A Feasibility Study on the Vaporization of Liquefied Carbon Dioxide Due to Heat Transfer in Submerged Pipeline with Start-Up, Shutdown, and Abnormal Dynamic Simulation Scenarios Prediction

Abstract

The vaporization of liquefied carbon dioxide (LCO₂) resulting from heat transfer in undersea pipeline flow was examined in this feasibility study. The study aimed to assess how several factors, including flow velocity, temperature, and height, affected the rate at which CO₂ evaporated in a submerged pipeline. Ansys Fluent and Aspen Plus were two simulation tools used for the analysis. For the assessment, the SRK thermodynamic model was chosen. Start-up, shutdown, and abnormal dynamic studies were further conducted to ascertain the safe operation of the pipeline using Aspen Plus and Aspen Dynamics. The study emphasizes the need to account for and consider heat transfer in the design and operation of these pipelines. It also offers insightful information about the behavior of CO₂ in undersea pipelines. Reliable seabed and oceanographic data were obtained with the corresponding temperatures for the prediction of pipeline landfall. The maximum pressure of 76.61 barg was established at Node 11 but further dropped at the last 200 m pipe segment (N11–N13) to achieve an outlet pressure of 59.72 barg. The pressure loss was due to gravity, since the fluid was directed upward to the sea platform. There was a gradual drop in temperature along the pipeline. The temperature at the pipe outlet was calculated to be 3.33 °C. The results of this study can be applied to improve efficiency and lower the risk of accidents associated with the design and operation of underwater pipelines for the transportation and storage of CO₂. The findings of this work are significant, since they provide a thorough grasp of how CO₂ behaves in submerged pipes and knowledge that may be utilized to guarantee the effective and safe transit and storage of this material.