[ Carbon Capture Storage ]
[ Carbon Capture Storage ]
Where is nickel ‘ mission-critical ’?
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CO 2 recovery from the flue gas of coal-fired power plants , where the flue gas is contaminated with SO 2 and water , creating an acidic condensate that would corrode carbon steel .
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Liquid solvents , such as amine , absorb CO 2 from the gas stream . This can result in acidic corrosive conditions in the CO 2 absorber vessel , in the liquid amine handling system , and in the stripper vessel where cleaned CO 2 is released .
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Solid absorbent recovery systems , such as temperature swing adsorption ( TSA ), also remove CO 2 from a gas stream by interaction with the sorbent . This process involves humid conditions with temperatures swinging from 40 ° C to 100 ° C producing acidic corrosive environments . Due to the potential formation of carbonic acid , key areas of risk are : the drying process , where austenitic nickelcontaining stainless steel is used ; and , the pre-capture blower , where nickelcontaining duplex stainless steel is used .
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Innovative processes to utilise and capture CO 2 , such as the Allam-Fetvedt power generation cycle , which will require nickel-containing alloys for the CO 2 turbine and combustor , the heat exchanger and the high-temperature piping connecting these two components .
higher-grade nickel-containing stainless steels and nickel alloys are often required . Carbon capture from gases often contain water , typically originating from combustion processes . Processes either operate in wet acidic conditions , or require prior drying to capture CO 2 . Some operate at high temperatures and in harsh conditions , which are also unsuitable for carbon steel .
Getting there CO 2 transportation from carbon capture to sub-surface storage will primarily be through pipelines , shipping , trucking and rail . Carbon dioxide is liquefied to enable it to be shipped to a sequestration location . Equipment to transport CO 2 from carbon capture to sub-surface storage also requires nickel-containing low alloy steel , stainless steel or nickel alloys .
Going below CO 2 injected into sub-surface storage is typically dry and non-corrosive . However , a well must be designed to account for the risk of acidic conditions being present , leading to corrosion during its lifetime .
Data from well design in the US and EU show that nickel-containing stainless steel and nickel alloys are typically selected for critical well infrastructure at risk of corrosion . The US has set out clear guidelines for CO 2 injection well design and construction that emphasise selection of materials , supporting the criticality nickel will play in CO 2 sub-surface storage . To assist in material selection for CCS processes , The Association for Materials Protection and Performance ( AMPP ) is developing Guidelines for Materials Selection and Corrosion Control for CO 2 Transport and Injection , identifying where nickel-containing materials are preferred . As industries continue to evaluate the value chain of CCS , it is evident there are very few steps that will not need nickel-containing low alloy steel , stainless steel or nickel alloys . This demonstrates nickel ’ s vital role in deploying CCS to help achieve net zero anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions in the years and decades to come .
About Nickel institute
The Nickel Institute is the global association of leading primary nickel producers . Its mission is to promote and support the proper use of nickel in appropriate applications . For information visit nickelinstitute . org /
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