NTT to study hydrogen transportation through existing pipelines

According to a paper published by the International Renewable Energy Agency, “Hydrogen has emerged as an important part of the clean energy mix needed to ensure a sustainable future.” However, the large-scale, stable transportation of hydrogen through new pipeline infrastructure faces issues including land acquisition construction costs and building time. Utilising existing pipeline infrastructure can solve these issues, and this new study represents the next step in this model’s proof-of-concept process.

The study will examine a double-piping system in which a hydrogen pipeline is placed in an existing pipe (the “sheath pipe”) buried underground. Factors to be measured and contributed to the formulation of technical standards include:

• On-site investigation of hydrogen leakage detection.
• Verification of detection of signs of abnormality.
• Establishment of a control sequence to ensure safety.
• Performance evaluation of various hydrogen sensors in a real-world environment.

Safety measures will be investigated under the assumption of unsteady conditions including rupture accidents and natural disasters during pipeline operation. In addition to examining the safety measures necessary for such use of existing pipelines, the study will verify the profitability of such projects, including cost analysis of transportation; energy input; and economic efficiency, as compared to other hydrogen transportation means.

Based on the knowledge and data gained through this project, NTT Anode Energy and its collaborators will promote and establish technical studies on safety measures for practical use. Ultimately, the project will also support the future supply of hydrogen to urban areas (e.g., public and commercial facilities, data centres and communications buildings; fuel cell vehicles; hydrogen stations, etc.), supply through pipelines utilising communication pipelines (e.g., cable tunnels) and will contribute to the development of smart cities and the establishment of hydrogen supply means through pipelines in regions with a view to a society that consumes a large amount of hydrogen through the development of CO₂-free hydrogen.

This project is being conducted in accordance with the "Research and development for the full-scale popularisation of ultra-high pressure hydrogen infrastructure/Research and development for international development, international standardisation, etc./Research and study for the examination of technical standards for hydrogen supply infrastructure, etc." of the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organisation.

Primary Areas of Research by Collaborator:

NTT Anode Energy

• Hydrogen leakage detection.
• Abnormal sign detection.
• Hydrogen sensors investigation.
• Investigation of residual hydrogen concentration at the time of hydrogen leakage.
• Investigation of explosion effect of manhole cover.

AIST

• Investigation of fire flame behaviour caused by the ignition of leaked hydrogen in a simulated double piping system.

Toyota Tsusho

• Clarification of unit costs through verification of equipment, installation and safety costs.
• Verification of advantageous conditions and business establishment requirements of pipeline transportation.

For more news and technical articles from the global hydrogen sector, read the latest issue of Global Hydrogen Review magazine.

Global Hydrogen Review's Spring 2022 issue

The inaugural issue of Global Hydrogen Review is full of detailed technical articles and case studies exploring the entire spectrum of hydrogen production and its applications worldwide. This issue covers a range of topics including the current status of blue hydrogen, how cryogenic technology is helping to shape the energy transition, and integrity management of hydrogen pipelines. Other features include green hydrogen, simulation, transportation, compressor technology, and much more.

Read the article online at: https://www.globalhydrogenreview.com/hydrogen/26072022/ntt-to-study-hydrogen-transportation-through-existing-pipelines/