Workplan
The entire project will be coordinated from the beginning until the end date in order to ensure accurate management and timely achievement of the set objectives. Its progress will be continuously shared in the project’s website and social media channels.
Preliminary phase
Preliminary phase of the project will be purely technical: it will be necessary to define the technical requirements of the string used to inject and withdraw H2 in geological underground formations considering the worst scenario with the most demanding conditions regarding corrosion risk and mechanical requirements.
Design phase
Then, a design phase of the new advanced string for the underground storage of H2 will follow: The string development will be performed with the support of simulation programs regarding microstructure and micromechanics, FEA modelling and analysis, with the aim of making it effective in every potential risk situation.
Lab phase
The integrity of the new design will subsequently be analysed on a laboratory scale: Several ad hoc tests will be developed to study the production string’s stainless steel embrittlement resistance caused by hydrogen and the stability of the lubricant in such environment.
Validation
The validation of the design will advance along with the evaluation of the string connection in an upgrade-scale frame: Analysis of the galling resistance and the seal ability of the connection in H2 environments. This procedure will be implemented in order to obtain an adequate design that can provide the corrosion and hydrogen embrittlement resistance with the necessary mechanical properties and integrity of the connection for use in service conditions.
Results
The results of this study will be collected in a guideline document which will detail the test protocol for verifying threaded connections in the presence of H2 gas for future projects.
