CO2 Dispersion Analysis Factors and Their Impacts on Pipeline Routing

Abstract Carbon capture and storage projects worldwide have grown by 48% in the last year [1]. This industry’s growth has also seen an increased need to transport carbon dioxide (CO2). The analysis performed and discussed in this paper is based on real project examples. The projects demonstrate how the application of dispersion analyses impacted significant project and pipeline routing decisions, with major potential capital and public safety implications. This is particularly relevant to our industry, which expects to increase the CO2 transport capacity significantly. There are many hazards associated with CO2 due to the following properties: CO2 is colorless, odorless, heavier than air, is an asphyxiant and is an intoxicant. An uncontrolled release may spread undetected near the ground or in confined spaces. With the rise in CO2 pipelines, challenges associated with pipeline routing need to be addressed. Ideally, pipelines should be routed in areas with sparse population densities due to the hazards to people associated with a CO2 release. Several factors affect how far from populated areas a pipeline should be routed. These include the most common local weather conditions (average temperature and average wind speed/direction), pipe size, the surrounding terrain, and the pipeline inventory. This study will show the comparison of dispersion modelling results from three pipeline diameters (12″, 20″ and 36″) in a rural and an urban setting for four types of weather conditions, (stable and neutral atmospheric conditions for both summer high temperatures and winter low temperatures). The comparison of results will demonstrate the variables that must be considered at the early stages of pipeline routing.