CO2 capture, transportation and storage - Management of corrosion risks

This article is set against the broader backdrop of the energy transition and the reduction of CO ₂ emissions. For many industrial sectors, the transition to carbon-free renewable energy cannot happen very quickly and will require the adoption of technologies to limit CO ₂ emissions associated with the combustion of hydrocarbons. Carbon capture, transport, and storage (CCTS) processes are among the well-established solutions for contributing to the energy transition. To ensure their rapid and safe deployment, it is essential to understand and manage the risks associated with these technologies, among which corrosion plays a central role. Indeed, CO ₂ is a corrosive acid gas, and the implementation of the CCS&T chain involves the use of industrial steel facilities: capture units, transport pipelines, injection well casings, and so on. It is essential to account for the various types of corrosion that can affect these infrastructures in order to ensure their durability, minimize the risk of leaks, and optimize overall costs.

This article therefore aims to present the main challenges related to corrosion in the CCTS chain. It is divided into three main chapters. The first focuses on the various CO ₂ capture processes in industrial facilities such as thermal power plants, steel mill blast furnaces, and cement kilns. Technologies for direct air capture (DAC) of CO ₂ are not covered here. The second chapter addresses issues related to the transport of pressurized CO ₂ via pipelines or by ship, with a particular focus on the effect of impurities. Finally, the last chapter presents geological CO ₂ storage and the management of well and surface facility integrity.