The COOLTRANS Research Programme: Learning for the Design of CO2 Pipelines

Abstract

The COOLTRANS research programme is an £8 Million, three year (2011–2014) research and development project to identify, address and resolve key issues relating to the safe routeing, design, construction and operation of onshore pipelines transporting dense phase carbon dioxide (CO2) in the United Kingdom (UK). National Grid Carbon established and led the project. National Grid Carbon brought together major technical capability in academic and industry organisations in the UK and coordinated the research studies in order to provide a ‘fast-track’ for the identification and application of key learning to its ongoing pipeline projects. In particular, National Grid Carbon is pursuing plans to develop a pipeline network in the Humber and North Yorkshire areas of the UK to transport dense phase CO2 from major industrial emitters in the area to a saline aquifer off the Yorkshire coast. The COOLTRANS research programme has provided the technical foundations for the design and operation of CO2 pipelines in the UK. The paper highlights the key learning for the design of CO2 pipelines, and the specific application of the learning to the planned National Grid Carbon CO2 network in the Humber and North Yorkshire area of the UK.