A Review of Influence of Hydrogen on Fracture Toughness and Mechanical Properties of Gas Transmission Pipeline Steels

Md Fahdul Wahab Chowdhury; Clotario Tapia; Joshua Hoschke; Jeffrey Venezuela; Andrej Atrens

Abstract

The existing gas transmission pipeline network can be a convenient and cost-effective way to transport hydrogen. However, hydrogen can cause hydrogen embrittlement (HE) of the steels used in pipeline construction. HE is typically manifested as a reduction in fracture toughness and ductility. To ensure structural integrity it is thus important to understand the fracture toughness of pipeline steels in hydrogen gas at pipeline pressures. This paper reviews (i) the influence of hydrogen on the fracture toughness of pipeline steels and (ii) the phenomena that occurs during fracture toughness tests of pipeline steel in air and hydrogen. Also reviewed are (i) the in fluence of hydrogen on tensile properties, and (ii) the diffusion and solubility of hydrogen in pipeline steels under conditions relevant to hydrogen transport in gas transmission pipelines.

Funding source: This research was funded by the Future Fuels Cooperative Research Centre research projects RP3.1-10 “Hydrogen embrittlement of pipeline steels, subcritical crack growth(formation) and critical crack growth (initiation)” and RP3.1-13 “Feasibility of the use of gas phase inhibition of hydrogen embrittlement in gas transmission pipelines carrying hydrogen”, supported through the Australian Government’s Coopera tive Research Centres Program. JV is also supported by the Advance Queensland Industry Research Fellowship (AQIRF114-2019RD2). We gratefully acknowledge the cash and in-kind support from all our research, government and industry participants.

Keywords: Fracture Toughness ; Gas Pipelines/Grids ; Gas Transmission Pipeline ; Hydrogen Embrittlement ; Plastic Fracture ; Stable Crack Growth ; Steel

Related subjects: Transmission, Distribution & Storage

Countries: Australia ; Ecuador