Design and operation of compression system for one million tonne CO₂ sequestration test

Abstract The Midwest Geological Sequestration Consortium, one of seven US Department of Energy Regional Sequestration Partnerships, began a large‐scale injection of 1000 tonnes (metric tons) per day of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) at the Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) facility in Decatur, Illinois, in November 2011. This project is also known as the Illinois Basin – Decatur Project (IBDP). Trimeric Corporation had process engineering design responsibility for the compression and dehydration facility that is used to take atmospheric pressure CO 2 from the ADM ethanol fermentation process and deliver dehydrated, supercritical CO 2 to the injection well. An overview of the project design basis and the requirements that led to the selected process design is presented. An explanation of the equipment selection process is provided. An overall system design review including the multistage centrifugal blower, reciprocating compressors, triethylene‐glycol dehydration system, multistage centrifugal pump, and the pipeline is presented. Lessons learned during commissioning, startup, and operations are discussed. Future project concerns are discussed.