A new R&D Project aims to mature the technologies needed to safely and efficiently ship large quantities of CO2. Through future demonstration of this project, industry stakeholders aspire to assist Australia and the broader Asia Pacific region reach Net Zero by linking key emission sources to long-term utilisation and storage solutions.
In particular, FenEx CRC, JX NOEX, LETA, MOL, and Osaka Gas have signed a Project Agreement for the LP Technology R&D Project, to research and develop low-pressure and low-temperature solutions for bulk CO2 transport by ships. The shipping industry believes there is an emerging opportunity linked to the carbon capture and storage initiatives and thus, the new research initiative aims to further define the CO2 shipping criteria. The partnership points out that the current design of liquified CO2 vessels has a limited storage capacity, which is motivating their research to develop solutions for industrial-scale shipping of CO2.
The LP Technology R&D Project will involve studying behaviour and boil off characteristics of liquid CO2 under dynamic operating conditions and the impact of non-CO2 components through the following activities. This LP Technology R&D Project will be executed by FEnEx CRC, University of Western Australia, Curtin University, Seoul National University and deepC Store Pty and will see to:
- Conducting experiments using laboratory scale facilities (such as pressure cell and boil-off apparatus) to study the phase behaviour and boil off characteristics of liquid CO2 under dynamic operating conditions and the impact of non-CO2 components;
- Incorporating new data into custom engineering models for CO2 boil off and phase behaviour calculations developed by the FEnEx CRC and using the new data to test predictions made with existing software tools; and
- Designing pilot-scale Carbon Capture, Utilisation &/or Storage (CCUS) demonstration tests or project needed to validate the engineering models anchored to laboratory data that can be up-scaled as part of a subsequent project.
We are very honoured and excited to have this opportunity to jointly collaborate with Australian research institutions and Japanese companies to advance the technical and commercial maturation for liquefied CO2 shipping transportation under low pressures and low temperatures.
… commented MOL Executive Officer, Yasuchika Noma
Australia has a unique opportunity to take a leadership role in developing industrial-scale CO2 transport. Successful research in this area will help maximise economic opportunities for Australia
… added FEnEx CRC Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, Professor Eric May
JX NOEX Executive Officer, General Manger, Sustainable Business Unit, Yasuto Ariga stated that they are taking this opportunity to build good relationship with industry, government and academia in Australia for its large potential CO2 sequestration capacity, and also promote cooperation with Project partners for realisation of an overseas CCS project.
LETA is proud to be investing in this project, which can assist in proving up technologies to enable transport of commercial quantities of CO2 from industrial facilities in Asia to storage locations in Australia
… said LETA Chief Executive Officer, Mark McCallum
Meanwhile, Osaka Gas Associate Director, Norio Hatanaka pointed out that low pressure and low temperature liquified CO2 is an essential technology for economical CO2 transport.
