Patented pipe technology for H2 distribution
Earlier this year, this company was awarded a patent for its Pipe-Within-A-Pipe technology (photo) for safely and efficiently transporting hydrogen up to 1,000 miles inside virtually any existing oil and gas pipeline, water pipe, sewer line, storm drain or other pipelines. This technology is said to provide the safest, most cost-effective, most readily deployable, and scalable way to address end-user delivery of fuel-cell-grade H2. The approach covered by the patent utilizes flexible pipe rated for H2 use by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) with a 50-year useful life at 2,500 psi. That pipe is located inside a slightly larger diameter one — referred to as a “safety pipe” — that runs an inert gas in between the two pipes to constantly sweep for hydrogen molecules. With a capacity to preserve purity levels of 99.7% or higher, the new technology will help to ensure the required purity levels needed for use of hydrogen in fuel-cell electric cars, buses, trucks and locomotives. — H2 Clipper, Inc., Santa Barbara, Calif.