Dual-Pipe Hydrogen Pipeline Pressure Layout Against Diffusion Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional steel pipelines for hydrogen transport face issues with hydrogen embrittlement and diffusion losses due to hydrogen's high permeability, making direct hydrogen transport unsafe and inefficient, and existing solutions do not adequately address these problems.
Innovation Solution
A pipeline system with an outer pipe pressure greater than the inner pipe pressure, using suitable materials like polymeric pipes to minimize hydrogen diffusion and prevent embrittlement, and employing a pressure gradient to reduce hydrogen losses and enhance safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional steel pipes are used for hydrogen transport, then the pipeline system is simple and cost-effective, but hydrogen embrittlement and diffusion losses occur making transport unsafe and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The pipeline is divided into an inner pipe for hydrogen transport and an outer pipe for structural support and pressure containment. This segmentation allows the inner pipe to be made of hydrogen-compatible materials while the outer pipe provides mechanical strength, resolving the contradiction between safety and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner pipe is nested within the outer pipe, creating a dual-pipe system where the inner pipe handles hydrogen directly and the outer pipe provides structural support. This nesting arrangement enables safe hydrogen transport without requiring complete replacement of existing pipeline infrastructure.
2Productivity
If the inner pipe pressure is increased to improve hydrogen transport efficiency, then more hydrogen can be transported, but hydrogen diffusion through the pipe wall increases due to higher permeability
Solution Approach 1:
The inner pipe is constructed from composite materials or polymeric materials with low hydrogen permeability. This allows the system to maintain high transport pressures for efficiency while minimizing hydrogen diffusion losses through the pipe wall.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure relationship between inner and outer pipes is optimized to maintain sufficient pressure gradient for hydrogen transport while preventing excessive diffusion. The outer pipe pressure is controlled to be slightly higher than inner pipe pressure in certain sections to reduce diffusion驱动力.
3Reliability
If existing natural gas pipelines are replaced with new hydrogen-suited pipes, then hydrogen transport safety is improved, but the conversion becomes costly, resource-intensive, and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
An inner pipe suitable for hydrogen transport is inserted within the existing outer pipe infrastructure. This allows utilization of existing pipeline routes and support structures while providing hydrogen-compatible inner piping, thereby improving safety without complete replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The outer pipe serves dual functions: as structural support for the inner pipe and as part of the pressure containment system. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components and simplifies the conversion process from existing natural gas pipelines.
4Loss of substance
If a pressure gradient is created with outer pipe pressure greater than inner pipe pressure, then hydrogen diffusion losses are reduced, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure differential between inner and outer pipes is carefully controlled and optimized. By maintaining outer pipe pressure slightly higher than inner pipe pressure, the system reduces hydrogen diffusion驱动力 while using simple pressure control mechanisms rather than complex active control systems.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively reduces hydrogen diffusion and embrittlement, ensuring safer and more efficient transport of hydrogen by creating a pressure gradient that prevents hydrogen leakage and maintains the mechanical integrity of the inner pipe material.
Implementation Method 1
Due to the high permeability of steel to hydrogen, hydrogen can diffuse through conventional steel pipes, resulting in undesirable hydrogen leakage during transport
Implementation Method 2
the outer pipe pressure in the outer pipe is greater than the inner pipe pressure in the first inner pipe
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
The invention relates to a piping system (1) for transporting hydrogen, comprising an outer pipe (10) with a clear outer pipe diameter (12) and a first inner pipe (20) with a clear inner pipe diameter (22), wherein the first inner pipe (20) has a smaller clear inner pipe diameter (22) compared to the clear outer pipe diameter (12) and is guided inside the outer pipe (10), and wherein the outer pipe (10) contains a fluid outer pipe medium (15) and is subjected to an outer pipe pressure (P10), and wherein the first inner pipe (20) contains a fluid inner pipe medium (25) and is subjected to an inner pipe pressure (P20), wherein the inner pipe medium (25, 35) contains hydrogen or is hydrogen. The outer pipe pressure (P10) is greater than the inner pipe pressure (P20). The invention further relates to a method for transporting hydrogen with such a piping system (1).