The CO2 Efficient Transport via Ocean (CETO) joint industry project (JiP) recently concluded with promising findings that highlight the feasibility and readiness of low-pressure CO2 ship transport technology.
The project partners, which included Equinor, Gassco, Shell, TotalEnergies and DNV, have found that there are no technological showstoppers to a low-pressure CO2 ship transport chain. CETO was funded by the project partners and Gassnova through the CLIMIT-Demo programme.
Margrethe Andersen, Head of External Communications, highlights that for Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) to play a significant role in helping the world to reduce emissions, transporting large amounts of CO2 will be vital. Pipelines will be an option, but where the capture source and storage sites are unable to be easily connected, ship transport will be crucial. To achieve the scale required for commercial viability, however, low-pressure ship solutions (approximately 7 bar at -49ºC) is regarded as an attractive alternative.
During the Technology Qualification process the project partners examined fundamental aspects of the CO2 ship transport value chain. The production of liquid CO2, the characteristics and impurities in liquid CO2 that could affect transport, the plant concept, cargo handling, through to the basic design of a 30,000 m3 Liquid CO2 carrier were all evaluated and assessed.
CETO demonstrated that shipping of CO2 at low-pressure condition is feasible, and that the technology is ready for first use. In terms of the vessel design, the activities show that a dedicated LCO2 carrier could be designed according to the relevant international rules and regulations, including the IMO IGC code and the DNV ship rules for global strength and stability. The testing campaign on a medium-scale pilot plant demonstrated that cargo handling operation in the range of 6 to 9 barg could be carried out without dry ice formation.
Finally, the accuracy and suitability of design process simulation tools was benchmarked with good agreement against experimental tests and the benefits of dynamic process simulations on a full-scale design case were demonstrated. However, there were aspects of the transport chain that will require particular attention during project development, such as material selection for cargo tanks, fatigue and sloshing loads.
Lee Teng-Huar, General Manager, Maritime Operations, Asia Pacific and Middle East at Shell, said: “The conclusions from the CETO JIP signify a crucial milestone in advancing CCS technology. The optimization of low-pressure liquid CO2 transportation can help bolster the economic viability of CCS initiatives and fast-track the ongoing journey towards a more sustainable and lower-carbon future for the industry.”
Equinor is excited that the technology risks around low pressure CO2 ship transport are now reduced. The low-pressure technology is relevant for reaching our increased ambitions of 30-50 million tons per year of CO2 transport and injection capacity by 2035.
..Ola Miljeteig, Vice President, R&D CCS solutions at Equinor, said.
Svein-Erik Losnegård, Vice President Research and Development at Gassco, said: “Gassco is pleased to contribute to the development of low-pressure CO2 ship transport technology, and to see that the CETO project has succeeded in reducing the associated technology risks. Maturity and readiness of different transport solutions will be of great value in the establishment of a comprehensive, optimal, and flexible transport system in the CCS value chain.”
