A Systematic Review of Multiphase Flow and Phase Change in Cryogenic CH4-CO2 Pipeline Systems
Abstract
The global transition toward sustainable energy systems underscores the strategic importance of methane (CH4)–carbon dioxide (CO2) mixtures in cryogenic applications. In Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) processing and Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) networks, such mixtures are routinely exposed to low-temperature environments where phase stability becomes critical. Under these conditions, the unintended formation of solid CO2 (dry ice) within pipelines poses significant engineering challenges, including flow blockage and potential equipment damage. Ensuring flow assurance therefore demands a rigorous understanding of the coupling between thermodynamic phase transitions and complex hydrodynamic behavior. This paper presents a comprehensive review of recent advances in gas–liquid–solid multiphase flow and phase change mechanisms in CH4-CO2 systems. It analyzes the thermophysical properties governing CO2 de-sublimation and hydrate crystallization, with particular emphasis on non-equilibrium kinetics and delayed nucleation phenomena. In addition, the study assesses the capabilities of advanced modeling approaches, including Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), Molecular Dynamics (MD), and Machine Learning (ML) techniques, in predicting flow regime transitions and slurry transport behavior.
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Evidence Hub reads this as a systematic review, done in computer models (in silico), not in people. Its evidence level is 5 of 5 (Very low · case / narrative / animal / in vitro / in silico). Case reports, narrative reviews, and animal, cell or computer-model studies give the weakest evidence for human health.
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