Hydrogen

Injection of hydrogen into the gas grid on the Island of Ameland

Although city gas containing about 50% hydrogen was distributed in the sixties by a gas factory in many cities, extensive research and development is still needed before hydrogen can be injected in the current gas distribution networks on a large scale. This is needed because since the sixties many new pipeline materials, connections and gas appliances have been introduced. The use of plastic materials and the effect of hydrogen on these materials need special attention.

Innovative Hydrogen Applications
Kiwa Gas Technology has the expertise and competences in house to help answer the questions in the area of hydrogen distribution, injection and application. Earlier research performed by Kiwa Gas Technology has shown that 17% hydrogen can be injected into the Dutch gas distribution network, without affecting the functioning of boilers and kitchen appliances. The pipeline network (up to 8 bar) and the bellows-and-diaphragm gas meters also appear to be suitable for such a mixture. Kiwa Gas Technology designs and builds the solutions for hydrogen applications in their own fully equipped laboratories.

Our expertise in the area of hydrogen comprises:

• Materials Research of components in the gas distribution system. The material experts of Kiwa Gas Technology have gathered extensive expertise and experience over the years to be able to determine the influence of hydrogen (in mixtures with natural gas) on pipeline materials and other gas distribution components. Using a wide range of mechanical and physical-chemical tests, the possible effects of exposing these components to hydrogen-natural gas mixtures are measured. We are extensively involved in a demonstration project on the island of Ameland (in front of the Dutch north coast), where we inject hydrogen into the natural gas grid on assignment from ENECO Energie and GasTerra. The mixed gas is then distributed through a pilot-gas distribution network and subsequently supplied to 14 apartments.
  In this project the pipeline materials, pipe connections, gas regulators and gas meters are exposed to a hydrogen-gas mixture over a period of three years (2007-2010). Subsequently the possible effects of this exposure will be measured in our laboratories. For more information regarding this project, read more > 
• Permeation measurements on pipes and components 
• Network calculations of the transport capacity of hydrogen/natural gas mixtures
• Product development regarding the  application of hydrogen in the automotive industry
• Feasibility studies regarding the injection of hydrogen into the gas grid
• Demonstration projects regarding the injection of hydrogen into the gas grid
• Influence of hydrogen or injected hydrogen on gas appliances (boilers, burners, gas engines, etc.).