Have Researchers Found the Solution to a Major Hydrogen Transport Problem?

Yesterday I did a fun story about a zero-emission catamaran that employed hydrogen, wind, and solar to sail around the world. The problem of maritime emissions is real. But the feat that the Energy Observer is about to achieve won’t do much to further the cause of hydrogen.

However, what researchers at the University of Sydney are working on may bring hydrogen a step closer to market viability. They believe they may have discovered a solution to one of hydrogen’s major roadblocks: embrittlement, and its effect on steel.

Hydrogen causes steel to become brittle and crack. This makes transporting hydrogen under high pressure a challenge. It’s also why it can only be transported through existing natural gas pipelines as part of a natural gas/hydrogen blend, with the blend being mostly natural gas.

Why does hydrogen have this effect on steel and other metals?

Hydrogen atoms are so small they can permeate metals. When metal absorbs hydrogen, it reduces the stress needed to crack the metal.  Steel is most susceptible, but iron, nickel, titanium and their alloys are also impacted.

What researchers have found is adding the chemical element molybdenum to steel already reinforced with metal carbides improves its ability to contain hydrogen. The combination of elements creates a carbide ceramic. Carbides are often added to steel to enhance strength and durability.

“The future of a large-scale hydrogen economy largely comes down to this issue” said Dr. Chen, one of the team leads.

Their findings have been published in Nature Communication journal.

#hydrogen #hydrogenpower #embrittlement #universiityofsydney