Codes and standards for the fatigue-based design of hydrogen infrastructure components

Abstract

A successful transition to a hydrogen economy and infrastructure requires robust engineering design codes. For the assessment of existing pipelines to be re-qualified from natural gas to hydrogen transport, the fracture mechanics design approach of the ASME B31.12 (2019) is often adapted to other national and regional standards. Several options to reduce the conservatism of the current version of the ASME B31.12 code are proposed. For the new design of storage tanks and other components, a fatigue-based approach should also be considered for the assessment of the influence of gaseous hydrogen. The German AD 2000 code proposes a methodology based on a fatigue life approach. Also here, options to reduce the conservatism of the current version are proposed. In addition, the German FKM guidelines provide a framework for additional design options. Both are subject to current developments. All relevant material test methods to measure mechanical properties of structural alloys in high pressure gaseous hydrogen are specified in ANSI/CSA CHMC 1. However, it is proposed to harmonize the detailed test conditions with other existing test standards, e.g. ASTM G142 or ISO 11114-4.