CO2CleanFlow

Joint Industry Project

Investigating droplet formation and removal mechanisms in dense phase CO2.

Challenge

In CO2 transport, the industry already places strong focus on preventing the formation of corrosive acids by strictly controlling impurities such as water, SO2, O2, NOx and H2S. This preventive barrier is well-established across CCS projects. Yet even with tight specifications, real-world deviations can still lead to the formation of acidic droplets inside CO2 pipelines, posing potential internal corrosion risks.

The CO2CleanFlow JIP explores the following question:

If acids do form despite prevention measures, can we detect and remove them effectively?

This joint industry initiative brings together operators, storage developers and technology suppliers to understand and investigate practical mitigation methods for removing acid droplets from CO₂ streams under realistic operating conditions.

Project scope

Using DNV’s high pressure CO2 flow loop, the JIP will:

  • Study how and when droplets form and how they behave in dense phase CO2
  • Develop a representative droplet generation and measurement setup
  • Test filtration and separation technologies to assess droplet removal efficiency and pressure drop performance under realistic pipeline conditions. 

Test loop capability:

  • Flow rates: 5 – 200 m3/hr
  • Pressure range: 5 – 90 bar
  • Temperature range: 20 – 45 °C
  • Default line size 6”

Two phase approach

Phase 1 – understanding & creating representative conditions

This phase focuses on identifying realistic field conditions, studying droplet behaviour in the CO₂ flow loop, and developing a controlled droplet generation concept to support meaningful testing.

Phase 2 – Filter performance testing

With validated droplet conditions, the project will evaluate selected filtration technologies across relevant pressures, temperatures and flow regimes, assessing performance, pressure drop and downstream integrity implications.

Why participate?

Participants gain early insight into potential mitigation solutions, contribute to shaping realistic test conditions, and receive evidence based recommendations for strengthening CO₂ pipeline integrity beyond impurity control alone.