The Design and Engineering of Cross-Country Hydrogen Pipelines

Design of cross-country hydrogen pipelines is still uncommon. No industry-accepted codes and standards have been developed to guide the engineering and design of such facilities. A hydrogen pipeline was required to connect a hydrogen purification plant to an anhydrous ammonia production facility. Since no pipeline standards were available, special considerations were required during the design and engineering stages. The small molecular size and reactivity of hydrogen presented unique problems. So do the hydrogen embrittlement/attack/delayed failure phenomena, inverse Joule-Thomson effects and special concerns for commissioning, operation and maintenance. This paper will review world experience, the research, economics, design and safety considerations for hydrogen gas pipelines, as well as the engineering, design and construction methods which were considered necessary by Novacorp International Consulting Inc. for successful completion of the project.