From Capture to Storage: Enhancing Carbon Sequestration with Advanced Analytical Measurement

Key Takeaways: From Capture to Storage: Enhancing Carbon Sequestration with Advanced Analytical Measurement

Executive Summary

As global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions intensify, carbon sequestration has become a critical solution for capturing and storing atmospheric CO2 to mitigate climate change. Emerson plays a pivotal role in enabling safe, accurate, and efficient measurement solutions throughout the sequestration process. Their gas analyzer technologies and engineered solutions support precise monitoring during CO2 capture, transport, and storage, ensuring regulatory compliance, enhancing operational safety, and optimizing performance in carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) projects. Emerson experts Alice Fu, Dr. Beth Livingstone, and Keith Linsley discussed various technologies, including gas chromatographs, continuous gas analyzers, and laser-based products, highlighting their applications and benefits in CCS initiatives. They emphasized the importance of tailored solutions to meet diverse measurement requirements and the need for reliable, accurate systems to support the growing CCS industry.

Speakers

Alice Fu, Senior Global Product Manager, Emerson
Dr. Beth Livingstone, Global Product Manager, Emerson
Keith N. Linsley, Senior Global Product Manager, Emerson
Moderator - Mike Rhodes, Managing Editor, Hydrocarbon Processing

Key Takeaways

1. Precise CO2 Monitoring: Emerson's gas analyzer technologies support precise monitoring during CO2 capture, transport, and storage, ensuring regulatory compliance and enhancing operational safety.

2. Tailored CO2 Measurement: Rosemount gas chromatographs offer tailored solutions for CO2 measurement, crucial for custody transfer processes in carbon capture and sequestration projects.

3. Versatile Gas Measurements: Continuous gas analyzers, including laser-based products, provide versatile and high-resolution measurements for various gases in carbon capture applications.

4. Integrated Measurement Solutions: Emerson's Engineered Solutions group integrates measurement technologies into comprehensive packages, addressing specific customer needs and environmental challenges.

5. Configurable Carbon Capture: The upcoming QX1000 product will combine laser-based and process gas analyzer technologies, offering a configurable solution for diverse carbon capture measurement requirements.

Key Quote

During the last few years, Rosemont has received many inquiries from different customers asking us to provide solution to measure the CO2.

Related Content

Explore Related Content.

Webinar

Watch Full Webinar here.

FAQs: From Capture to Storage: Enhancing Carbon Sequestration with Advanced Analytical Measurement

General Information on Carbon Capture and Sequestration (CCUS)

1. What is CCUS?
CCUS stands for Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage. It involves capturing CO2 from emission sources, transporting it, and either storing it underground or utilizing it for industrial or commercial products.

2. Why is CCUS important?
CCUS is critical for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating climate change by capturing and storing atmospheric CO2.

Measurement Solutions for CCUS

1. What role does Emerson play in CCUS?
Emerson provides advanced analytical measurement solutions, including gas analyzers and engineered systems, to support precise monitoring during CO2 capture, transport, and storage.

2. What types of gases and impurities need to be measured in CCUS applications?
Common gases and impurities include hydrocarbons (methane, ethane, propane), inert gases (nitrogen, argon, helium), sulfur species (H2S, COS), CO2, oxygen, and moisture.

Gas Chromatograph (GC) Technology

1. How does Gas Chromatograph (GC) technology work?
GC technology involves separating the components of a gas mixture and detecting their concentrations using detectors such as thermal conductivity, flame photometric, and ionization detectors.

2. What are the strengths and weaknesses of GC technology?
GC technology is highly accurate and can measure a wide range of components. However, it cannot separate argon and oxygen and has limitations in measuring water content.

Continuous Gas Analyzer (CGA) Technology

1. What are the key features of Continuous Gas Analyzer (CGA) technology?
CGA technology uses various detection methods like NDIR, electrochemical sensors, and paramagnetic detection to measure gases continuously and provide real-time data.

2. What are the advantages of laser-based CGA technology?
Laser-based CGA technology offers high sensitivity, fast response times, and minimal interference, making it ideal for measuring smaller molecules like CO2 and CO.

Engineered Solutions for CCUS

1. What are Emerson's engineered solutions for CCUS?
Emerson's engineered solutions include integrated systems that combine various measurement technologies and equipment to provide turnkey solutions for carbon capture, transport, and storage.

2. What considerations are important when designing gas analysis systems for CCUS?
Key considerations include understanding the phase changes of CO2, accounting for impurities, and designing systems to operate under varying environmental conditions.

Blog: Enhancing CCS Operations with Emerson's Precision Analytical Solutions

Carbon sequestration is increasingly essential as global efforts to mitigate climate change intensify. Capturing and storing atmospheric CO2 prevents its release and reduces greenhouse gas emissions, crucial for industries like power generation, petrochemical, and natural gas extraction. Advanced analytical measurement solutions are key to ensuring efficiency, safety, and regulatory compliance in carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) projects. Emerson's gas analyzer technologies lead this initiative, providing precise monitoring throughout CO2 capture, transport, and storage. Laser-based gas analyzers, with high-resolution and high-speed capabilities, revolutionize carbon capture by detecting a broader range of gases with immunity to cross-interference and highly selective measurements. Rapid measurement capabilities, typically between 1 and 10 Hertz, make these analyzers ideal for dynamic environments.

CCS Value Chain and Emerson's Analytical Solutions

The CCS value chain starts with capturing CO2 from carbon-intensive processes at refineries, chemical plants, power plants, and natural gas extraction sites. Capturing CO2 before it enters the atmosphere is crucial. After capture, the CO2 is purified and liquefied for efficient transportation via pipelines, ships, or trucks. At the destination, CO2 is stored underground or used in industrial applications like enhanced oil recovery, food and beverage production, and manufacturing plastics and cement.

Accurate measurement of CO2 and impurities is essential throughout the CCS value chain. Emerson's Rosemount Gas Chromatograph (GC) product line provides precise concentration measurements by separating and detecting physical components in gas mixtures. The GC systems, including the 470XA, 700XA, and 1500XA models, cater to different complexity levels and application requirements, measuring hydrocarbons, inert gases, sulfur species, and more. These systems are ideal for CO2 custody transfer processes, ensuring accurate billing and regulatory compliance.

Emerson's continuous gas analyzers (CGA), such as the Extreme PGA series, offer versatile solutions for CCS applications. Utilizing technologies like NDIR, electrochemical sensors, thermal conductivity, paramagnetic detection, and chemiluminescence detectors, these analyzers provide continuous monitoring and control for processes like steam methane reforming and enhanced oil recovery. They are suited for multi-component analysis and real-time monitoring in hazardous areas.

Emerson's laser-based analyzers, including Quantum Cascade Laser (QCL) and Tunable Diode Laser (TDL) technologies, deliver high sensitivity and stability for gas measurements. Using direct absorption spectroscopy, these analyzers offer linear response and minimal drift over time. The multipath cell design enhances detection sensitivity, making them suitable for low-level impurity measurements in CCS applications. These analyzers require minimal intervention and calibration, ensuring reliable and accurate long-term monitoring.

Laser-Based Analyzers in Carbon Capture Projects

Laser-based analyzers, integrated into various enclosures tailored to specific applications, are used in carbon capture projects. General-purpose rack-mounted analyzers and explosion-proof versions cater to diverse operational requirements. These systems measure critical gases such as carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide with high accuracy and low detection limits but are less effective for larger hydrocarbons like propane and butane, necessitating a balanced approach in selecting measurement technologies.

In real-world applications, laser-based analyzers demonstrate versatility. In a gas processing plant capturing CO2 for carbon credits, the analyzers monitor upstream methane leaks and water content to ensure CO2 quality and prevent pipeline corrosion. Another application uses a general-purpose analyzer to measure CO2 levels in enhanced gas recovery processes, optimizing well efficiency through real-time bulk gas monitoring. These examples highlight the importance of selecting the right analyzer for specific measurement needs.

Advanced analytical measurement solutions are vital for the success of carbon capture and sequestration projects. Emerson's gas analyzer technologies, including GC, PGA, and laser-based analyzers, deliver precise and reliable measurements across the CCS value chain, ensuring regulatory compliance, enhancing operational safety, and optimizing performance. Emerson's upcoming QX1000 product combines the configurability of their PGA portfolio with laser-based measurement technology, offering a comprehensive solution that addresses all measurement needs in a single device. This innovation signifies a major advancement in gas analysis technology, promising improved efficiency and accuracy for carbon capture projects. Integrated solutions like the QX1000 will be crucial for meeting the diverse requirements of carbon capture and storage initiatives.