NANOCOMPOSITE ADVANCED SURFACE PROTECTION FOR SAFE AND EFFICIENT HYDROGEN TRANSPORT IN EXISTING STEEL PIPELINES

Hydrogen transport through existing natural gas pipelines offers the most efficient, low carbon footprint approach for utilizing hydrogen from natural gas and other resources. However, existing natural gas infrastructure needs to be protected from any hydrogen (embrittlement, cracking and fatigue) related damage to the steel pipelines and flow efficiency of pipeline infrastructure must be improved to achieve safety and economic benefits necessary to move towards hydrogen economy.To transform existing natural gas infrastructure to handle blending of hydrogen safely and efficiently in natural gas stream Oceanit proposes to refine and mature its advanced nanocomposite surface protection technology, composed of multilayered nanocomposite coating (HydroPel) for application on new (factory coating) and existing pipelines (in-situ application) to prevent hydrogen embrittlement, cracking and fatigue in natural gas infrastructure.To overcome these challenges, Oceanit developed and successfully demonstrated the proof of concept of an advanced surface protection technology HydroPel, composed of multilayered nanocomposite coating for application on new (factory coating) and existing pipelines (in-situ application) under this Phase I effort. In Phase I, Oceanit designed, developed, characterized HydroPel using microscopy, X-ray diffraction and verified hydrogen embrittlement resistance through ASTM standard testing. When exposed to embrittling environments HydroPel treated steel showed negligible change to its fracture strength and specified minimum yield strength (SMYS) whereas unprotected bare steel failed due to hydrogen embrittlement. In Phase II, Oceanit proposes to continue the advancement of HydroPel technology through material refinement, long-term high-pressure testing, microscopic characterization under hydrogen exposure, flow loop studies under natural gas/hydrogen blends and field testing on a gas transmission pipeline in collaboration with industry partners.Oceanit’s proposed solution addresses two major issue in the pipeline industry, providing an effective solution to prevent hydrogen related damage and enhance the operational efficiency of existing pipelines. Energy employees and contractors. Oceanit’s HydroPel provides a much-needed solution to accelerate the development of hydrogen-based economy and reducing the carbon emission significantly. The proposed technology has widespread application in oil and gas mid-stream sector and other chemical, renewable energy-based hydrogen generation plants to utilize HydroPel to protect and operate hydrogen related pipeline and pumping infrastructure.