering to transport specifications, and safety.
As a proof of concept, a pilot rig for CO2 liquefaction with 10–15 t CO2/day capacity is under commissioning, financed under the ECCSEL programme.
Through its research, the this task will provide other tasks with important insight like:
Several of our activities, such as process modelling and simulation, is of relevance to potential suppliers of post-, oxy- and pre-combustion capture units, as well as critical components thereof. Further, it is also of general relevance to shipping companies that are potential shippers of liquid CO2 between the points of capture and unloading.
During 2019, we made a theoretical basis for CO2 liquefaction experiments relevant for full-scale cases for low-pressure transport of liquid CO2. From this we know how to operate the rig to obtain the desired test conditions, and what to expect in the experiments. An outline of an experimental plan for low-pressure CO2 liquefaction was also made.
In the MACH2 spinoff project (a spinoff from Task 4) we worked out the necessary upgrades of the CO2 liquefaction facility to run experiments with flammable
and poisonous components, which is required to investigate syngas/retentate separation in hydrogen production. Most of the upgrades were also completed in 2019 and January 2020, except some electrical work and implementation of safety systems that has been postponed until after the first NCCS Task 4 experiments are finished. Moreover, an external refrigeration cycle was installed and various upgrades to increase the rigs flexibility and accuracy have been implemented. These upgrades allow us to operate the rig such that we obtain the desired test conditions in both NCCS and MACH2, and increases the accuracy of the results.
Now that the rig is back in operation, several experiments will be conducted. Task 4 will demonstrate the feasible pressures at which liquid CO2 can be produced and the practical limit with respect to solid CO2 formation. The experiments will increase the confidence in low-pressure liquid CO2 transport chains. A lower CO2 transport pressure has several benefits (e.g. increased liquid CO2 density, possibility to use larger and lighter tanks, better ship hull utilization) that can reduce the transport costs significantly. In MACH2, the first proof-of-concept for efficient CO2 separation and purification from H2-selective membrane retentate gas mixtures is being prepared to pave the way for further development towards an integrated membrane/low-temperature pilot.
The main activity was to provide an overview of the relevant inlet and outlet boundary conditions and specifications (compositions, temperature, pressure etc.) to which CO2 liquefaction processes must adhere. The gathering of information was done by data collection from other deliverables where available, as well as by communication with other NCCS tasks.
Examples of inlet boundary specifications are: CO2 captured from post-combustion capture with relatively high purity, and CO2-enriched synthesis gas retentate from protonic membrane reforming (PMR). Outlet specifications are mainly high-pressure CO2 for pipeline transport and liquid CO2 for ship transport. Low-temperature CO2 processing and its adherence to the various boundary conditions in post- and pre-combustion applications was given an initial consideration.
In parallel with the NCCS work, the task core group is involved in the construction and commissioning of a laboratory pilot infrastructure for low-temperature CO2 separation and liquefaction, funded through the ECCSEL infrastructure programme. The infrastructure has a capacity in the range 5–15 ton CO2 per day, and can operate down to around -55°C temperature range and up to 120 bar pressure. Upon completion, the infrastructure will be available for experimental activities relevant for NCCS.