Hydrogen distribution system

Valves, the use of which may be necessary for the safe operation of a hydrogen distribution system, shall be checked and serviced, including lubrication where necessary, at sufficiently frequent intervals to assure their satisfactory operation. Examination shall include checking of alignment to permit use of a key or wrench and clearing from the valve box or vault any debris that would interfere with or delay the operation of the valve. Valves in hydrogen service shall be checked and serviced at least annually. 

Each operating company having a hydrogen distribution system shall set up, in its operating and maintenance plan, a provision for the making of periodic leakage surveys on the system. 

Alves, J., Analysis and Design of Refinery Hydrogen Distribution Systems, PhD Thesis, UMIST (1999). 

Alves JJ, Towler GP. Analysis of refinery hydrogen distribution systems. Ind Eng Chem Res... 

If fuel cell technology were introduced on a large scale for automotive transportation, would you prefer a fuel distribution system in which gasoline fuel remains the major energy carrier but is reformed on-board to hydrogen or one in which hydrogen is provided at fuel stations Explain your choice. 

Every distribution system supplied by more than one district pressure-regulating station shall be equipped with devices that record the hydrogen pressure in the district. 

PL-3.13.3 Control and Limiting of Hydrogen Gas Pressure in High-Pressure Steel Distribution Systems... 

PL-3.13.5 Control and Limiting of the Pressure of Hydrogen Gas Delivered From High-Pressure Distribution Systems... 

A study by Argonne National Laboratory estimates infrastructure costs for fueling about 40% of the vehicles on the road with hydrogen could be close to 600 billion. Building an initial production capacity in the United States could cost 10 billion by 2015 and 230 to 400 billion by 2030. Building the distribution system could add 175 billion by 2030. 

Power systems that run on compressed gases such as propane, methane, or hydrogen are problematical. Range may be limited since distribution systems are not in place and each station pump could cost 30,000. So-called synthetic fuels could be used directly in engines or to generate electricity from fuel cells for electric motors. Other combustion engines such as the sterling motor may also become options. 

Castello, P., Tzimas, E., Moretto, P. and Peteves, S. D. (2005). Techno-Economic Assessment of Hydrogen Transmission Distribution Systems in Europe in the Medium and Long Term. Joint Research Centre (JRC), Report EUR 21586 EN. Petten, The Netherlands The Institute for Energy. 

Several computer-based techniques have been developed for more specific applications. Truesdell (45) describes a computer program for calculating equilibrium distributions in natural water systems, given concentrations and pH. Edwards, et al. (31, Z2) have developed computer programs for treating volatile weak electrolytes such as ammonia, carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide systems however, in their present state these programs (presumably) do not accommodate metallic species in solutions. 

---