ANL-08-02 Overview of Interstate Hydrogen Pipeline Systems

Abstract

Design requirements for hydrogen pipelines are still evolving. Although there are several hundred miles of hydrogen pipelines throughout the world, most hydrogen pipelines are designed to transport hydrogen only short distances, from the production facility to the end-user. Many such applications typically represent only a few hundred feet of pipeline and operate with maximum pressures of considerably less than the 1,000 psi absolute (psia) or more that would likely be required for long-distance pipeline transmission of hydrogen. The safety record for these pipelines is considered to be very good. This safe history notwithstanding, the definition of required safety margins, codes, and standards for application to large-scale hydrogen transport remains a work in progress. It is therefore not possible at this time to definitively specify the design details of hydrogen transmission pipelines. However, based on the design parameters of some hydrogen pipelines and on experience with natural gas pipelines, it is reasonable to suggest some design parameters that could very well be applicable to the flow rates, distances, and pressures associated with the long-distance transmission of hydrogen via pipeline.