Session: FSI-03-01 Structures Under Extreme Loading Conditions-1

Paper Number: 155028

155028 - Fluid-Structure Interaction Analysis of Running Ductile Fractures in Dense-Phase Co2 Pipelines With Toroidal Ring Crack Arrestors 

Abstract: 

The increasing need for carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions has heightened interest in the safe transportation of carbon dioxide (CO2) through pipelines. CO2 is preferably transported in its dense phase or supercritical state. However, dense-phase CO2 pipelines are particularly susceptible to running ductile fracture (RDF) due to the unique decompression characteristics during an accidental release, which can lead to catastrophic pipeline failure if not effectively controlled. The objective of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of toroidal ring crack arrestors for preventing RDF in dense-phase CO₂ pipelines by carrying out the fluid-structure interaction (FSI) analysis to simulate the RDF process. The coupled Eulerian-Lagrangian (CEL) approach is employed to capture the interaction between crack propagation and CO₂ decompression. The GERG-2008 equation of state (EOS) is incorporated in the FSI analysis via a lookup table approach, validated using the shock tube tests, to evaluate the thermodynamic properties of CO₂ during the release. The structural response of the pipeline includes the elastic-plastic deformation of the pipe wall and the fracture behavior characterized using the cohesive zone model (CZM), enabling predictive simulations of the crack extension and arrest. Toroidal ring crack arrestors are placed externally around the pipe circumference; key design variables considered in the present study include the cross-sectional area of a single ring, the number of rings and their spacing at a given location, and the radial clearance between the ring and pipe wall. Parametric FSI analyses are carried out to simulate RDF in a hypothetical dense-phase CO₂ pipeline with representative pipe attributes by considering a typical fluid composition and different values of design variables for the toroidal ring arrestors. The analysis results shed light on the effectiveness of the toroidal ring arrestors for preventing RDF in dense-phase CO₂ pipelines and provide insights into the optimal design parameters for such arrestors. This study further demonstrates the feasibility and advantages of using the sophisticated FSI model to assess and improve the structural integrity of dense-phase CO₂ pipelines.

Presenting Author: Jinglue Hu Western University, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Presenting Author Biography: Jinglue is a PhD Candidate in Civil and Environmental Engineering at Western University. His research focuses on Fluid-Structure Interaction (FSI), fracture mechanics, and the challenges of CO2 pipeline transportation. Victor’s work involves advanced modeling of running ductile fracture in CO2 pipelines, integrating FSI techniques to improve our understanding of crack propagation and arrest mechanisms, which are crucial for enhancing the safety and efficiency of carbon capture and storage (CCS) infrastructure.

Authors:

Jinglue Hu Western University, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Wenxing Zhou Western University
Jidong Kang CanmetMATERIALS, Natural Resources Canada