Maximum Allowable Service Pressure for Steel Pipes Used for Transport of Hydrogen Pure or Blended with Natural Gas

Abstract

The addition of hydrogen to natural gas could have an impact on the degradation over time of the materials currently used for the storage, transport, distribution, and use of natural gas. The compatibility of these materials with natural gas containing hydrogen depends on the proportion of hydrogen added to the gas and is assessed with regard to several criteria: permeation of hydrogen through metallic materials, loss of integrity of these materials, and adaptation of follow-up actions in service, surveillance, and maintenance of equipment. This paper is devoted to the effect of Hydrogen Embrittlement (HE) by adding hydrogen into natural gas network on design, maintenance, supervision, and Maximum Allowable Operating Pressure (MAOP) for smooth and damaged pipes.