Composite Reinforced Pipe (6)
Criticality: Medium
Progress: Not Addressed
Score: 24
DOT Relevance:
Description of Key Area
Because of hydrogen’s low gravimetric and volumetric density,
many hydrogen transport solutions are looking to higher pressures to increase
storage/transport densities. Higher pressures lead to increased material needs
for pipelines and containers. The ability to use composite reinforcement can
mitigate the need for increased material, reducing the cost of hydrogen
transportation technologies.
Discussion of Criticality
Composite reinforced pipe technology is being examined for
hydrogen transport to address a number of issues related to metallic pipeline
materials: embrittlement, welding heat affected zones, reduction in the
quantity of pipe joins, etc. While potentially avoiding some of the problems
associated with metallic materials, composite pipe technology faces its own
hurdles, including lack of design specifications, qualification of joining
methods, permeation rates, robustness from external mechanical damage, etc.
Discussion of Progress
A limited number of composite reinforced pipe installations exist
but none in hydrogen service. Work is underway at ORNL to examine a number of
issues related to development and deployment of composite reinforced pipe for
hydrogen service.
Recommendations
When information is made available it will be added to the ASME
B31.12 code. At that time, ASME B31.12 may specify a minimum burst to operating
pressure ratio for composite piping. Standards for composite reinforced
materials for use as hydrogen piping should be established and incorporated by
reference into the federal code.
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