Product Summary

September 01, 2013 Annual Meeting | Fact Sheet

CO2 Pipelines Technical Brief

After CO2 is captured, the next step is transporting it to a storage site. For over 30 years, CO2 has been safely transported via pipeline. Pipelines are a proven technology that requires no new development, only implementation. In fact, CO2 pipelines are already part of the infrastructure in the PCOR Partnership region, with 205 miles of existing CO2 pipeline and roughly another 400 miles planned or under construction as of 2013. CO2 pipelines are similar in design and operation to natural gas pipelines, although the higher CO2 pressures require construction using thicker-walled carbon steel pipe. Special-use pipelines designed for specific applications may employ construction requirements that differ from the general rule of thumb. Natural gas pipeline operating pressures range from 200 to 1500 psi, and compressors are used at booster stations along the pipeline route to maintain the necessary pressure. CO2 is transported as a supercritical (sometimes called dense-phase) fluid at pressures of 1200 to 2700 psi. Because the dense-phase CO2 behaves as a liquid, pumps (rather than compressors) can be used at booster stations.

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Event/Meeting Information

PCOR Partnership 2013 Annual Membership Meeting
9/25/2013
Minneapolis, MN