A comprehensive study of the effect of chemical impurities on selection and sizing of centrifugal machines for supercritical carbon dioxide transport pipelines

In this study, a quasi-dimensional model based on the laws of conservation was developed, validated with available experimental data and then used for a detailed investigation of the effect of various impurities on the performance of a centrifugal machine handling supercritical carbon dioxide of varying purity. Results of the study show that discharge pressure, power requirement and efficiency of a centrifugal machine are strongly dependent on certain key parameters; namely, the size and speed of its impeller rotor as well as the composition of the impure CO2 stream. More importantly, this study also demonstrates that the quasi-dimensional model can be used as a tool for appropriate selection and sizing of centrifugal compressors and booster pumps installed on a supercritical carbon dioxide transport pipeline.