The ROSEN Group and National Gas have started work on an intensive research project to find ways to mitigate the potential for embrittlement of pipeline steel in hydrogen service.
This project will utilise ROSEN’s newly developed materials testing laboratory dedicated to testing under hydrogen conditions.
The conversion of existing pipeline infrastructure to transport hydrogen or blended mediums rather than natural gas alone is a critical element of the energy transition. Therefore, fully understanding the effects of hydrogen on pipeline materials is vital in determining potential asset lifetimes, understanding potential issues, and determining safe operating conditions.
Steel embrittlement is one such issue, and developing methods for mitigating this risk will be invaluable when it comes to safeguarding the use of existing assets while transitioning to a decarbonized future.
The goal of this research is to understand the impact of hydrogen on steel pipelines and how it may be mitigated. Several studies have shown that oxygen may reduce the embrittlement effects of hydrogen.
The dedicated ROSEN hydrogen test laboratory built by ROSEN in Lingen, Germany, is fully equipped to conduct all the necessary tests and supported by a dedicated team of materials and pipeline integrity experts on hand to analyse the results of those tests.
It serves as a critical element in ROSEN’s ambitious mission to de-risk the introduction of renewable fuels and help operators by assuring a safe and reliable future energy supply.
Research project focuses on pipeline steel for hydrogen use
