NATURALHY is an Integrated Project funded by the European Commission’s Sixth Framework Programme (2002-2006) for research, technological development and

NATURALHY is an Integrated Project funded by the European Commission’s Sixth Framework Programme (2002-2006) for research, technological development and demonstration (RTD)

Preparing for the Hydrogen Economy by Using the Existing Natural Gas System as a CatalystProject Contract No.: SES6/CT/2004/502661

The Safe Use of the Existing Natural Gas System for Hydrogen

(Overview of the NATURALHY-Project)

by

Onno Florisson, Gasunie, NL

Presented by Barbara Lowesmith, Loughborough University, UK



Main Political Drivers towards H2 Economy

Improved security of energy supply

Reduced CO2-emissions (Kyoto, >8% reduction by 2010)

Improved air quality



The transition to the hydrogen-economy will be lengthy, costly and

will require significant R&D

PRACTICAL STRATEGY

Transition to H2 Economy



Natural gas system could support transition by:

Offering smooth transition by initially conveying a hydrogen/natural gas mixture

Advancing use of H2 in shorter time-frame by extracting hydrogen from the mixture

Lowering costs by using the existing system

Providing opportunity to carry H2 to dispersed users through widespread natural gas system



The NaturalHy Approach

Full H2 area

H2

Natural gas



Impact of Adding H2 to Natural Gas System

Presence of hydrogen may affect: Safety of transmission, distribution, and

end-use Pipeline durability and integrity Gas appliance performance

Hence….The NaturalHy Project



NaturalHy Project Objective

Preparing for the hydrogen economy by defining the conditions under which the existing natural gas system can be used

for mixtures of hydrogen and natural gas, and where hydrogen can be separated

from the mixture downstream by membranes



The NaturalHy Project

39 European partners, including 15 from the gas business

Integrated Project within FP6 Budget of €17.3 million with €11

million grant from EC Started 1 May 2004 for 5 years



Project Partners Gas companies and gas research institutes

financed by gas companies BP Gaz de France Gasunie Shell Hydrogen Statoil Total Transco

DBI DGC DEPA GERG IFP IGDAS ISQ Naturgas Midt-

Mord



Project Partners (Cont’d) Universities and Institutes

Technical University Berlin National Technical University of Athens Leeds University Loughborough University Högskolan i Borås TUBITAK University of Warwick Ecole Nationale d’ingenieur de Metz Norwegian University of Science and

Technology NEN COGEN ECN HSE TNO CEA PLANET

Manufacturers and Consultants CSM CMI TOG GE/PII CETH SAVIKO Exergia SQS



Project Structure Divided into six technical work packages Production of H2 not included Hydrogen use not included Key focus on:

Socio-economic and life cycle analysis Durability and Integrity of pipelines Impact on overall safety Effect on existing gas appliances Membranes to withdraw hydrogen Decision tool to aid assessment of system

suitability



Safety Performance

Integrity Standards and norms

Full H2 area

H2-production

Natural gas production

Socio-economic &

LCA

Dissemination (in cooperation with HYSAFE)

H2-MembranesDurability

Collaboration with HYWAYS (roadmap development)



Major Focus on Safety Safety of Appliances

Flame instability? Pipeline System Durability

Hydrogen induced cracks? Will smaller defects lead to failure? Are plastic pipes permeable for hydrogen? Are meter seals permeable?

Pipeline Integrity Will smaller defects be significant? Can defects be detected and repaired?



Major Focus on Safety

Safety of the Public Increase in leakage due to hydrogen? Increased likelihood of accidental release

due to detrimental effect of hydrogen on materials?

Increased likelihood of ignition? Increased severity of consequences (eg

explosions) due to reactivity of hydrogen?



Durability of Pipelines (HYSAFE Paper by Alliat and Heerings)

Laboratory tests to assess effect of H2 on fracture toughness and fatigue crack growth

Investigation of the effect of H2 on the evolution of defects

Full scale fatigue and burst tests with defined defects

Numerical modelling of crack propagation

Laboratory tests on polymer permeability and ageing

Tests to assess effect of hydrogen on meter components



Integrity of Pipelines (HYSAFE Paper by Alliat and Heerings)

Assess minimum critical defect size by predicting the crack growth behaviour in presence of hydrogen

Assess current inspection techniques for detecting minimum defect size and improve the techniques

Assess current repair techniques for use in presence of hydrogen and improve as required

Develop integrity management tool for specifying pipeline inspection and maintenance plans



Assessing Public Safety Safety of existing gas infrastructure

quantified by considering: RISK = Likelihood of untoward Event x

Consequences

Individual Risk is the sum of risk of all possible events that could affect a given individual

Societal Risk is the sum of risk of all possible events over the entire population

Regulators use established guidelines on the acceptable level of Societal Risk


Preparing for the Hydrogen Economy by Using the Existing Natural Gas System as a CatalystProject Contract No.: SES6/CT/2004/502661Objectives of Safety Work

Package To assess the change in Individual and Societal Risk caused by introducing hydrogen into the gas infrastructure

Identify if any risk reduction measures or operational changes are required to achieve acceptable risk levels

Identify the maximum ‘safe’ percentage of hydrogen that can be introduced into the existing natural gas infrastructure


Preparing for the Hydrogen Economy by Using the Existing Natural Gas System as a CatalystProject Contract No.: SES6/CT/2004/502661Scope of Safety Work

Package Determine turbulent burning velocity of hydrogen/natural gas mixtures

Assess leakage and the likelihood of failure

Assess the ignition probability

Assess the consequences of accidental natural gas/hydrogen releases Gas accumulation, fires and explosions


Preparing for the Hydrogen Economy by Using the Existing Natural Gas System as a CatalystProject Contract No.: SES6/CT/2004/502661Scope of Safety Work

Package

Modify the Risk Assessment Methodology

Apply Risk Assessment to sections of gas infrastructure assuming a hydrogen/natural gas mixture is being conveyed



Large Scale Experiments Required to assess consequences of gas

releases. Experiments with up to 50% hydrogen to study: Gas release and explosions in

domestic environment and industrial enclosures

Vapour Cloud Explosions in congested regions

High pressure jet fires Pipeline failures



Summary

The NaturalHy Project aims to facilitate a transition to the hydrogen economy on a shorter timeframe by providing a transitional period based on using the existing gas infra-structure to convey a natural gas/hydrogen mixture



Summary The project will assess the feasibility of

using the system for NG/H2 mixtures, establish the limits of operation and methods for extracting hydrogen

A strong emphasis is placed on the continued integrity of the pipeline system and the safety of the public



Want to Know More? See our web-site on www.naturalhy.net

Documents

NATURALHY is an Integrated Project funded by the European Commission’s Sixth Framework Programme (2002-2006) for research, technological development and