Advancing Hydrogen Leak Detection and Quantification Technologies Compatible with Hydrogen Blends

Overview

Fast Facts
Project No.	979
Contract No.	693JK32210004POTA
Research Award Recipient	Gas Technology Institute dba GTI Energy 1700 South Mount Prospect Road Des Plaines, IL 60018-1804
AOR/TTI	Robert Smith Mary McDaniel Andrea Ceartin Michael Mulligan
Researcher Contact Info	Dr. Chris Moore, 847-768-0688, cmoore@gti.energy Russell, Jared Project Manager II jrussell@gti.energy 1 847.768.0577

Financial and Status Data
Project Status	Active
Start Fiscal Year	2022 (09/30/2022)
End Fiscal Year	2025 (09/22/2025)
PHMSA $$ Budgeted	$749,446.00

Main Objective

The project will investigate the: 1) impact of hydrogen injection on leakage dynamics, and 2) effect of hydrogen on existing leak detection equipment. The resulting analysis will inform new approaches for hydrogen sensing and integration into next-generation leak detection equipment.

Public Abstract

The purpose of this project is to advance leak detection as hydrogen is introduced into natural gas infrastructure. To accomplish this, the project team consisting of Gas Technology Institute (GTI) and SENSIT Technologies (SENSIT) will 1) evaluate leak detection equipment currently being used by natural gas pipeline operators, 2) provide guidance on new/altered usage protocols, 3) map out any threshold of hydrogen blending above which these devices become not effective, 4) quantitatively map out the impact of varying amounts of hydrogen on the calibration and analytics of currently used leak detection equipment, and 5) where gaps are identified, develop a proof-of-concept hydrogen detection scheme to fill those gaps.

Anticipated Results: The results are new leak detection sensing schemes for hydrogen and natural gas/hydrogen blends. The results will also produce important information on required sensing specifications and detection procedures. This will be from extensive literature review, laboratory testing, and field testing of existing commercially available and newly developed sensing technologies and detection methodologies.

Potential Impact on Safety: The potential for blending hydrogen with natural gas and transporting it through existing natural gas infrastructure is becoming a reality. The findings of this project are crucial for advancing our understanding of hydrogen and natural gas/hydrogen blend leaks, ensuring that any leaks can be detected quickly and efficiently, reducing potential safety impacts caused by undetected leaks, and most importantly minimizing misinterpreted leak detection results causing an underestimation of the size and potential safety hazard of a leak.