What's Happening?
Penspen, a UK-based engineering consultancy, and National Gas Transmission have launched a study to address hydrogen embrittlement in steel pipelines. This initiative aims to repurpose over 6,000 km of natural gas corridors for hydrogen use, a critical
step in the UK's transition to zero-emission technology. The study focuses on using impurity gases, such as trace oxygen, to prevent atomic hydrogen from weakening steel, thereby maintaining pipeline integrity. This collaboration seeks to develop practical solutions for integrating hydrogen into existing infrastructure, which is essential for advancing the UK's energy transition goals.
Why It's Important?
Hydrogen embrittlement poses a significant challenge to the safe and efficient use of hydrogen in existing steel pipelines. Addressing this issue is crucial for the UK's energy transition, as building new hydrogen pipelines would be costly and time-consuming. By finding ways to retrofit existing infrastructure, the study could enable the UK to quickly increase hydrogen use, reducing CO2 emissions and supporting industrial decarbonization. This approach not only saves costs but also accelerates the adoption of green hydrogen in power generation, heavy industry, and transport, contributing to the UK's net-zero targets.
What's Next?
The study will explore the effectiveness of gas inhibitors in preventing hydrogen embrittlement, with plans to release a best-practice guide for operators. This guide will include recommendations on inhibitor mixes, monitoring strategies, and steel grade usage. Successful implementation could lead to widespread adoption of hydrogen in existing pipelines, significantly impacting the UK's energy landscape. The study's findings will be crucial for policymakers and industry leaders as they develop strategies to integrate hydrogen into the national energy grid.
