hydrogen storage and transportation - is this feasible for

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www.xodusgroup.com

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Is This Feasible For Our Current Pipeline Network?

Soffiane Ounnas / 12th February 2020

Hydrogen Storage and Transportation

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> Introduction

> Hydrogen Economy

– Hydrogen Potentials (Supply and Demand)

– Hydrogen Generation Technology

– Hydrogen Production Classification

> Hydrogen Transportation by Pipelines

– Metallurgical Considerations

– Recommended Pipe Specifications

> Conversion of Existing Pipeline Network to Hydrogen Service

– Typical Requirements for Pipeline Service Conversion

– Potential Acceptable Pipelines

– Potential Hydrogen Generation/Storage Locations

> New Technologies and Further Developments

Presentation Overview

Hydrogen Storage and Transportation – Is This Feasible For Our Current Pipeline Network?

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> UK pledge to reduce its greenhouse gas (GHG) emission to net zero by 2050.

> To best meet this challenge, a sensible mix of technologies and behaviours is

required:

– Resource and energy efficiency.

– Extensive electrification, particularly of transport and heating.

– Societal changes.

> Hydrogen is a key lever to decarbonize the UK economy:

– Energy carrier

– Zero emissions at the point of use

– Versatile

> Potential to play a key role in the global energy system.

> For the development of a hydrogen economy, there is a need to determine strategic

locations and ways for generation, transport and storage of hydrogen.

Introduction


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Hydrogen as An Energy Vector


HeatElectricity

Transport Industrial feedstock

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Global Hydrogen Demand


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> Hydrogen does not occur naturally.

> Hydrogen is primarily produced by two methods:

– Steam reforming of fossil fuels, and

– Electrolysis (water splitting).

> Hydrogen generation produces GHG.

Hydrogen Generation


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> About 95% of the hydrogen currently used is produced via SMR of natural gas and the

subsequent water shift reaction:

– Steam methane reforming:

CH4 (methane) + H2O (water) → CO (carbon monoxide) + 3 H2 (hydrogen)

– Water-gas shift reaction:

CO (carbon monoxide) + H2O (water) → CO2 (carbon dioxide) + H2 (hydrogen)

Steam Methane Reforming


Source: Air Liquide

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> The CO2 by-product is typically vented to the atmosphere.

– However this is against the emission reduction targets of the UK.

> SMR process can be coupled with carbon capture and storage (CCS) to reduce carbon emissions

and achieve the net zero ambitions.

> Number of CCS methods available whereby CO2 can be captured as a gas and stored in salt

caverns, existing oil fields or used as feedstock for producing new chemicals.

SMR with CCS


Source: Global CCS Institute

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> Hydrogen production via electrolysis is the

breakup of water to hydrogen and oxygen

gases using an electrical current.

> By using renewable energy to power this

process, it becomes a carbon free way to

produce hydrogen.

> Currently only around 4% of global hydrogen

production is from electrolysis and a small

proportion of that utilises renewable energy.

Electrolysis


Source: Tractebel

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Brown Hydrogen

Hydrogen produced by

SMR and emissions

vented to atmosphere.

Hydrogen Production Classification


Source:

Air Products Source:

Energy Live News

Blue Hydrogen

SMR combined with

CCS.

Green Hydrogen

Hydrogen produced via electrolysis using renewable energy.

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> Using curtailed electricity to balance the electricity grid

– Excess electricity from renewable sources used to produce hydrogen by electrolysis.

– Hydrogen stored and used when demand exceeds supply.

Curtailed Electricity


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> Hydrogen transport by pipelines is highly

proven and understood.

> Currently circa 4,500 km of hydrogen

pipelines worldwide

> Operators are mainly large industrial gas

producers such as Air Liquid, Air

Products and Chemicals, Praxair, etc.

> Pipe sizes typically between 8-in & 12-in

> Design pressure typically in the range 40

to 60 bar.

> Pipelines typically made of carbon steel

(API 5L or ASTM-specified grades).

Hydrogen Pipelines


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> Hydrogen affects the properties of materials in a process called hydrogen gas embrittlement.

> This can cause:

– Hydrogen stress cracking

– Loss of tensile ductility

– Alteration of yield strength

– Reduced fatigue life.

> The severity and type of damage depends on the material characteristics and the service conditions.

> The metallurgical factors which affect the susceptibility to embrittlement include:

– Strength level

– Steel chemistry

– Microstructure

– Heat treatment condition

– Hardness

Pipe Properties Considerations


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> API 5L PSL2 specification or equivalent (ISO 3183, DNVGL-ST-F101)

> Pipes grades X52 (SMYS of 360 MPa) or lower.

> Steel chemistry:

– Controlled sulphur and phosphorus contents to improve toughness.

– Control of non-metallic inclusions.

– Max carbon equivalent of 0.35 is preferred (Pcm = 0.20% max).

> Max hardness of 250 HV10 (22 HRC).

> Ferrite grain size of ASTM 8 or finer.

> Quenched and tempered steels preferred over normalised or TMCP pipes.

> If these are not possible (or not available on existing pipelines), it is

recommended to limit the operating stress level in the pipe to 30% of the

SMYS, or 20% of the specified UTS

Recommended Pipe Specification


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> Converting oil and gas pipelines to hydrogen service is not new.

> The suitability of pipes for transporting hydrogen depends on a number of

factors including:

– Material,

– Operating pressure,

– Age

– Overall condition.

> Existing UK oil and gas subsea pipelines ranked for possible re-use for

hydrogen transport.

> Ranking criteria based on the following:

– Pipeline service: pipelines currently transporting NG are preferred.

– Pipeline age: Older pipelines are more likely to be made of suitable

lower grades of steel.

– Pipeline diameter: Focus on larger pipelines that could maximise

transport capacity.

Conversion of Existing UK Subsea Pipeline Network


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Conversion of Existing UK Subsea Pipeline Network


Line Colour Description Priority

Orange1980-2000,

Natural gas service1

Yellow2000 onwards,

Natural gas service2

Pink

1980 onwards,

utilities or crude oil

service

3

Grey

Missing data

and older than

1980

N/A

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> A strategic location is defined as a location with overlapping

possibilities for:

– Generation,

– Transport, and

– Storage.

Strategic Locations


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SMR with CCS Scenario


St Fergus / Grangemouth:

> Storage:

– Hydrogen: Liquid bulk storage tank at Grangemouth refinery

– CO2: stored in depleted offshore wells

> Transport:

– Hydrogen: injected into natural gas grid

– Transported to St Fergus via onshore pipelines, then to offshore wells for storage using pipelines in green

Teeside

> Storage:

– Hydrogen: salt caverns near Teeside

– CO2: stored in depleted offshore wells

> Transport:

– Hydrogen: injected into natural gas grid

– Transported to suitable subsea pipelines using onshore gas network then to offshore storage using subsea pipelines.

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Easington

> Generation:

– Electrolysis with electricity from Hornsea

windfarm.

> Storage:

– In salt caverns near Easington

> Transport:

– Transported onshore via subsea

pipelines for storage or immediate use.

Electrolysis Scenario


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> Exploit decommissioned oil and gas infrastructure such as platforms as

hydrogen generation facilities.

– CO2 stored at source in disused wells

– Hydrogen stored within the disused pipeline network or onshore

> Retrofitting/refurbishing existing subsea pipelines with plastic liners to make

them suitable for hydrogen service.

> Use of Reinforced Thermoplastic Pipes (RTP)

– Flexible composite technology to be used to transport green hydrogen

in the North of the Netherlands.

Future Technologies


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> The conversion of subsea pipelines from hydrocarbon transport to hydrogen

service is feasible

> The limitations of stress and material grades equates to a maximum

pressure in the range 50-150 bar for X52 pipelines, which appears

acceptable for hydrogen storage and transportation.

> Key locations were identified for blue and green hydrogen.

Conclusions


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> Further data gathering of pipelines parameters to remove assumptions

> Investigate next level of components – risers, spools, valves, etc.

> Look for synergies with upcoming offshore wind projects.

Next Steps


hydrogen storage and transportation - is this feasible for

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