Tackling impurities in CCS pipelines: An optimization-based approach

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is crucial for carbon neutrality, requiring efficient CO₂ transport through pipelines. This study introduces an efficient optimization-based model for designing cost-optimal pipelines with a compressor-pump assembly and intermediate boosters, considering impurities such as Argon, Methane, hydrogen and Nitrogen, which impact stream density, pressure drop, and levelized transport costs (LCOCT). Impurities reduce throughput by 3.6 % and increase compression energy by 11 % (from 100.11 to 111.14 kWh/ton CO₂), accounting for 30 % of CCS equivalent energy. A penalty scheme (e.g., US'84/ton CO₂ for 4 % N₂) offsets impurity costs, highlighting the need for impurity control in efficient CCS deployment.