Experimental Investigation on Flow Characteristics of Hydrogen in Pipelines

The design of high pressure pipeline is one of key technical problems facing the realization of hydrogen refueling stations and fuel cell automobiles. Currently, hydrogen velocity restrictions in pipeline are considered in reference to natural gas, which leads to some difficulties in design of pipelines for hydrogen supply systems. Considering the different characteristics of hydrogen, this paper establishes an analytical model and carries out a series of experimental tests to investigate the flow characteristics of hydrogen in pipelines. The effects of the pressure in the pipeline on the hydrogen flow velocity and mass flow are studied, and the corresponding relationships are also obtained. The results may provide references for the design of hydrogen pipelines and the development of standards in hydrogen refueling stations and hydrogen supply systems.Copyright © 2009 by ASME