TWI has joined forces with C-FER Technologies and the Sumitomo Corporation to launch a new Joint Industry Project (JIP) with pipeline operators and line pipe manufacturers to evaluate the suitability of natural gas pipeline networks for transporting hydrogen.

The project will serve as the foundation for the development of best practices, industry code revisions and standards to allow the repurposing of existing natural gas pipeline systems for hydrogen transportation.

Repurposing existing pipelines in this way will help progress hydrogen as a key component in decarbonizing the energy industry as a replacement for traditional hydrocarbon fuel sources.

The project will be comprised of four phases, including material assessments, small and full-scale testing of pipeline material under continuous hydrogen exposure, and an evaluation of the impact of hydrogen on pipeline performance and the remaining service life of legacy pipeline systems.

Testing will be conducted at TWI’s laboratories in Cambridge and also at C-FER’s facilities in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

The project analysis and test results will be used to determine how hydrogen service affects the safety, reliability, and management of legacy pipelines, and will contribute to provincial, federal and international efforts to decarbonis=ze and reduce greenhouse gas emissions across the global energy system.

"TWI is delighted to be working with C-FER and Sumitomo on this JIP. Our combined expertise in small to full-scale material and mechanical testing in hydrogen environments will provide unrivalled insight and knowhow for organizations concerned with safe and low-cost transportation of hydrogen via existing pipelines," said Abbas Mohimi, TWI’s Head of Regional Business Development.

"The collaboration between C-FER, TWI and Sumitomo brings together a truly global project team with the skills required to help industry ensure that natural gas pipeline systems can safely transport hydrogen. We are excited about this project because it is a critical component in accelerating the adoption of hydrogen in the energy system," said Kirk Hamilton, Senior Engineering Advisor for C-FER.

The project partners are seeking participation from global pipeline stakeholders interested in establishing safe hydrogen service parameters for a wide range of legacy pipeline materials.