Traditional hydrogen blending could damage gas pipelines
Researchers at the University College London have revealed in new research that the pumping of hydrogen into gas networks pose risks and that usual blending techniques require rethinking.
The study, published in the International Journal of Hydrogen Energy quoted by pv magazine stated, “The strongly inhomogeneous distribution of hydrogen within the pipe flow and on the pipe walls could indicate the location of potential pipe material degradation, including embrittlement effects of gas pipelines.” The researchers reportedly focused on the common blending method, based on the injection of hydrogen through a side branch into a main gas header pipe (T-Junction).
It further posited, “The low molecular mass of hydrogen reduces the penetration of a side-branch flow and increases the buoyancy forces leading to stratification with high hydrogen concentrations on the upper pipe surface, downstream of the branch. Top-side injection leads to the hydrogen concentration remaining >40% for up to eight pipe diameters from the injection point for volumetric dilutions less than 30%. Under-side injection promotes mixing within the flow interior and reduces wall concentration at the lower surface, compared to top-side injection.”
Nel, a Norwegian renewables company specializing in providing solutions for the production, storage and distribution of hydrogen has decided to double production of alkaline electrolyser stacks to 1 gigawatt (GW), by building a new, fully automated production line in Herøya, Norway, according to new report. The firm disclosed that the €35 million ($36 million) production line is expected to be in operation from April 2024. The company reportedly made the investment decision a couple of weeks after it secured a record order for 200MW of alkaline electrolyser stacks from an undisclosed US customer. Nel also obtained a purchase order from a European client that it refused to disclose for the delivery of several units that would be used in fueling light and heavy-duty fuel cell electric vehicles.
Global fuel cell market insights
A new report by Fortune Business Insights has projected that the global fuel cell vehicle market might grow from $446.7 million in 2018 to $6.73 billion by 2026, a compounded growth rate of 29.7%. Stringent regulations on carbon emissions, electric vehicle proliferation in emerging economies, longer driving range amongst others were listed as market growth drivers by Fortune Business Insights, as reported by pv magazine. The Asia-Pacific region would dominate the market due to favourable policies, it added.
Meanwhile, Research and Markets said in a new report that the global fuel cell market size will grow to $2.9 billion this year. It stated that it expects the global market to hit $9.1 billion by 2027, at a CAGR of 26.0%. Station application of fuel cells is the largest segment of the market, followed by transportation, said the market research firm.
