Call 1 Project Updates – April 2015 Cranfield Biannual

This blog was written by Olumide Olumayegun, a UKCCSRC ECR from the University of Hull, who received funding from the ECR Meeting Fund to attend the UKCCSRC Spring 2015 Biannual in Cranfield, 21-22 April. 

One highlight of the Spring 2015 Biannual Meeting was the Call 1 Project updates session. The session took place at the Main Auditorium, Vincent Building, Cranfield University on Wednesday, 22 April 2015. The Call 1 Projects aim to address current gaps in knowledge and contribute to the commercialisation of carbon capture and storage (CCS). The session was dedicated to sharing key project outcomes and progress made on Call 1 Projects. This provided an opportunity for other CCS researchers and stakeholders to learn more about the projects as well as allowing them to question and engage the Call 1 projects investigators.

The project investigators gave their presentations in the following order:

Flexibility Issues in CCS Networks: Initial findings from the FleCCSNet project 

Dr Hamed Aghajani of Newcastle University started the Call 1 project updates with a presentation on the initial findings from the FleCCSNet project. The aim of the FleCCSNet project is to provide design and operating guidelines for CCS pipeline networks to ensure that they can react effectively to variations in the availability and flow of CO₂ from capture plants. Conditions investigated include three onshore scenarios (1, 2 and 3 capture points), three load types and valve shut down timing. The effects of differences in the load profiles and also the effect of different load profile timings between the two emitters on the flow pattern in the network are under consideration.

Multi-Phase Flow Modelling for Hazard Assessment

Dr Solomon Brown of University College London presented update on multiphase flow modelling for hazard assessment of dense phase CO₂ pipelines containing impurities. The project is to develop and experimentally validate a heterogeneous flow model for predicting the transient depressurisation and outflow following the puncture of dense phase CO₂ pipelines containing typical impurities. Presentation include results from CO₂ Quest experimental facilities.

Experimental investigation with PACT facility and CFD modelling of oxy-coal combustion with recycling real flue gas and vent gas of compression and purification units

Dr Sheraz Daood of University of Sheffield presented the update on the project aimed at investigating the impacts of real flue gas and vent gas recycling on the combustion performance, emissions, ignition and flame stability of oxy-coal combustion by means of 250kW PACT facility testing and comprehensively validated CFD modelling, and to assess various flue gas recycling scenarios and the benefits of vent gas recycling by process simulation. Experimental results from the PACT facility testing showed 100% NO destruction of the injected NO in primary air stream, an overall 85% NO destruction in all air streams and an overall 75% NO destruction.

Tractable equations of state for CO₂ mixtures in CCS: Algorithms for automated generation and optimisation, tailored to end-user

Dr Richard Graham of University of Nottingham in this presentation talked about the research work on modelling the phase behaviour of impure carbon dioxide, under the conditions typically found in carbon capture from power stations, and in high-pressure (liquid phase) and low-pressure (gas phase) pipelines. 

Determination of water Solubility in CO₂ Mixtures 

Dr Stephanie Foltran of University of Nottingham provided update on the project to establish the solubility limit of water in impure CO₂ to ensure the safety of pipelines. According to the presentation,  the current result indicated that for a fixed T and P, small percentages of N₂ can lower significantly the solubility of water in CO₂.

UK Bio-CCS CAP

Dr Janos Szuhanszki of University of Sheffield gave presentation on the UKCCSRC Bio-CCS CAP project. The aim of the project is to accelerate progress towards achieving operational excellence for flexible, efficient and environmentally sustainable Bio-CCS thermal power plants by developing and assessing fundamental knowledge, pilot plant tests and techno economic and life cycle studies. 

Chemical looping for low-cost oxygen production and other applications 

Dr Paul Fennell of Imperial College London talked about this project on chemical looping which aims to push forward chemical looping within the UK and integrates both experimental work and theoretical analysis to result in the first large-scale demonstration of CLC within the UK.

Mixed matrix membranes preparation for post-combustion capture

Dr Maria-Chiara Ferrari of University of Edinburgh presented update on the mixed matrix membranes project whose aim is to support the development of new mixed matrix membranes for post-combustion capture applications.

CO₂ storage in Palaeogene and Neogene hydrogeological systems of the North Sea: preparation of an IODP scientific drilling bid 

Update by Dr Maxine Akhurst of British Geological Society focused on ‘GlaciStore’ bid scientific drilling for CO₂ storage. The bid pre-proposal was in 2014 and full-bid in April 2015.

Fault Seal Controls on CO₂ Storage in Saline Aquifers 

Mr John Williams of British Geological Society gave update on the Phase 1 of the project. The aim of the project is to investigate the role and properties of faults in their capacity to retain CO₂.

Oxyfuel and EGR Processes in GT Combustion

Dr Richard Marsh of Cardiff University gave the final presentation on oxyfuel and exhaust gas recirculation processes in GT combustion for improved carbon capture performance. The presentation on Phase 1 of the project discussed methane oxycombustion in a pressurised swirl stabilised gas turbine burner.