Review of flowmeters for carbon dioxide transport in CCS applications

Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from power stations and industrial plants are seen as major contributors to what is known as the greenhouse gas (GHG) effect. Carbon dioxide capture and storage (CCS) is one technology which may reduce the quantity of CO2 released into the atmosphere but development of CCS has slowed due to the absence of a viable financial model. Metering technology is a prerequisite in enabling realistic financial decisions to be taken; however, there is currently a paucity of research into the types of flowmeters which would be suitable for incorporating into CCS transportation chains. This paper reviews and summarizes existing metering technologies with a view to establishing their suitability for measuring high mass flowrate, supercritical CO2. Open channel, differential pressure, velocity measurement, direct mass measurement, and electrical, magnetic, thermal, sonic, and radiation technologies are all considered. The challenges associated with each generic group are described, and recommendations made regarding the practicalities of using particular types of meter for CO2transport in CCS applications.