Russian Scientists Develop a Way to Design Safer Hydrogen Pipelines
The work by researchers is expected to make hydrogen infrastructure more reliable.
Russian scientists at Perm National Research Polytechnic University have developed a new method for designing hydrogen pipelines. The approach makes it possible to precisely calculate destructive vibrations inside pipes. The researchers say the technique could significantly improve the reliability of hydrogen infrastructure in Russia.
What Works for Other Gases Can Be Dangerous for Hydrogen
Hydrogen is often described as a fuel of the future and a key element in the global shift toward green energy. But large-scale deployment has been slowed by safety risks, with transportation seen as the most serious challenge.
Hydrogen molecules are highly mobile and the gas is typically pumped under high pressure, which can generate intense vibrations. These vibrations can lead to microcracks in pipes, gas leaks, and, in the worst case, explosions.
In conventional pipeline engineering, dangerous vibrations are suppressed using special internal baffles - a standard solution for natural gas pipelines. But applying the same approach to hydrogen can have the opposite effect, amplifying vibrations and accelerating pipeline failure.
Two Baffles Are Not Enough
The Perm-based research team built a digital model that simulates how pressurized hydrogen flow interacts with internal baffles inside a pipe. The scientists tested both solid baffles and versions with openings, tracking how the gas strikes the first barrier, passes through openings, and behaves further downstream. The results showed that two baffles are insufficient for hydrogen pipelines - at least three are required to effectively reduce vibrations.
For practical use, engineers would first create a digital pipeline model with specific parameters in specialized software. The system then provides a ready-made design solution, indicating how many baffles are needed and whether they should include openings.
The researchers say the method could be applied in the design of main pipelines, hydrogen fueling stations, and fuel systems for power installations. By using the digital model, engineers can better protect equipment from damage and extend its operational lifespan.
