Hydrogen Blending in Gas Pipelines Reduces Emissions but Doubles Leakage, Argonne National Laboratory Study Reveals.

Hydrogen blending in gas pipelines is facing limits due to the tendency to increase pipeline leakage, according to research by the Argonne National Laboratory (Argonne). The study found that blending 30% hydrogen by volume into gas pipelines can result in a 6% decrease in lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions. The study also found that hydrogen blending at that level can double leakage from transmission lines. The findings were highlighted during a webinar by the US Energy Department’s HyBlend initiative, which aims to remove barriers to transporting hydrogen in gas pipes. Blending hydrogen will require pipeline operators to replace or modify parts of their systems to address mismatches between maximum allowable operating pressure (MAOP) in pipe segments carrying gas and hydrogen.