Delivering CCUS infrastructure for the net zero transition

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By SICK Solutions for CCUS Applications

The amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) released into the atmosphere has increased significantly since the beginning of the industrial age. Climate change mitigation calls for limiting global warming by 1.5 °C. This climate goal can only be achieved through a drastic reduction of the CO2 concentration in the atmosphere. Technology for carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) will play an important role in mitigating climate change as a fundamental component of decarbonisation and could pave the way to a low-carbon future.

Carbon capture is a technology approach that can remove up to 90% of the carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions produced from the use of fossil fuels in electricity generation and industrial processes, preventing the carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere. The captured carbon dioxide can be transported to a permanent storage (usually deep underground) or recycled for further use via conversion into other substances or products with higher economic value (i.e. synfuel, plastics, concrete) while retaining the carbon neutrality of the production processes. With the development of CCUS technologies, new challenges are also arising for sensor solutions. SICK already has solutions to support carbon capture and CO₂ transport applications.

Challenges

Reporting and accounting of CO2 quantities

Flow metering will become necessary for fiscal purposes, custody transfer and compliance with future regulatory measurements. For each step of the CCUS network, accurate flow measurement allows for complete and precise reporting and the possibility of billing the captured carbon dioxide collected from different sources, transported via pipelines and stored or reused.

Process efficiency

Carbon capture processes require a high degree of efficiency to improve their economic and environmental attractiveness. The measurement of CO₂ content after the capture process is essential for control and optimisation purposes.

Quality control

Regardless of the destination of the captured CO2 (storage or utilisation), it is important to control the quality of the gas and possible impurities that can have a negative influence on the later steps of the CCUS network and ensure protection of the environment.

SICK Solutions for CCUS Applications

Gas flow measurement for transfer and process applications

Carbon dioxide can be captured from a variety of emission sources, collected, and transported via pipelines or by ship for subsequent storage or use. This requires gas flow measurements at each transfer point to check the amount of CO₂. Precise gas measurements allow correct billing of the companies that want to use the carbon dioxide. CO₂ taxes and allowances can also be calculated on the basis of the measurements. Whether as a standalone device or part of a system solution, the FLOWSIC600 and FLOWSIC600-XT gas flow meters provide reliable and precise data for successful control of processes along the CCUS chain.

Reliable turnkey solution for CO₂ metering

The FLOWSKID flow metering system from SICK offers a complete turnkey solution for gas flow measurement. The system can be flexibly configured and provides highly accurate measurement data. At the heart of the metering skid is a FLOWSIC600 or FLOWSIC600-XT ultrasonic gas flow meter, which makes the system very reliable. The metering skid can be extended to include gas analysers, gas chromatographs and flow computers, thereby enabling it to be tailored to the specific application requirements. The system is manufactured according to ISO standards and meets all current quality requirements according to DIN, ANSI and ASME. This ensures conformity to the applicable local regulations and requirements.

Measurement of the concentration of captured CO₂

Before the CO₂ released by various industrial processes can escape into the atmosphere, it can be captured with the help of a special device installed at a suitable location. To monitor and optimise the efficiency of the CO₂ capture, the GM35 in-situ gas analyser precisely measures the CO₂ concentration directly within the gas channel without the need for sampling. The reliability, accuracy and short response time of the GM35 are highly advantageous to the efficiency of control loops. Furthermore, the gas analyser is able to perform H₂O, temperature and pressure measurements, thus making it an ideal addition to any process control system. Continuous monitoring of the CO₂ concentration is also important when transferring the captured gas for further processing as well as for billing purposes.

Quality measurement: analysis of the CO₂ concentration and impurities in the captured CO₂ gas matrix

Carbon capture produces a highly concentrated gas with a CO₂ volume fraction of over 90%. This gas matrix, however, also contains other components that are considered impurities. It is essential to measure these components. The extractive analysers from SICK monitor multiple components simultaneously, continuously and precisely, thereby enabling CCUS processes to be optimally controlled and improved. Hot/wet extractive measuring devices such as the MCS200HW, for example, are suitable for measuring CO₂, H₂O, HCl, SO₂, CO, NOx , NH₃ and O₂. Cold/dry extractive measurement technology is used for applications with lower corrosion exposure, or when only a few components need to be monitored.

Greenhouse gas (GHG) monitoring

EU Directive 2003/87 / EC, which establishes a scheme for greenhouse gas emission allowance trading, requires that the CO₂ emissions from all CO₂ sources at a power plant and other installations covered by the directive be documented. Since the exact CO₂ concentration is difficult to calculate, emission measurement directly within the flue offers a useful alternative. SICK has developed an excellent CEMS solution for direct monitoring of CO₂ emissions: GHG-Control. This solution from SICK also provides plant operators with the necessary information to produce measurement uncertainty certificates in accordance with the EU emissions trading regulations. GHG-Control is a complete measurement system comprising not only the GM35 in-situ gas analyser, the FLOWSIC100 ultrasonic flowmeter, and the MEAC GHG data acquisition system but also services.

Space and protection for measurement and analysis technology

Container solutions are primarily used to protect the installed analyser systems from extreme ambient conditions such as heat, cold, dust, wind, earthquakes and corrosive or explosive atmospheres. They also offer advantages for transport as well as onsite installation and maintenance. At the factory, everything is coordinated and pre-installed in the container in a clear manner. Each container can be equipped to fit individual customer requirements. The installation of transformers and UPS, extinguishing, climate and gas warning systems is possible, as is the implementation of sample point switching or complex redundancy and signal concepts.

For more information please visit SICK Solutions.