CCUS Pipeline Solutions
CCUS (Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage) infrastructure requires continuous, precise monitoring of CO₂ stream composition - including water content, co-contaminants (H₂S, NOₓ, SOₓ), and hydrocarbon carryover - to ensure safe pipeline operation and verify storage integrity. Current approaches rely on periodic offline GC sampling with 12–24 hour laboratory turnaround, which is inadequate for dynamic pipeline conditions. NIR inline spectroscopy offers continuous, real-time fluid characterisation that could replace periodic sampling entirely for routine composition monitoring.
Findings
What We've Established
NIR in High-Pressure CO₂ Environments
NIR spectroscopy has been used in upstream oil and gas for inline fluid characterisation for over two decades, demonstrating robustness at elevated temperatures and pressures. The specific challenge for CCUS streams is the dense-phase or supercritical CO₂ matrix, which produces pressure-dependent spectral shifts requiring composition-aware calibration. Literature precedent exists for CO₂ purity and water measurement in dense-phase conditions.
Baker Hughes Application Submission
We identified the Baker Hughes CCUS technology portfolio as a strategic alignment target and submitted a formal application and pitch deck outlining our NIR architecture, prior validated measurement work, and the proposed CCUS monitoring system concept. The submission was directed to their technology partnerships and open innovation programme.
Methodology
Technical Approach
Proposed system architecture: inline NIR probe positioned at pipeline inspection points with a ruggedised spectrometer unit operating in a pressure-rated enclosure. Calibration would require controlled test-bench measurements across the operational composition and pressure range, followed by a full pipeline pilot. This is a multi-phase development programme with an initial feasibility study phase.
Status
Where We Stand
Pitch deck submitted to Baker Hughes. Awaiting review and response through their open innovation programme. This is an early-stage partnership exploration - no technical work has commenced.
Roadmap
Next Steps
Follow up with Baker Hughes on pitch deck submission
If interest is confirmed, scope a joint feasibility study for dense-phase CO₂ NIR calibration
Identify other CCUS operators or EPC contractors in the region as alternative entry points
Review published literature on high-pressure NIR spectroscopy calibration for CO₂-rich streams
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Interested in This Research?
If you have relevant data, domain expertise, or a measurement problem in this area, we're open to research collaboration and data-sharing agreements.