An Investigation into the Volumetric Flow Rate Requirement of Hydrogen Transportation in Existing Natural Gas Pipelines and Its Safety Implications (original) (raw)
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International Journal of Pressure Vessels and Piping, 2018
Developing an economy based on a reduction in the use of fossil fuels in power generation and transport leads to an increased interest in hydrogen as the energy carrier of the future. Pipeline transmission appears to be the most economical means of transporting large quantities of hydrogen over great distances. However, before hydrogen can be widely used, a new network of pipelines will have to be constructed to ensure its transport. An alternative to the rather costly investment in the new infrastructure could be a utilization of the existing network of gas pipelines by adding hydrogen to natural gas and transporting the mixture. The new solution should be analysed regarding issues related to compression and the transport process itself, but consideration should also be given to the problem of the consequences of a gas pipeline failure. The paper presents the results of a comprehensive analysis of the process of compression and pipeline transport of the natural gas/hydrogen mixture with safety issues.
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Hydrogen delivery is a critical contributor to costs, emissions, and energy consumption associated with hydrogen pathways involving central plant production. Pipeline transmission appears to be the most economical means of transporting large quantities of hydrogen over great distances. The aim of this study is to analyze H 2 compression and pipeline transportation processes with safety issues related to water electrolysis and H 2 production for different values of the hydrogen mass flow rate: 0.2, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, and 2.8 kg/s. Pipelines are operated at an initial pressure of 10 MPa at 300 K. Depending on the hydrogen mass flow rate, various types of compressors have been proposed, including reciprocating, conventional multistage centrifugal compressors, and an eight-stage integrally geared centrifugal compressor based on the concept of advanced centrifugal stages. Another problem analyzed in this study is H 2 pipeline transport from the compressor outlet site to salt caverns under heat-transfer conditions. In order to avoid the choking condition, recompression of H 2 is necessary at appropriately selected transportation distances. Simulations are conducted to determine the maximum safe distance of the pipeline to subsequent booster stations depending on the mass flow rate, pipeline diameter, ambient temperature, thermal insulation thickness, and ground-level heat transfer conditions. This analysis makes it possible to select pipeline diameters of 0.065 m, 0.1 m, 0.15 m, and 025 m, depending on the predetermined hydrogen mass flow rate, at the transportation distance of 50 km. If the H 2 pipeline gets damaged and an uncontrollable release of hydrogen occurs, hydrogen pipeline transport poses a potential hazard to humans and the surroundings. In the case of a hydrogen jet fire, zones with a fatal effect on humans are presented.
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This paper analyses the transportation and delivery features of hydrogen as energy market evolves and approaches a fully functional Hydrogen economy. Initially physical aspects have been assessed that affect the flow of hydrogen through the existing pipeline infrastructure. Line pack and compressors are the only identified problems that need to be addressed. This is followed by an investigation into the mixing of hydrogen with natural gas gradually. It was revealed that a mix of up to 17% by volume does not have any significant effect, however higher concentration of hydrogen leads to a changeover of high-pressure grid pipelines as well as the end-user applications. It is suggested that initially hydrogen can be introduced in the distribution system, while emphasizing towards developing means for high-pressure transportation of hydrogen fuel gas. Government policies towards encouraging use of hydrogen in an evolving market is important for widespread and early assimilation in energy mix. Renewable sources of energy are recommended for distributed generation of hydrogen along the pipeline network.
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The use of hydrogen as a non-emission energy carrier is important for the innovative development of the power-generation industry. Transmission pipelines are the most efficient and economic method of transporting large quantities of hydrogen in a number of variants. A comprehensive hydraulic analysis of hydrogen transmission at a mass flow rate of 0.3 to 3.0 kg/s (volume flow rates from 12,000 Nm3/h to 120,000 Nm3/h) was performed. The methodology was based on flow simulation in a pipeline for assumed boundary conditions as well as modeling of fluid thermodynamic parameters for pure hydrogen and its mixtures with methane. The assumed outlet pressure was 24 bar (g). The pipeline diameter and required inlet pressure were calculated for these parameters. The change in temperature was analyzed as a function of the pipeline length for a given real heat transfer model; the assumed temperatures were 5 and 25 °C. The impact of hydrogen on natural gas transmission is another important issue....
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This article presents the framework of a mathematical formulation for modelling and evaluating natural gas (NG) pipeline networks under hydrogen injection. The model development is based on gas transport through pipelines and compressors which compensate for the pressure drops by implying mainly the mass and energy balances on the basic elements of the network. The model was initially implemented for natural gas transport and the principle of extension for hydrogen-natural gas mixtures is presented. A published pipeline network is revisited here for the case of hydrogen-natural gas mixtures. Typical quantitative results are presented, showing that the addition of hydrogen to natural gas decreases significantly the transmitted power: the maximum fraction of hydrogen that can be added to natural gas is around 6% mass for this example.
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When dealing with search for ideal energy production solutions, one of the direction may be the use of hydrogen based on excess electricity. Gaseous state and the existing gas network can be used to deliver it to customers. Quantity of hydrogen in the natural gas system would be different depending on its production, hence it should be sent as an additional component sent by pipeline next to natural gas. Due to the difference in its physicochemical parameters with respect to the characteristics of natural gas, the work of gas compressors at different hydrogen concentrations will be different. An additional aspect taken into account when considering the effect of hydrogen on the performance of the compressor is the change of the main parameters which characterizes the flow. It may turn out that they will also positively influence the work of compression needed in the same compressor stations. Such changes may in consequence lead to additional savings, some of which are described in this paper.
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Pipeline transportation is widely regarded as the most cost-effective method for conveying substantial volumes of hydrogen across extensive distances. However, before hydrogen can be widely used, a new pipeline network must be built to reliably supply industrial users. An alternative way to rather expensive investments in new infrastructure could be to use the existing pipeline network to add pure hydrogen to natural gas and further transport the gas mixture in an industrially safe way. The new solution necessities will be examined for compression, transportation, and fire hazard accidents, which have not been scrutinized by other scholars. This study presents the results of a comprehensive analysis of the methane–hydrogen mixture compression process and a mathematical description of the main pipeline operation during gas mixture transportation, considering industrial fire safety issues. By examining a case study involving a main gas pipeline and its associated mathematical model fo...
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The depletion of stocks of fossil fuels and the environment protection requirements increase the significance of hydrogen as a future energy carrier. The present research is focused on the development of new safe methods of production, transport and storage of hydrogen. The paper presents an analysis of problems related to the assessment of the effects of failure of hydrogen transporting pipelines. Scenarios of hazardous events connected with an uncontrollable leakage of hydrogen are discussed. The sizes of heat radiation and pressure wave hazard zones are determined.