Conversion of a natural gas pipeline to hydrogen transport and the effects of impurities on the hydrogen quality
This paper will focus on the behaviour of contaminants found in the mentioned natural gas pipeline during the pipeline’s transition from natural gas to hydrogen and their effect on the hydrogen quality.
DNV supported N.V. Nederlandse Gasunie with the conversion of an existing natural gas pipeline to hydrogen transport in the Netherlands. This 12 km long 16-inch pipeline has been in operation for hydrogen transport since 2018. This paper will focus on the behaviour of contaminants found in the mentioned natural gas pipeline during the pipeline’s transition from natural gas to hydrogen and their effect on the hydrogen quality. How the diverse contaminants are measured will also be part of this paper.
The contaminations found in natural gas pipelines are very diverse. A distinction is made between solids, liquids, and volatile/gaseous components. To avoid or limit the effect of natural gas impurities on the hydrogen transported through the repurposed pipeline, specific consideration will be given how the pipeline can be cleaned. An overview will be given on the steps that were undertaken to clean the pipeline before the actual transition took place. The effect of these measures is shown by presenting the concentration of various contaminants during and after the pipeline conversion from natural gas to hydrogen.