Integrated Design and Operation Optimization of Hydrogen Commingled with Natural Gas in Pipeline Networks

Abstract

The maximum concentration of hydrogen that can be commingled with or blended in natural gas has been a topic of discussion for many years. The reasons for blending hydrogen with natural gas are mainly twofold: to improve the renewable content of natural gas and to utilize the existing natural gas pipeline infrastructure for hydrogen distribution. This paper aims at addressing these issues by proposing an optimization model that considers blending hydrogen generated through a “power-to-gas” (PtG) technology pathway with natural gas. This paper develops a deterministic mixed-integer nonlinear programming network pressure-flowrate optimization model that captures the interaction between natural gas pipeline systems and the impact of hydrogen injections across multiple pipeline connections in the natural gas grid. A stochastic model is subsequently developed. The optimal quality/concentration of hydrogen in the natural gas pipelines and the optimal location of PtG units are realized while minimizing system-wide capital and operating costs. The design decisions obtained for the deterministic model differ from the stochastic model; the design decisions for the stochastic model varies across the different uncertainty realizations.

Should we inject hydrogen into gas grids? Practicalities and whole-system value chain optimisation

“…However these studies have no representation of the interface with electricity and no consideration of the economics of hydrogen injection. Ogbe et al [28] optimised natural gas pipelines with injection of hydrogen from power-to-gas, but also focussed on the details of pipeline flow rather than impacts on the wider energy system. Finally, some studies have modelled the effect of hydrogen injection on the wider energy system but these studies tend to over-simplify the process, for example lacking any spatial representation of gas grids (e.g.…”

Mixed Matrix Membranes Based on MFI Zeolite Nanosheets with Tunable Thickness for CO2/CH4 and H2/CH4 Separation

“…The current H 2 mainly comes from NG steam reforming . Furthermore, adding H 2 into CH 4 transportation pipes (and separating them on the destination site) is an effective way for H 2 transportation . Therefore, economical and efficient CO 2 /CH 4 and H 2 /CH 4 separation technology is of great importance for the CH 4 industry.…”

The potential of the natural gas grid to accommodate hydrogen as an energy vector in transition towards a fully renewable energy system

“…Another major research topic is about the modelling of the gas grid to simulate its operation with different percentages in volume of hydrogen, and to optimize its interaction with other systems such as the electric grid. Many models are utilized to simulate the grid as an isolated system, to explore the capabilities of the grid to work with various blends of methane/hydrogen [42][43][44][45] and identify the feasibility limits to the injection of hydrogen into the grid [46][47][48][49][50]. It should be noted that the power-to-gas systems act as a bridge between gas and electric grids [51,52], which have a mutual dependency.…”