Engineering consultancy Penspen will assess the use of oxygen as a potential solution to prevent hydrogen embrittlement as the UK builds out a national hydrogen pipeline network.
The project has been awarded by National Gas Transmission and is being funded through UK energy regulator Ofgem’s Network Innovation Allowance.
Hydrogen is known to cause steel pipelines to become more brittle by reducing their structural integrity. It poses a challenge for both new hydrogen infrastructure and the repurposing of existing gas assets.
Oxygen added in small, controlled amounts can inhibit embrittlement by absorbing onto the steel’s surface and blocking hydrogen from entering the metal.
The findings could play a key role in future pipeline projects.
National Gas Transmission is developing a proposed 1,500-mile hydrogen transmission system to support energy security and the decarbonisation of hard-to-abate industrial sectors.
According to Penspen, the study will draw on its experience supporting operators with hydrogen infrastructure projects across both transmission and distribution networks.
“The results will play a critical role in defining an optimised operating window in both new and repurposed pipelines, supporting the transition to low-carbon energy,” said Dominic Wynne, Regional Business Development Manager at Penspen.
Alongside oxygen dosing, engineers will also investigate alternative gas inhibitors and operating conditions that could reduce embrittlement risk while maintaining pipeline performance.
“Gas inhibitors have the potential to optimise the efficiency of pipeline networks containing hydrogen by enabling higher operating pressures, as well as larger and more frequent pressure variations,” said Robert Best, Innovation Engineer at National Gas.