Advanced Phase Behavior Analysis of CO2-Rich Streams with Innovative ThermoQuartz ResoSense Technology

ABSTRACT Advancing monitoring instruments specifically designed for detecting water condensate or hydrate formations is crucial for ensuring the safe and efficient production of gas and transportation of impure CO2 within specific pressure and temperature ranges. The prevention of water condensation and subsequent corrosion remains a major challenge in the energy industry, especially within the burgeoning Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage (CCUS) sector. As the industry increasingly moves towards multiphase transportation, the need for advanced flow assurance monitoring technologies becomes necessary. These technologies are essential for accurately evaluating risks associated with water condensation, corrosion, and hydrate plugging, thereby facilitating the secure and efficient transportation of CO2. Significant issues arise due to changes in phase behaviour in CO2-rich streams. Even small amounts of polar impurities can alter the dew point and phase envelope, leading to the formation of corrosive aqueous solutions at temperatures well above the dew point of pure water. Impurities such as methanol and Triethylene Glycol are particularly concerning in CCUS networks. Currently, no off-the-shelf solutions effectively address these CO2-induced flow assurance challenges, underscoring the issue's complexity and importance. This study aims to validate and improve our innovative sensor-based technology, ThermoQuartz ResoSense, which monitors phase behaviour and determines the dew point/vapor-liquid equilibrium in CO2 -rich streams. Several High-Pressure-High-Temperature-QCM experiments were conducted under stable pressure conditions, maintained either by pump operation or pressure suspension once the target was reached. The system was pre-conditioned at peak temperature, followed by controlled cooling through distinct cycles, with a corresponding heating cycle raising the temperature at the same rate.