Research

This project assesses the decompression behaviour and models for fracture control applied to future fuel mixtures. The control of running ductile fracture in high pressure transmission pipelines is supported by models, experiments and regulatory standards. As the major contributing factor to propagate the fracture, the decompression of the mixture needs to be predicted with high accuracy. The transport of future fuels using pipeline systems raises questions on the applicability of tests carried out to inform on the properties of the line pipe material, that of the mixture, as well as the applicability of prediction methods. This project places particular focus on the decompression characteristics of mixtures relevant to future fuels. The main objective of this projects are:

• Assessing the performance of current equation of states in describing the decompression behaviour of selected blends of future fuels, in particular hydrogen.
• Understanding the decompression similarities and differences between future fuels and traditional fuels as the concentration in alternative fuels is increased in the blend through the complete assessment of the decompression behaviour upstream and downstream of the running fracture tip.
• Evaluating the implication of the use of future fuels in the Australian network, under the assumption that pipe properties are not affected.

The industry benefits from the knowledge of the network limitations relative to the control of a running ductile fracture driven by particular future fuel blends. This knowledge can support the definition of transition tiers based on the properties of the mixtures and dependent on the operating condition (composition, pressure, temperature). Industry’s repurposing activities and new design activities will benefit from accurate predictions of the decompression wave speed. Optimised arrest capacity requirements will derive from the use of the validated models.

Douglas Proud

Research & Utilisation Program Coordinator

douglas.proud@futurefuelscrc.com