(289d) Insight into the CO2 Pipeline Transportation Cost: New Cost Calculation Model with Regional Variation and CO2 Pipeline Network.

Mapping of existing carbon dioxide (CO₂) point sources and potential storage sites suggests that a long distance exists between them. CO₂ delivery from the capture point to the storage point is an important process in the carbon capture and storage (CCS) system. While most studies focus on the CO₂ delivery cost by a pipeline distance, there are other aspects, which are normally overlooked, i.e., determining a realistic CO₂ pipeline design between existing sources and storage sites to calculate the optimum CO₂ delivery cost. In this study, we introduce a newly developed CO₂ pipeline transportation model and emphasize those key aspects with example cases based on existing industrial CO₂ sources and potential CO₂ storage locations.

We developed a python-based CO₂ pipeline transportation cost model by leveraging Argonne’s 15-year modeling experience on pipeline networks and detailed cost data for natural gas pipelines in the United States. The model calculates a CO₂ pipeline delivery cost in two steps. First, it draws a pipeline route upon the existing road network, so that it captures a more realistic pipeline route and distance to calculate the pipeline length. Then, for a given CO₂ delivery conditions (CO₂ throughput, pressure, temperature, pipeline length, region, etc.), it calculates the CO₂ pipeline delivery cost by optimizing the pipeline diameter with the number of booster pumps. As a unique feature, this new model simulates a pipeline network to calculate the optimum CO₂ delivery cost by connecting multiple CO₂ sources to destination(s) or storage sites. This pipeline network suggests a more practical CO₂ delivery configuration because the CO₂ storage potential of a selected site is normally much greater than CO₂ amounts from individual CO₂ sources.

In this study, we will provide key insights into the cost of CO₂ pipeline transportation. It is known that the levelized CO₂ delivery cost (dollar per metric tons of CO₂, $/MT) will be reduced with a larger throughput of CO₂ transported and a shorter pipeline distance. In our calculations, we applied for up-to-date costs for material, labor, right of way, and other construction costs as well as the regional cost variations based on reported natural gas transmission pipeline costs. In Figure 1 and Figure 2, we compared CO₂ delivery costs in different regions. There are six groups with nine regions, and each group resulted in different CO₂ delivery costs. For example, when one million metric tons of CO₂ is delivered annually by a 200-mile pipeline, the levelized cost could be as low as $10/MT in Group 4, or as high as $35/MT in Group 1. This large difference (more than three times) indicates that we should consider the regional aspect of the CO₂ delivery cost.

Figure 3 (Case 1) and Figure 4 (Case 2) are the preliminary cases to demonstrate the capability of our model that captures realistic pipeline routes by a CO₂ pipeline network. In Case 1, we made a scenario connecting six CO₂ sources (ethanol plants) to a storage destination in Minnesota. The model calculates the optimized pipeline network connecting the CO₂ sources to the destination. The detailed pipeline information of each segment is provided in the table below the figure. The levelized cost to collect and deliver 1.17 million metric tons annually is $9/MT. In Case 2, there are four CO₂ sources (ethanol plants) connected to the destination in Ohio. The levelized cost to collect and deliver 0.59 million metric tons annually is $19/MT. Compared to Case 1, even though the total pipeline length is shorter, the CO₂ delivery cost is higher for two reasons: 1) the delivered CO₂ amount is smaller, and 2) the regional cost is higher.

We are currently developing CO₂ delivery scenarios from actual industrial CO₂ sources to potential storage locations (saline formations) using our model. The results will provide better understanding of CO₂ delivery cost tied with storage sites as a function of CO₂ throughput, distance, region, CO₂ sourcing (multiple small sources vs. single large source), and pipeline network. Our analysis will be an important link between studies on CO₂ capture and CO₂ storage.