Assessment of hydrogen embrittlement in pipelines due to hydrogen/natural gas blending

根据加拿大2050年净零排放的目标，天然气公用事业公司正在探索提供更清洁能源的方法。例如，Enbridge正在进行一个520万美元的项目，在他们的天然气分销网络中试验2%的可再生氢气与天然气的混合。氢气燃烧时不会排放二氧化碳，因此是更清洁的能源。这个低碳氢气混合项目是北美首个此类项目，是天然气供应绿色化的重要一步。然而，更高的氢含量需要与天然气混合，才能显著减少温室气体排放。在家庭和工业应用的天然气网络中实施氢气混合可能会影响现有的和新的管道网络。氢可以导致钢质燃气管道的环境辅助失效，其主要原因是氢和残余应力以及外加应力的共同作用。这种现象被称为氢脆，可能会导致灾难性的故障。该项目的目的是评估氢气与天然气混合对管材的影响，并确定新的和现有的天然气配气网络中为确保天然气管道安全运行所需的最大混合限制。拟议中的项目与加拿大国家研究委员会和Enbridge Gas Inc.合作。氢气是一种多功能和独特的能源载体，可以实现经济和环境效益，并可以在能源系统的清洁中发挥重要作用。此外，加拿大境内天然气/氢气混合分配管道网络的安装、运营和维护预计将创造数千个新的熟练工人和工程工作岗位。因此，这为大流行后的经济复苏开辟了道路。

In alignment with Canada's 2050 net-zero emissions, natural gas utilities companies are exploring ways to provide cleaner energy. For example, Enbridge is undertaking a $5.2M project to pilot the blending of 2% renewable hydrogen with natural gas in their natural gas distribution network. When burned, hydrogen does not emit carbon dioxide, hence, cleaner energy. This low carbon hydrogen-blending project is the first of its kind in North America and is an important step in greening the gas supply. However, higher hydrogen content needs to be blended with natural gas for a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Implementation of hydrogen blends into the natural gas network for homes and industrial applications can impact existing and new pipeline networks. Hydrogen can induce an environmentally assisted failure of steel gas pipelines that results mostly due to the combined action of hydrogen and residual and applied stress. This phenomenon is known as hydrogen embrittlement and may lead to catastrophic failures. The objective of this project is to assess the effect of blending hydrogen with natural gas on pipe steels and determine the maximum blending limits in new and existing gas distribution networks for the safe operation of gas pipelines. The proposed project is in collaboration with the National Research Council of Canada and Enbridge Gas Inc. Hydrogen is a versatile and unique energy carrier that enables economic and environmental benefits and can play a significant role in cleaning of energy systems. Furthermore, the installation, operation, and maintenance of the natural gas/hydrogen blend distribution pipeline networks across Canada is expected to generate thousands of new skilled workers and engineering jobs. Hence, sets the path to economic recovery post pandemic.