An Investigation into the Volumetric Flow Rate Requirement of Hydrogen Transportation in Existing Natural Gas Pipelines and Its Safety Implications
Abstract
:1. Introduction
2. Theory
2.1. Energy Contents of Natural Gas and Hydrogen Blends
2.2. Pipeline Transportation of Gases
2.3. Hydrogen Pipelines: A Case for Adopting Existing Natural Gas Pipelines
2.4. Flow Parameters in Hydrogen Pipelines
2.4.1. Hydrogen Blending Effect on Flow Parameters during Hydrogen Transportation in Existing Pipelines
2.4.2. Gas Compressibility and Compressibility Factor Effects on Hydrogen Transport in Existing Gas Pipelines
2.4.3. Embrittlement Concerns and How They Can Be Avoided in Hydrogen Pipelines
2.4.4. Hydrogen Blending Effect on Pressure Behaviour in Gas Pipeline Transport of Hydrogen
2.4.5. Hydrogen Blending Effect on Velocity during Hydrogen Transportation in Existing Gas Pipelines
2.4.6. The Concept of Erosional Velocity Limit
2.5. Gas Network Modelling
2.5.1. Capturing Individual Particle Interaction in Modelling of Gas and Hydrogen Blend Flow
2.5.2. Pressure Gradient and Pressure Losses Modelling
3. Study Methodology
3.1. Simulation Workflow for the Transportation of Hydrogen and Natural Gas Blends in Existing Gas Pipelines
3.2. Determination of Volumetric Flowrate Requirements for Constant Energy Delivery by Hydrogen and Natural Gas Blends through Natural Gas Pipelines (Free-Flow Modelling)
3.3. Investigating Safety Concerns of Hydrogen Transportation in Gas Pipelines
3.3.1. Investigating Hydrogen Blending Effects on Compressibility Factor in HP Pipelines
3.3.2. Investigating Hydrogen Blending Effect on Flow Velocity in HP Gas Pipelines
3.4. Keeping Pipeline Velocity Profiles within Recommended Limits with the Use of Compressor Stations
4. Results Presentation and Analysis
4.1. Constant Energy Delivery Volumetry Requirements of Transitioning from Natural Gas to Hydrogen
4.2. Investigating Safety Concerns in Transporting Hydrogen with Natural Gas Pipelines
4.2.1. Hydrogen Blending Effect on Compressibility Factor along the High-Pressure Pipeline
4.2.2. Hydrogen Blending Effect on Flow Velocity along High-pressure Gas Pipelines
4.3. Velocity Profiles Behaviour with Compressor Stations in Existing Gas Pipeline Networks for Flow of Hydrogen and Hydrogen and Natural Gas Blends
4.4. Downstream Pressure versus Velocity Trade-Off
5. Discussion
6. Conclusions
- This study explored the adoption of the existing natural gas pipelines for hydrogen delivery. A single pipeline flow was modelled to estimate the required volume of hydrogen needed to deliver the same amount of energy for a given volume of natural gas. Preliminary results from the study confirmed that a given volume of pure hydrogen gas would need to be tripled to deliver the same amount of energy as the same volume of natural gas, indicating the accuracy and validity of the model predictions.
- The second stage of the study also confirmed that an existing gas pipeline can accommodate hydrogen and natural gas blends with up to 40% hydrogen without the need for additional changes or investment in the pipeline infrastructure to mitigate internal erosion because the velocity profile was within the acceptable limits prescribed by API RP 14E. However, as the proportion of hydrogen in the blends was increased up to and beyond 60%, excessive pressure losses became eminent. This was characterised by the rising velocity, which eventually exceeded the erosional velocity limits before the gas reached the discharge point. This is a cause for concern because the pipeline could fail earlier than it is designed to last. To remedy this, technical solutions of using compressor stations or pipeline looping are recommended.
- A third objective of the study that investigated the effect of hydrogen blending on the behaviour of the compressibility factor also revealed that the compressibility factor could possess a wide range of values as the proportions of hydrogen and natural gas in the blends change. Consequently, disparate flow behaviours and resultant varying flow challenges would be faced when transporting hydrogen blends within existing pipelines.
- In a nutshell, this study has shown that increasing the capacity of a hydrogen pipeline by up to three-folds of a given capacity of an existing natural gas pipeline will result in the delivery of the same amount of energy but present peculiar flow behaviours and challenges that are different from those observed in conventional natural gas pipelines. This work, therefore, provides insights into the volumetric and safety considerations of designing hydrogen transportation through pipelines by blending with natural gas as the global community considers the replacement of natural gas with hydrogen in the energy transition and decarbonisation campaigns.
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Acknowledgments
Conflicts of Interest
References
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Property | Methane | Hydrogen |
---|---|---|
Molecular weight (g/mol) | ||
Density (kg/m3) | ||
Specific gravity | ||
Dynamic viscosity (Pa·s) | ||
Kinematic viscosity (m2/s) | ||
Gross heating value (MJ/m3) | ||
Thermal conductivity(W/(m·K)) |
Component | Mole Fraction (%) |
---|---|
Methane | 93.76 |
Ethane | 3.14 |
Propane | 0.62 |
Butane | 0.2 |
Pentane | 0.07 |
Nitrogen | 2.03 |
Carbon Dioxide | 0.18 |
Input Variable | Value | Unit |
---|---|---|
Pipe length | 342 | km |
Nominal pipe size, NPS | 36 | inch |
Pipe wall thickness | 0.25 | inch |
Maximum allowable operating pressure, MAOP (inlet) | 70 | bar (g) |
Outlet pressure | 17.34 | bar (g) |
Gas specific heat ratio | 1.4 | NA |
Standard temperature | 15.5 | °C |
Atmospheric pressure | 1.01325 | bar |
Number of length of pipe increment | 200 | NA |
The material of pipe construction | Carbon steel | NA |
Inclination angle | 0 | degrees |
Inlet pressure | 60 | bar (g) |
100 | 125 | 150 | 175 | 200 | 225 | 250 | |
(m/s) | 18.149 | 22.687 | 27.224 | 31.761 | 36.299 | 40.836 | 45.374 |
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Abbas, A.J.; Hassani, H.; Burby, M.; John, I.J. An Investigation into the Volumetric Flow Rate Requirement of Hydrogen Transportation in Existing Natural Gas Pipelines and Its Safety Implications. Gases 2021, 1, 156-179. https://doi.org/10.3390/gases1040013
Abbas AJ, Hassani H, Burby M, John IJ. An Investigation into the Volumetric Flow Rate Requirement of Hydrogen Transportation in Existing Natural Gas Pipelines and Its Safety Implications. Gases. 2021; 1(4):156-179. https://doi.org/10.3390/gases1040013
Chicago/Turabian StyleAbbas, Abubakar Jibrin, Hossein Hassani, Martin Burby, and Idoko Job John. 2021. "An Investigation into the Volumetric Flow Rate Requirement of Hydrogen Transportation in Existing Natural Gas Pipelines and Its Safety Implications" Gases 1, no. 4: 156-179. https://doi.org/10.3390/gases1040013