Research Progress of Supercritical / Dense Phase CO2 Flow Metering Technology

Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) technology plays a vital role in achieving the "carbon neutrality" strategic goal. However, one of the significant challenges in realizing this objective is the precise measurement of CO2 flow rates. Based on a literature review of current applications of flow measurement in CCUS processes at home and abroad, this study analyzes the influencing factors of flow meter selection and installation, as well as the impacts of different types and concentrations of impurities in CO2 streams on measurement accuracy. It identifies the primary reasons for inaccuracies in CO2 flow measurement, namely the unique phase behavior of impure CO2 and nonlinear variations in density. The research summarizes practical engineering applications and existing studies on CO2 flow measurement, proposing measures such as optimized flow meter selection, installation positioning strategies, and density correction methods. These findings aim to provide references for precise CO2 flow measurement in CCUS projects and the promotion of CCUS technology. Further development of CCUS technology necessitates deeper research on accurate CO2 flow measurement. Building on previous engineering experiences and scholarly investigations into precise CO2 mass flow measurement, this paper suggests improvements and recommends future directions, including computational fluid dynamics (CFD) numerical simulations tailored to real-world operational conditions. Such advancements could lead to more effective solutions for accurate CO2 mass flow measurement in practical applications.