Specific features of the analysis of the technical state of main gas pipelines for hydrogen transportation

Keywords

steel, pipeline, mechanical properties, crcak growth resistance, degradation, hydrogen, hydrogen embrittlement, displacement rate, semi-elliptical crack, serviceability.

Cite as

Zvirko О. І., Venhryniuk О. І., Demianchuk D. О., Tsyrulnyk О. Т., and Dubyk Ya. R. Specific features of the analysis of the technical state of main gas pipelines for hydrogen transportation. Physicochemical Mechanics of Materials. 2026. 62(2), 016-022.

https://doi.org/10.15407/pcmm2026.02.016

Abstract

The influence of absorbed hydrogen on the fracture toughness of long-term operated pipe steel of a gas transit pipeline at different displacement rates was analyzed. The criterion for achieving a limit steel state as a result of pipeline operation under hydrogen exposure conditions was substantiated. It is based on the critical value of the fracture toughness of a steel under hydrogen action depending on gas pressure in a pipe and the parameters of possible crack-like defects. The stress intensity factors for semi-elliptical longitudinal and circumferential cracks in a pipe wall with a depth of up to 3 mm at hydrogen pressures of 3.5 and 7.5 MPa do not reach the limit value, which indicates the possibility of safe operation of pipes with such defects not detected by flaw detector. The results obtained can be used to assess the serviceability of steels of gas transit pipelines under hydrogen transportation conditions, as well as to develop criteria for their safe operation, considering the degradation of steels and the influence of hydrogen..

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