There is uncertainty as to the operational function of the valve actuator systems when exposed to pressurised hydrogen environments as part of NTS re-purposing.
To investigate this risk, it is proposed to approach each of the actuator suppliers to understand what analysis (if any) they have carried out to understand the impacts of hydrogen on their product range. Source candidate actuators for testing. Review the various technical and safety challenges to enable valve actuators to be hydrogen ready on the NTS and identify process / ancillary equipment changes.
The output from the initial work, will inform the definition of a test programme, that will be actuator OEM type specific, to measure torque values in methane and in hydrogen at various blends upto 100% hydrogen.
Benefits
Will bridge the knowledge gap and set out the testing regime needed to further understand the safety impacts of actuator operation in hydrogen.
Will capture information on potential safety and technical risks of actuators on the NTS for hydrogen transmission conditions.
Will determine test programmes to validate performance of these actuators in conditions representative of hydrogen transmission.
Will contribute to enabling the repurposing of existing asset which will represent the lowest cost solution to the end-user.
Will contribute to greenhouse gas emission reductions.
Will support the ongoing NIA/SIF Projects:
- Impact of Hydrogen on NTS Polymer / Elastomer Materials Project – Phase 1
- Impact of Hydrogen on NTS oil, lubricants and greases project
- HyNTS Compression as part of FutureGrid
Learnings
Outcomes
Work Package 1 – OEM review of hydrogen ready valve actuators and determining current NTS valve actuators
A list of actuator types on the NTS, with support from National Gas Transmission was generated from the available data sources. This included, approaching all of the actuator OEMs to determine if they have already tested any of their old product range in Hydrogen.
Work Package 2 – Sourcing of valve actuators to support testing
An actuator (BIFFI - Gas/Hydraulic) was sourced, as part of planned decommissioning works and in storage to support the project.
Work Package 3 – Actuator testing on a complete valve assembly
The project was subject to a Change Control in March-24, which affected Work Package 3 and modified the time, scope and cost. Where, the revised scope removed the need to conduct the bench test on a torque rig and test an actuator already fitted to a valve. This included a pressure and function test with 5% Hydrogen and monitoring of leakage, then shipping the assembly for a pressure and function test with 100% Hydrogen and monitoring of the performance (stroke time) and leakage (pressure drop).
Work Package 4 – Commercial and Technical feasibility
Undertook a review of market intelligence with the actuator OEMs to determine if they have Hydrogen ready assets.
This work package also reviewed the cost delta and consider the market and commercial aspects of transitioning to hydrogen ready valve actuators, considering the business case for repurposing vs new assets.
Work Package 5 – Standards and Reporting
Two technical reports were produced during the project:
o A Pre-WP3 Preliminary Report – ENG-SC15-ZU-3994
o Final Technical report – ENG-SC15-ZU-4016
The project value tracking is listed below:
· Maturity
o TRL 2-4. Initial desktop research, with support from the actuator Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM’s), which led to bench scale research and testing.
· Innovation Opportunity
o 100% of a single asset class. All gas-powered actuators.
· Deployment Costs
o £0.00. No direct deployment costs as this is a research project. However, costs might need to be incurred to ensure hydrogen readiness of assets.
· Innovation Cost
o £ 261,288. Cost of innovation project.
· Financial Saving
o £ 0.00. No direct financial savings as this is a research project.
· Safety
o 0%. No direct safety improvement as this is a research project.
· Environment
o 0.0 tonnes CO2e. No direct environmental benefits as this is a research project.
· Compliance
o Supports compliance. Work supports transition to hydrogen.
· Skills & Competencies
o Individuals. Work will support transition to Hydrogen through any updates to operational procedures.
· Future Proof
o Supports business strategy. Work could eventually inform hydrogen repurposing and future new build strategies (e.g. procurement requirements).
Lessons Learnt
The project captured information on potential susceptibility of actuators on the NTS to hydrogen transmission conditions. Where appropriate, test programmes were developed to support and validate performance of these actuators in conditions representative of hydrogen transmission. These results might be informative to other gas transmission networks globally, as well as domestic and international GDNs.
