CO2 Dynamics - Fundamental aspects of transport and injection of CO2 with impurities

This project will study some important aspects of the CO2 capture and storage process, namely the transport and injection. The captured CO2 will not be absolutely clean. The impurities present will affect the fluid properties, and must therefore be accoun ted for. To perform design and safety calculations for transport systems for CO2 with impurities, it is necessary to be able to calculate multi-component two-phase (gas and liquid) flow with relevant flow models and with thermodynamic models for CO2 mix tures. To do this, one needs * Thermodynamics: Models and experimental data for phase equilibria (mainly gas-liquid equilibrium), thermodynamic properties (e.g. densities) and transport properties (e.g. viscosities). * Fluid mechanics: Models for multi-c omponent two-phase flow. In particular, models for flow regimes (what the flow "looks like") and phase interaction (e.g. friction between the phases). * Numerical methods: The system of equations resulting from the flow model must be solved in an accurate , robust and efficient way using computers. Each of the above areas contain many open research topics, and even putting together a "simple" model, to some extent accounting for the complex thermodynamical and fluid dynamical interplay occuring in a CO2 t ransport pipeline, is a challenging task. Even though the CO2 pipeline will be operated with single-phase flow, two-phase flow will occur during depressurization for planned maintenance, or as an unplanned event. The challenge in offshore CO2 transport p rimarily lies in making suitable modelling tools, getting experimental data, and to formulate new specifications and requirements. The project will concentrate mainly on the modelling issues, while any experimental data put to the disposal of the project , will be considered. The need for additional experimental data will be assessed. The profile is fundamentally-oriented, and three PhD candidates will be educated with international cooperation.