Carbon dioxide capture technology

25 November 2008

In order to ensure that CO₂ capture technology works as intended, DNV, together with the industry and Norwegian authorities, has developed a qualification procedure.
A great number of cutting-edge technologies are being developed to ensure the cleaner use of fossil fuels. Large-scale Carbon Capture, Transport and Storage is one of the most promising solutions in this transition.

“Today, DNV is releasing its new qualification procedure for CO₂capture technology. With this, stakeholders can rely on a common approach to ensure that the carbon capture innovations actually work as intended,” said DNV’s project manager, Tore Myhrvold.

The energy industry sometimes experiences unpleasant surprises in its efforts to apply new technology, resulting in cost overruns and delays. DNV’s recognised methodology for technology qualification has been applied to the most complex new innovations world-wide, and has assured stakeholders that the new technology works as intended.

Myhrvold explained that: “New CO₂ capture technology, however, is not adequately covered by established codes and procedures. The CO₂sector is relatively immature with unproven components, processes or systems with a general lack of historical data. The technologies that are to be commercialised within the CO₂ sector can be both emerging technologies and technology that is unproven on a large industrial scale.
To deal with these challenges, DNV’s qualification procedure for CO₂ capture technology explains in detail how to identify, assess and manage risks (failure modes or threats). This is done by following a set of sequential steps in the qualification process.

“By adhering to DNV’s qualification standard, a company can demonstrate to a project’s stakeholders that the technology will function within specific limits and with an acceptable level of confidence. For instance, one of the goals of the qualification process may be to demonstrate the reliability of the technology’s functionality. For the owner, it ensures thorough qualification testing and risk management of the development. For buyers or operators, the new standard reduces the risk entailed in implementing new technology,” explained Myhrvold.

The qualification procedure for CO₂technology came about through a joint industry project with Aker Solutions, Aker Clean Carbon, StatoilHydro and Statkraft. Gassnova SF, the Norwegian state enterprise for carbon capture and storage, financed a major part of the project.

DNV’s general procedure for such a systematic qualification process is stated in DNV Recommended Practice RP-A203: Qualification Procedures for New Technology. The development which is specific to CO₂ capture has been added to DNV’s RP-A203.