Investigate Damage Mechanisms for Hydrogen and Hydrogen/Natural Gas Blends to Determine Inspection Intervals for In-Line Inspection Tools

Overview

Main Objective

The project objectives are to (1) analyze failure mechanisms related to hydrogen and hydrogen/natural gas blends, (2) develop knowledge regarding critical flaw sizes and availability and accuracy of ILI tools, and (3) recommend changes to practices for determining reinspection intervals.

Public Abstract

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Transportation and distribution of hydrogen and hydrogen-blended gas will require conversion of existing natural gas and hazardous liquids pipelines. To ensure public safety, existing structural integrity management (IM) methods need to be reviewed, and possibly revised. This project will develop case studies of engineering critical assessments (ECAs), fitness-for-service (FFS) evaluations, and failure analyses (FAs) using the "what if" method. The research will demonstrate how the presence of H2 gas impacts pipeline threat investigations and in-line inspection (ILI) reinspection intervals. Proposed changes to IM methods should be evaluated for compatibility with different H2-blend percentages, consider prior experience and research, and confirm if threats are indeed affected by hydrogen. The project objectives are to (1) analyze failure mechanisms related to H2, (2) develop knowledge regarding critical flaw sizes and availability and accuracy of ILI tools, and (3) recommend changes to reinspection practices.

ANTICIPATED RESULTS: This research will provide insight into the effects of gaseous hydrogen-blends in pipelines on the integrity threat evaluations that affect pipeline reliability and public safety. Knowledge from prior work and pilot projects will be collected through a literature review, the ASME B31.8S and 49 CFR 192 Codes will be reviewed, case studies using ILI run data and information from ECAs, FFS, and FAs will be developed using the "what if" method, and recommendations for Code changes will be formulated. Pipeline operator end-users will be involved through our highly represented academic and industry Technical Advisory Panel.

POTENTIAL IMPACT ON SAFETY: Improved integrity threat evaluations for pipelines in hydrogen service will help pipeline integrity professionals reduce the risk for leaks or ruptures, with their associated environmental impact of gas escaping a pipeline, and hazards to the general public.

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