H2scan P&S Catalog 2025 - Flipbook - Page 34
To be effective, the approach will need to solve the problem
of pipe embrittlement, which arises from the contact of
hydrogen with steel, and the problem of leakage, which arises
from the nature of a gas made of remarkably tiny molecules.
In fact, hydrogen can permeate through pipe walls over time
and a buildup of hydrogen inside reutilised pipes could lead to
dangerous conditions.
The engineers understood that safety depended in part on
the ability to detect leaks and to measure how much hydrogen
gas was present. They sought a sensitive and precise sensor
technology that could measure hydrogen gas in the presence
of other gases and required minimal maintenance. Low
maintenance was a critical requirement because sensors
would be located on pipelines at great distances, making
sensor replacement or calibration very costly. The engineers
selected sensors made by H2scan.
In 2023, H2C teamed with H2scan, NOV Fiber Glass Systems,
and others to build a full-scale prototype and demonstrate
the H2C Safety Pipe technology. A 47-page 昀椀nal report was
prepared following 昀椀eldwork. The results validated the leakage
rates previously observed by studies conducted by Oak Ridge
National Laboratory and indicated these rates could lead to
hazardous concentrations in con昀椀ned spaces within several
days unless adequately addressed. Importantly, the prototype demonstrated that H2C's technology will mitigate such
leakage risks and enhance system safety and reliability by
continuously monitoring hydrogen concentration levels.
The advantages of safety pipe technology
The double-wall pipe system offers a solution for transporting
gaseous hydrogen through existing pipelines and in new
installations.
The sensors and the pipe design provide several key advantages:
Enhanced safety and control
Figure 1. A 昀氀ange connected to the H2C Safety Pipe test
system. Pressurised hydrogen 昀椀lls an inner carrier pipe made
of 昀椀breglass-reinforced polymer. An outer 'safety' pipe contains
any leaks; and the H2scan sensor (the grey rectangular
component connected through the flange into the space
between the two pipes) measures hydrogen concentration
within the annulus in real time.
The double-wall design isolates any hydrogen permeation or
viscous leaks from escaping into the external environment,
ensuring this hydrogen is safely removed well before its
concentration reaches hazardous levels.
Continuous monitoring of hydrogen concentration levels
within the annulus space provides 24/7/365 integrity
management. It connects to computer controls, ensuring that
issues are detected in real-time, and any areas of emerging
concern are promptly addressed before problems occur.
Reduced cost
Testing through prototype
One company working on a solution to these challenges is
H2Clipper Inc. (H2C) and its subsidiary, H2C Safety Pipe Inc.
The company has developed an H2 pipeline system comprised
of a relatively low-cost fibreglass-reinforced polymer pipe
inside a containment pipe and an automated system that
will purge the containment pipe of any leaked hydrogen.
H2C engineers needed to test their pipeline system to
validate installation, monitoring, and safety. A major
international hydrogen infrastructure company engaged
H2C to build a 10 m prototype system and to test it from
October 2023 to January 2024.
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By enabling the use of existing pipeline infrastructure for
hydrogen delivery, the system reduces the cost of acquiring
new right-of-way while avoiding the cost associated with
abandoning older pipelines. The technology also enables
the use of advanced materials, such as 昀椀breglass reinforced
polymer (FRP) pipe, which reduces total capital cost and
entirely avoids corrosion and embrittlement, two risks
concerning a traditional steel pipe.
Accelerated deployment
Retro昀椀tting existing pipelines with this technology approach
simpli昀椀es the logistical and regulatory challenges associated
with new pipeline construction. This includes minimising the
hurdles of right-of-way acquisition, which can often delay
projects and increase costs.
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