Research

The project addresses several industry needs regarding the testing of pipeline materials in a hydrogen environment to characterise the change in material properties. This information is used to create a material database of Australian pipeline material performance in hydrogen service, which allows for the development of new design equations and predictive models. In addition, the project provides a hydrogen testing lab capable of characterising material performance and meet the testing demand currently required by the industry.

The project addresses several industry needs regarding the testing of pipeline materials in a hydrogen environment to characterise the change in material properties. This information is used to create a material database of Australian pipeline material performance in hydrogen service, which allows for the development of new design equations and predictive models. In addition, the project provides a hydrogen testing lab capable of characterising material performance and meet the testing demand currently required by the industry.

The research of the project revolves around the testing of six representative Australian pipeline materials provided by industrial partners hoping to introduce hydrogen into their transmission lines without reducing their operating pressures significantly. A large set of laboratory test will be conducted, which characterises the strength, fracture, and fatigue properties of each pipeline. Additional tests explore the promising effects of impurities on fracture and fatigue performance. New test methods and equipment will be created to meet the specific requirements of hydrogen testing in the Australian context of operating conditions.

The project will disseminate the obtained information by creating a material dataset available to industry partners, producing industry relevant research reports, contributing to scientific knowledge through high quality academic journals, and presenting results at industry focused conferences. In additional, tours of the testing facility will be provided twice yearly and the researchers will develop training courses where design engineers can learn about the intricacies of testing material in a hydrogen environment.

This project addresses the knowledge gaps for industry which are critical to making hydrogen transmission a reality in Australia. It will provide the skills and know-how information to reduce the costs of repurposing existing infrastructure and developing new pipelines. Furthermore, experience gained and techniques developed in the H2SAFE(TI) Lab will allow for meeting industry demand and be self-supporting beyond the current end-date of the Future Fuels CRC.

Douglas Proud

Research & Utilisation Program Coordinator

douglas.proud@futurefuelscrc.com