Controlled cargo handling with piston fluid for pressurized liquid CO2 carrier

Abstract

This study proposed a concept of the cargo handling system to load the pressurized liquid CO2 into the CO2 carrier and to offload the cargo out of the carrier with the piston fluid in a controlled way. The carrier was designed to transport a large amount of the captured CO2 in liquid phase. The cargo containment system consisted of pressure vessels to withstand the elevated pressure condition. Employment of the piston fluid enabled the pressurized liquid CO2 to enter and leave the cargo vessels without phase change or evaporation of the cargo. An increased loading and offloading rate seemed to cause generation of emulsion droplets in the interface of the piston liquid and the cargo. The droplets were separated into the cargo and the piston liquid by a conventional separator. Fresh water was considered excellent piston liquid since it was easily available and immiscible with the liquid CO2. As the cargo temperature decreased, CO2 gas was found to serve as the piston gas.