HYDROGEN BLENDING IN NATURAL GAS PIPELINES: STEEL INTEGRITY AND HYDROGEN EMBRITTLEMENT RISKS

Abstract

The depletion of fossil fuel reserves, coupled with the environmental challenges of their combustion, primarily the acceleration of global warming, has shifted focus toward alternative energy sources. Hydrogen gas is a particularly promising option, as it burns cleanly without producing carbon dioxide and is widely recognized as a green energy carrier. Given the extensive infrastructure already in place for natural gas (NG) transportation, repurposing this network for transporting an NG-hydrogen blend could contribute significantly to achieving a carbon-neutral economy. Hydrogen-natural gas blending has gained considerable attention in recent years. However, a major challenge in this approach is the risk of hydrogen embrittlement (HE), a process where hydrogen atoms infiltrate the metal lattice, weakening the material's mechanical properties and potentially causing sudden, severe failures under stress. To assess the feasibility of hydrogen blending within the current NG distribution network, a thorough analysis of pipeline steels is crucial.