Ensuring Safety and Suitability: Converting an Onshore Gas Pipeline for Green Hydrogen Storage
Key Ideas
- An onshore gas transmission pipeline is targeted for storing gaseous hydrogen, necessitating a comprehensive assessment of its integrity and materials suitability.
- Historical service challenges, including potential sour cracking and lack of previous inspections, raise concerns over the pipeline's fitness for hydrogen service.
- The project involves a detailed analysis of the pipeline's mechanical properties, defect tolerance, and integrity to ensure safe conversion and operation with hydrogen.
- The approach includes a systematic review of existing data, integrity threats assessment, and fitness-for-service evaluation to meet operational requirements under hydrogen service conditions.
The article discusses the transformation of an onshore natural gas transmission pipeline into a green hydrogen hub to cater to industrial needs and end-consumers efficiently. The pipeline, initially built in the 1970s with subsequent expansions leading to varied specifications and materials, is now being repurposed for storing gaseous hydrogen during peak demand periods and intermittent production phases. However, concerns arose regarding the pipeline's suitability for hydrogen service due to potential issues like low ductility, toughness, and historical challenges such as sour cracking and lack of thorough inspections.
To address these challenges, a comprehensive evaluation of the pipeline's integrity and materials was deemed necessary. The project entails identifying and assessing integrity threats related to hydrogen embrittlement, crack growth, stress corrosion cracking, and other risks associated with hydrogen operations. By conducting a detailed review of design, construction, and operational data, the project aims to define the pipeline's condition pre-conversion and evaluate defects like metal loss, geometric issues, hard spots, and bending strain that could impact its performance in hydrogen service.
Furthermore, a fitness-for-service assessment is being carried out to determine the acceptability of these defects within the operational parameters and loading conditions expected during hydrogen service. This meticulous approach ensures that the pipeline meets safety standards and operational requirements for hydrogen storage and distribution. By leveraging historical inspection data and integrity management practices, the project aims to make informed decisions to mitigate risks and ensure the successful conversion and safe operation of the pipeline for green hydrogen initiatives.
Topics
Projects
Green Energy
Materials Science
Pipeline Infrastructure
Risk Assessment
Industrial Safety
Maintenance Strategies
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