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OMNISEAL® SPRING-ENERGIZED SEALS
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100% (CO₂) Certified Polymers For Carbon Capture & Storage Applications

    Christophe Valdenaire
New Energies CCS 100% CO₂ Wellheads, Valves & Transfer Systems

Environment

Because Carbon Capture & Storage (CCS) can achieve significant carbon dioxide (CO2) emission reductions, this process is considered a key and viable option within the portfolio of approaches required to reduce greenhouse gas (CHG) emissions. CCS involves three major steps; capturing COat the source, compressing it for transportation, and then injecting into a deep reservoir at a carefully selected and safe site for permanent storage. In the capture process, the CO2 is separated from other gases produced at large, industrial process facilities, or in a Blue Hydrogen process with Steam Methane Reforming (SMR). In the transport stage, the separated COis compressed for onshore (pipelines, trucks, and rail) or offshore (ships) transport. Ship transportation of liquid COcan be an alternative option for many regions of the world. In the storage process, the COis injected into deep underground rock formations, usually at depths of one kilometer or more.

Carbon Capture Storage CCS

Challenge

CO2 is considered non-corrosive in dry conditions; however, the presence of “impurities” (water, H2S, or MEG) could affect metal and non-metallic materials. In 100% COconditions, elastomers are susceptible to swelling and changes in physical properties due to absorption of the dense phase of CO2. With PTFE-based materials, CO2 has been shown through immersion testing to have a limited impact on multiple physical properties (creep resistance, crystallinity, sorption, and swelling).

Solution

In partnership with an Energy major, the Omniseal Solutions’ technical team collaborated on a 100% COcertification campaign of several of our proprietary fluoropolymer materials that consisted of a bespoke immersion testing in compliance with the pass/fail criteria of NORSOK M-710, Edition 3.

The following are the selected materials used in testing:

  1. A02 - Proprietary Custom PTFE

  2. A19 - Proprietary Custom PTFE

  3. A21 - Proprietary Custom PTFE

  4. A20 - Proprietary Custom FEP

  5. A08 - Proprietary Ekonol Filled PTFE

  6. A09 - Proprietary Custom UHMW-PE

  7. A10 - Proprietary Custom PTFE

  8. A16 - Proprietary Custom PTFE

  9. Meldin® 5301 - Proprietary Custom PEEK

The following are the test conditions: 100% CO2, 345 bar [5000 psi], -46 / RT / 97°C / 127°C, up to 56 days (the selected pressure / temperature conditions ensure testing in liquid and supercritical CO2).

The result was EVERY selected material successfully passed the NORSOK M-710, Edition 3, acceptance criteria, proving that these materials are a better option compared to standard elastomers.

Energy plants
Rulon® Powder Group

Using 100% CO2 certified polymer materials ensure superior lifetime & reliability

Benefits

  • Superior lifetime compared to elastomers

  • Reduced downtime and improved reliability even in subsea environment

  • Third-party material certificates available upon request

  • Our design engineering team can customize Omniseal® spring-energized seals that cope with the most extreme operating conditions of Capture, Transport and Storage applications

Specifications

  • Volume: +5 / -1%

  • Tensile Strength: +50%

  • Elongation: +50%

  • Modulus: +50%

  • Visual: No dissolution, cracking, blistering or deformation

Tags: New Energies CCS 100% CO₂ Wellheads, Valves & Transfer Systems