We are considering using SS tubing for high pressure Hydrogen underground. Will corrosion protection be needed?
Does anyone have experience with this application?
Thanks,
TRW
I would advise that CP be added. I have seen a number of cases where CP was not added and the pipe quickly became swiss cheese at costs of many millions to rectify.
While I guess the issue of external corrosion needs to be considered, the OP wants to first know if 304 is affected by high pressure hydrogen, assuming its dry and at room temperature, I don't think it is embrittled which is the only corrosion issue.
there are a lot of buried water lines in Japan that are 316. None are 304.
Internal is no issue, even if there is water.
External could be a nightmare, considering the risk if there is a leak.
Over 30 years ago, miles of 304 SS pipe to be placed in high pressure hydrogen service was installed at a US Gov facility without protection. It was swiss cheese in less than a year at taxpayer expense of nearly 30 million dollars for replacement - almost sounds like real money!
In the late 1950's, the US Gov published its findings regarding the use of 304 SS and 316 SS in underground service without Cathodic Protection. Type 304 was ruled out for such use but type 316 was not (pitting corrosion occurred in only one soil type tested). As a result of that publication, the Utility for which I worked initiated a pilot program to install 316 risers to the gas meters at private homes. In certain soils where Colorado River water was used for irrigation and a suitable crevice was formed, pitting corrosion resuted in leakage. The estimated cost to replace was 5 million USD in 1979.