Carbon Capture and Sequestration (CCS) is a key decarbonization technology supporting the energy transition, with pipelines representing a primary means for CO₂ transportation. Ensuring pipeline integrity, operational reliability, and safety is therefore critical. This work evaluates the effectiveness of Vibroacoustic Technology (VT) as a robust leak detection and localization system for newly constructed and repurposed onshore and offshore CO₂ pipelines.
VT is a proven monitoring technology widely deployed for conventional fluids such as crude oil, refined products, and natural gas to detect leaks, impacts, and third‑party interference. Sensor blocks installed along the pipeline exploit its waveguide properties to capture vibroacoustic signals generated by hydraulic disturbances. These signals are transmitted to processing servers, where dedicated software applies an Advanced Vibroacoustic Negative Pressure Wave method for leak detection and a Time Difference of Arrival algorithm for localization.
To extend VT applicability to CO₂ service, the underlying physical models governing wave generation, attenuation, and propagation speed were updated and validated. A dedicated pilot test facility was designed and constructed at Eni premises, where controlled leak tests were performed on gaseous CO₂ using multiple hole sizes, pressures, and flow velocities. Experimental results showed good agreement with numerical predictions, confirming the feasibility of VT‑based leak detection in CO₂ pipelines and the adequacy of the revised models.
Based on these positive outcomes, VT has been deployed as a First‑of‑a‑Kind solution on an industrial CO₂ pipeline within Eni’s Ravenna CCS project in Italy. The system demonstrated the capability to detect leaks from holes as small as 0.25 inches, confirming VT as a reliable and robust monitoring technology for CO₂ transportation.