CO2SAFE-ARREST: A Full-Scale Burst Test Research Program for Carbon Dioxide Pipelines — Part 1: Project Overview and Outcomes of Test 1

Abstract

Transport of anthropogenic carbon dioxide in pipelines from capture site to storage site forms an important link in the overall Carbon Capture, Transport and Storage (CCTS) scheme. The thermodynamic properties of CO2 are different from those of other gases such as natural gas that are transported in pipelines. Recent full-scale burst tests from the projects SARCO2 and COOLTRANS indicated significant variations in correction factors necessary to predict the arrest of a running ductile fracture. In addition, CO2 can be a potential hazard to human and animal life and the environment. While consequence distances of natural gas pipelines are well established and documented in standards, this is not the case with CO2. The research focused CO2SAFE-ARREST joint industry project (JIP) aims to (1) investigate the fracture propagation and arrest characteristics of anthropogenic CO2 carrying high strength steel pipelines, and (2) to investigate the dispersion of CO2 following its release into the atmosphere. The participants are DNV GL (Norway) and Energy Pipelines CRC (Australia). The project is funded by the Norwegian CLIMIT and the Commonwealth Government of Australia. The joint investigation commenced in 2016 and will continue to 2019. The experimental part of the project involves two full-scale fracture propagation tests using X65, 610mm (24“) pipe and two 6″ shock tube tests, with all tests filled with a dense phase CO2/N2 mixture. The full-scale tests were made up of 8 pipe lengths each, with nominal wall thicknesses of 13.5 mm and 14.5mm. The dispersion of the carbon dioxide from the full-scale test sections was measured through an array of sensors downwind of the test location. The tests were conducted in 2017/2018 at Spadeadam, UK. Following a short review of the background and outcomes of previous CO2 full-scale burst tests, this paper provides insight on the aims of the overall experimental program along with summary results from the first full-scale fracture propagation test, carried out in September 2017. Two companion papers provide further details on the first test. The first companion paper [IPC2018-78525] discusses the selection of pipe material properties for the test and the detailed fracture propagation test results. The second companion paper [IPC2018-78530] provides information on the dispersion of the CO2 from the first full-scale test, along with numerical modelling of the dispersion.