1. (overview of the NATURALHY-project)
Preparing for the hydrogen economy by using the existing natural gas system as a catalyst
(overview of the NATURALHY-project) by
Dave Pinchbeck, GERG –
The European Gas Research Group, B
&
Rolinda Huizing,
Gasunie Engineering & Technology, NL

2. Main political drivers towards H2 economy Improved security of supply
Reduced CO2-emission (Kyoto, >8% reduction by 2010)
Improved air quality
Prepared by O. Florisson Gasunie

3. TRANSITION TO H2 ECONOMY
The transition to the hydrogen economy will be lengthy, costly and will require significant R&D
PRACTICAL STRATEGY
Prepared by O. Florisson Gasunie

4. Natural gas system could promote transition by:
Offering smooth transition by initially conveying a hydrogen/natural gas mixture
Advancing use of H2 in shorter time-frame by extracting hydrogen from the mixture
Lowering costs by using the existing system
Providing opportunity to carry H2 to dispersed users through widespread natural gas system
Prepared by O. Florisson Gasunie

5. The NATURALHY approach
Natural gas
Full H2 -
area
Prepared by O. Florisson Gasunie

6. Presence of hydrogen may affect:
Impact of adding H2 to Natural Gas System
Presence of hydrogen may affect:
Safety of transmission, distribution, and end-use
Pipeline durability and integrity
Gas appliance performance
Hence….The NaturalHy Project
Prepared by O. Florisson Gasunie

7. NATURALHY Project Objective
Preparing for the hydrogen economy by defining the conditions under which the existing natural gas system can be used for mixtures of hydrogen and natural gas, and where hydrogen can be separated from the mixture downstream by membranes.
Prepared by O. Florisson Gasunie

8. The NATURALHY-project
39 European partners, including 15 from the gas-business
Integrated Project within FP6
Project budget: 17.3 M€; EC grant: 11 M€
Start 1 May 2004 for 5 years
Prepared by O. Florisson Gasunie

9. Project Partners
Gas companies and gas research institutes financed by gas companies
DBI
DGC
DEPA
GERG
IFP
IGDAS
ISQ
Naturgas Midt-Nord BP
Gaz de France
Gasunie
Shell Hydrogen
Statoil
Total
Transco
Prepared by O. Florisson Gasunie

10. Differences in the pipeline systems;
The involvement of a broad assembly from the European gas industry is important because:
Differences in the pipeline systems;
Differences in the composition of the gases;
Gas companies are very careful with changes (some call it “conservative”);
To obtain the support of all stakeholders.
Prepared by O. Florisson Gasunie

11. Project Partners (Cont’d)
Universities and Institutes
Technical University Berlin
National Technical University of Athens
Leeds University
Loughborough University
Högskolan i Borås
TUBITAK
University of Warwick
Ecole Nationale d’ingenieur de Metz
Norwegian University of Science and Technology
NEN
COGEN
ECN
HSE
TNO
CEA
PLANET
Manufacturers and Consultants
CSM
CMI
TOG
GE/PII
CETH
SAVIKO
Exergia
SQS
Prepared by O. Florisson Gasunie

12. Project Structure Divided into six technical work packages Excluding:
Hydrogen production
Hydrogen utilisation
Key focus on:
Socio-economic and life cycle analysis
Durability and Integrity of pipelines
Impact on overall safety
Effect on existing gas appliances
Membranes for selective withdrawal of hydrogen
Decision tool to aid assessment of system suitability
Dissemination of results
Strategic Advisory Committee
Prepared by O. Florisson Gasunie

13. Natural gas production
Safety
Performance
Integrity
Standards and norms
Full H2 -
area
H2-production
Natural gas production
Socio-economic & LCA
Dissemination (in cooperation with HYSAFE)
H2-Membranes
Durability
Collaboration with HYWAYS (roadmap development)
Prepared by O. Florisson Gasunie

14. Pipeline System Durability
Focus on Safety
Safety of Appliances
Flame instability?
Pipeline System Durability
Hydrogen induced cracks?
Will smaller defects lead to failure?
Are plastic pipes permeable for hydrogen?
Are meter seals permeable?
Pipeline Integrity
Will smaller defects be significant?
Can defects be detected and repaired?

15. Focus on Safety Safety of the Public
Increase in leakage due to hydrogen?
Increased likelihood of accidental release due to detrimental effect of hydrogen on materials?
Increased likelihood of ignition?
Increased severity of consequences (eg explosions) due to reactivity of hydrogen?
Prepared by O. Florisson Gasunie

16. Durability of Pipelines
Laboratory tests to assess effect of H2 on fracture toughness and fatigue crack growth
Investigation of the effect of H2 on the evolution of defects
Full scale fatigue and burst tests with defined defects
Numerical modelling of rapid crack propagation
Laboratory tests on polymer permeability and ageing
Tests to assess effect of hydrogen on meter components

17. Integrity of Pipelines
Assess minimum critical defect size by predicting the crack growth behaviour in presence of hydrogen
Assess current inspection techniques for detecting minimum defect size and improve the techniques
Assess current repair techniques for use in presence of hydrogen and improve as required
Develop integrity management tool for specifying pipeline inspection and maintenance plans

18. Example of the outcome of an assessment by the Decision Support Tool
Considered H2
CPH-turbine, max 15% H2
Piece of pipe (durability), max 6%
8 bar
Pipeline (safety zone), max 10% H2
Natural Gas
40 bar
8 bar
Burner, max 12% H2
In-house infrastructure, max 18% H2
Prepared by O. Florisson Gasunie

19. Summary
The NaturalHy Project aims to encourage and facilitate a transition to the hydrogen economy on a shorter timeframe by providing a transitional period based on using the existing gas infra-structure to convey a natural gas/hydrogen mixture
Prepared by O. Florisson Gasunie

20. Summary
The project will assess the feasibility of using the system for NG/H2 mixtures, establish the limits of operation and methods for extracting hydrogen
A strong emphasis is placed on the continued integrity of the pipeline system and the safety of the public
Prepared by O. Florisson Gasunie

21. List of external members of the SAC
Safety: Health Safety Executive, HYSAFE
Energy/natural gas: IGU, IEA, Ruhrgas, ENItecnology, DVGW, IAHE, NaturCorp, NUON, IAHE
Policymaking: HYWAYS, EU-Commission, NL Min. of Economics,Wuppertal Institute, EU- Parliament, US DOE
Regulations: CEN
Environment: WWF, Bellona
End use: ENGVA
Prepared by O. Florisson Gasunie

22. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
ROLINDA HUIZING
Gasunie Engineering & Technology