As an important carrier of future energy, hydrogen has strict requirements on material performance for its transportation pipelines. Mild steel pipe is widely used in traditional pipeline system due to their good plasticity and weldability. So, are mild steel pipes suitable for hydrogen pipelines? The answer is: Yes, but a series of safety measures must be taken.

Advantages of mild steel pipes as hydrogen pipelines

Hydrogen pipelines are pipeline systems that transport hydrogen from the production site to the site of use. Mild steel pipes are a commonly used pipeline material with good plasticity and weldability. They perform well in traditional transportation media and have mature application experience:

1. Good processing performance

Mild steel pipes have excellent plasticity and weldability, making them easy to manufacture and install.

2. Mature application experience

In the transportation of traditional media such as oil and natural gas, the use of mild steel pipes has been very mature, and their process and maintenance systems are relatively complete.

Safety issues of mild steel pipes as hydrogen pipelines

Compared with traditional media, hydrogen transportation has the following special problems:

1. Hydrogen embrittlement problem

Hydrogen molecules have extremely strong permeability and are easy to diffuse in metals. Under high pressure or high temperature environment, they may cause material embrittlement or even brittle fracture. Hydrogen is usually stored and transported under high pressure, and the material needs to have sufficient pressure resistance to cope with possible extreme working conditions.

2. Permeability

If mild steel pipes are directly used for hydrogen transportation, hydrogen molecules may diffuse along grain boundaries or defective parts, reducing the overall safety of the pipeline.

Measures to ensure the safe use of mild steel pipes

In order to solve these problems, the following measures can be taken:

1. Select high-strength mild steel pipes

Select high-strength mild steel pipes to improve the pressure resistance and strength of the pipeline, thereby reducing the risk of the pipeline.

2. Hydrogen permeability test

Use hydrogen permeation test to test the permeability of mild steel pipes to ensure the safety of the pipeline.

3. Segmented design

Set up multiple sections of pipelines with smaller cross-sections in the hydrogen pipeline to reduce the risk of pipeline explosion.

4. Add anti-seepage and anti-corrosion additives

Inject special additives into the pipeline to prevent hydrogen penetration and prevent pipeline corrosion, cracks and fatigue.

Conclusion

In summary, mild steel pipes can be used for hydrogen pipelines, but some special measures need to be taken to ensure the safety of the pipeline. For the pipeline design of hydrogen transportation, it is necessary to fully consider the material effectiveness and safety of the pipeline to reduce safety accidents during hydrogen transportation.