SIDSA

H2P
SIDSA
Green H2 NATURE
AND BEHAVIOUR OF STEEL
IN THE H2 PIPING

and hydrogen gas ENVIRONMENT

Hydrogen is a highly unstable gas that can

installations
be mixed with other gases at various pro-
portions to ease compression and trans-
port. One of the main risks and drawbacks
of the use of hydrogen is the capacity to
self flaring when exposed to a quick pres-
Experience and knowledge have led us to the de- SIDSA,
velopment of a specific H2 program (H2P) focused sure drop. Hydrogen can ignite a non vis-
A COMPANY LARGELY
on the use of hydrogen gas in the different green ible flame to the human eye under sun-
INVOLVED IN THE RECENT
generated H2 facilities. Such facilities will demand light with high combustion energy and
TECHNOLOGICAL low thermal radiation. It requires a very
carbon ferritic, austenitic steel materials and HDPE ADVANCEMENTS
(High Density Polyethylene) in different norms low ignition energy (0,017 mJ) hence the
and manufacturing characteristics. Our goal is to chance to spark a flame under the small-
Since its beginning in 1973 we have been
guide our clients on this way. est leakage poses a real threat. In addition
a team aimed at the daily reality and the
hydrogen is prone to interact with the al-
changing needs of our customers, but al-
Renewable energy sources such as wind and solar loy elements present in carbon steels and
ways with our minds focused on the de-
have increased their share in the energy mix in the austenitic alloys. Amongst the array of dif-
velopment of new energy sources and
last few years. One of the keys for the moderate ferent phenomena caused by the interac-
their impact on the service and neces-
implementation of such energy sources has been tion of hydrogen with its containing struc-
sities related to piping installations. We
the lack of storage for their excesses. The advances ture, we can find as most representative
have developed an expertise and deep
in electrolyzing technology that have come about the following ones:
knowledge on the areas of steel alloys,
in the last years have made possible the use of
steel service, welding and fabrication aid-
hydrogen as an energy vector, that may now be
ing to the erection of complete plants de- HE (Hydrogen Embrittlement)
employed to buffer the wind and solar production
manding the highest standards and latest
surplus. Hence, hydrogen derived from renewable
steel grades with outstanding properties.
energy is a highly promising zero emissions fuel SCC (Stress Corrosion Cracking)
In SIDSA you will also find a human team
for the targeted decarbonising path in the next
fully commited to provide service, techni-
few years.
cal advice from the project early stages HSC (Hydrogen Stress Cracking)
The next pages are a glimpse of the performance aiding you on every step up to the instal-
that SIDSA can offer in the assessment, commer- lation and commissioning. We are a pre-
cial and technical consultancy and final supply of pared team that can face any of the differ- All of them lead to failures of different na-
the most hydrogen demanding piping compo- ent challenges set by the new applications ture in the steel alloys employed, hence
nents under the highest requisites for superior du- and technical requisitions. increasing security costs and risks.
rability and service in green H2 and hydrogen gas
installations.
SIDSA H2P
“New”
energy vector
The SIDSA H2P has been developed to suit the needs of the latest
flourishing projects in connection with the “GREEN HYDROGEN” and
the production, storage, transport and distribution of this “new” EN-
ERGY VECTOR.

SIDSA HELPING YOUR All of which are needed in any energy pro-
COMPANY FIND THE RIGHT ducing plant. Throughout these years we
CHOICE: have selected manufacturers fulfilling the
highest manufacturing and quality stan-
Throughout the years SIDSA has estab- dards. Collaboration with the mills and
lished a long term prosper relationship steel producers goes beyond the commer-
with the main steel makers, pipe manu- cial and logistic arrangements, we work
facturers, forging companies and mills all in close partnership with departments
over the globe. We count on a portfolio of of the mill in order to select the right raw
more than 40 top suppliers. material grades, appropriate manufactur-
ing methods and heat treatments special
Seamless and welded pipes requirements for each project. Our aim is
to offer our customer an “ad hoc” techni-
cal and commercial solution, ideally de-
Fittings and forgings signed, controlled and produced to per-
form with the maximum security levels
Valves and longest maintenance periods, there-
fore reducing cost and increasing profit-
Miscellaneous accessories ability of the piping lines and components.

SIDSA H2P
FOR FERRITIC STEEL GRADES

SIDSA Fully killed steels – with fine grain practice and best metallurgical control. Fully
normalised steels with careful control of chemical residuals.
Desulphurization and highly restrictive control of micro inclusions.

on how Low carbon equivalent values, restricted contents of phosphorus and sulphur.
Micro alloying practices applied: the addition of fractions of key elements improving
the physical properties of the steel while not incurring in the disadvantages of high carbon

to suitably select
content grades that are non-recommended for H2 service.
Pre-selection of heat production lots carefully assorted to favour qualities as high
toughness, with low hardness, rather low yielding strength, (high yield grades are proven

the metallurgical
to be very susceptible to induce Hydrogen embrittlement).

FOR AUSTENITIC STEEL GRADES - (STAINLESS STEELS)

parameters Fully killed steels – with fine grain practice and strict metallurgical controls.

for H2 service
Desulphurization and highly restrictive control of micro inclusions.
Adequate balance in the Schaeffler diagram (Ni equivalent vs Cr equivalent): to ensure
good weldability with sufficient diffusion of delta ferrite component, therefore avoiding
irregular phases in the steel structure that are very sensitive to the effects of embrittlement
from hydrogen.
Selection of the proper chemistry for the austenitic structure of the steel for high stability
over service time, therefore a steel much more resistant to bad ageing in the presence of H2.
As mentioned previously hydrogen is very prone
to interact with the containing internal steel mi- Application of careful heat treating processes, such as high annealing and subcritical
stabilizing, which give the final product outstanding chemical resistance and the best
crostructure producing unwanted effects in most physical properties to make it suitable and durable.
of the cases.

Therefore, based on our experience, we direct- FOR HDPE (HIGH DENSITY POLYETHYLENE)
ly contribute with our technical knowledge and
the development of the current H2 Pipe Program
Three are the main concerns when talking about HDPE and hydrogen:
backed by Internationally recognised organisa-
Permeation rate: due to hydrogen small particle size it was analyzed if hydrogen particles
tions, such as the EIGA (European Industrial Gas could permeate through the solid membrane of the pipe and fittings containing them. It was
Association), and extended Bibliographical Sourc- found that the permeation rate was negligible.
es. Chemical resistance: different tests have been carried out showing no interaction between
hydrogen and HDPE.
The main points of our MATERIAL SELECTION Diffusion: concerns were raised regarding if hydrogen could diffuse through the welds
PROGRAM are: when joining different HDPE elements affecting their repairing capacity. No diffusion or
cavities were found when test samples were studied.
SIDSA H2P
DELEGACIÓN MADRID · SEDE CENTRAL
Calle Valportillo Segunda, 10
28108 Alcobendas. Madrid

DELEGACIÓN PUERTOLLANO
Carretera CR-4117, Km 3
Polígono Industrial El Cabezuelo
13440 Argamasilla de Calatrava. Ciudad Real.

+34 91 661 59 94
[email protected]

www.sidsaindustrial.com