Hydrogen Pipeline Liner With Diffusion Barrier for Trenchless Repair
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Solution Overview
Problem
Renovating hydrogen pipelines without trenching is challenging due to the special demands of hydrogen, which requires tight pipe seals to prevent oxyhydrogen formation and explosions, and existing technologies, including CIPP products, are not suitable for hydrogen pipes.
Innovation Solution
A liner with at least one fiber layer impregnated with a resin system and a hydrogen barrier layer, comprising materials like polymers, metals, oxides, or graphene, is introduced into the pipeline and cured, allowing for trenchless renovation and conversion of hydrogen pipelines, including those made of steel, to prevent hydrogen diffusion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional trenchless rehabilitation methods (CIPP products, retractable liners) are used, then pipeline renovation can be performed without excavation, but hydrogen tightness cannot be ensured due to material permeability issues
Solution Approach 1:
The liner employs a composite structure consisting of a fiber-reinforced resin system base layer combined with a hydrogen barrier layer. This multi-material composite approach allows the liner to simultaneously achieve the flexibility needed for trenchless installation and the impermeability required for hydrogen containment, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The liner applies different material properties to different functional requirements: the fiber-reinforced resin system provides structural strength and flexibility for installation, while the hydrogen barrier layer specifically addresses hydrogen impermeability. This local differentiation of material qualities allows the single liner product to satisfy both trenchless installation requirements and hydrogen tightness requirements.
2Strength
If steel pipelines are used for hydrogen transport, then pipeline strength and pressure resistance are improved, but hydrogen diffusion through the pipe wall occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The liner combines a fiber-reinforced resin system that provides structural strength to match or exceed the original steel pipeline's load-bearing capacity, with a hydrogen barrier layer that completely prevents hydrogen diffusion. This composite structure resolves the contradiction by providing both mechanical strength and hydrogen impermeability in a single rehabilitation product.
Solution Approach 2:
The fiber-reinforced resin system acts as an intermediary between the existing steel pipeline and the hydrogen barrier layer, providing structural support while the barrier layer prevents hydrogen diffusion. This intermediary structure allows the liner to fulfill both the strength requirements of steel pipelines and the tightness requirements for hydrogen containment.
3Length of stationary object
If long hydrogen pipelines are renovated with traditional methods, then excavation pits must be dug frequently, but this increases construction complexity and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The liner is manufactured as a flexible, continuous tubular structure that can be inserted into and rehabilitate long pipeline sections without requiring intermediate excavation pits. The flexibility of the fiber-reinforced resin system allows it to navigate long distances and conform to the existing pipeline, eliminating the need for frequent excavation interruptions and reducing overall construction complexity.
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 solution enables permanent prevention of hydrogen diffusion, allowing for the renovation of long hydrogen pipelines without trenches, supporting high-pressure operations, and ensuring safety by preventing explosions.
Implementation Method 1
the liner comprises at least one fiber layer which is impregnated with a resin system
Implementation Method 2
a liner is introduced into a pipeline (for example the hydrogen pipeline or the pipeline to be converted) and then cured
Implementation Method 3
wherein the hydrogen barrier layer is suitable for reducing the diffusion of hydrogen through the hydrogen barrier layer
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for repairing hydrogen pipelines or for converting a pipeline for the transport of hydrogen and the use of a liner for repairing hydrogen pipelines or for converting a pipeline for the transport of hydrogen.