Pipeline material selection for hydrogen refueling stations
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According to clause 6.5.1 of GB 50516 – 2010 \"Technical Specifications for Hydrogen Refueling Stations (2021 edition)\\", the material for hydrogen pipelines should preferably be S31603, with a nickel content of over 12%. However, in GB/T 14976-2012 \"Seamless Stainless Steel Tubes for Fluid Conveyance\" and GB/T 40297-2021 \"Austenitic Stainless Steel Seamless Tubes for High-Pressure Hydrogenation Units\", the nickel content in S31603 is between 10% and 14%, which does not meet the requirements specified in GB 50516. So, what material should be used for the hydrogen pipelines in hydrogen refueling stations? Do you need customization?
Regarding the hydrogen pipelines in hydrogen refueling stations, GB 50516 requires a nickel content of over 12%, whereas the nickel content in the S31603 material specified by existing standards is between 10% and 14%; this indicates that some standard products do not meet these requirements. In this case, it is recommended to adopt a non-standard customized approach by selecting S31603 material with a nickel content of over 12% as specified in GB 50516, to ensure the safety and reliability of the pipeline material. You can contact professional stainless steel pipe manufacturers for custom production. .
Normal handheld spectrometers have errors, so fittings with a 14% nickel content should be custom-made.
The alloy content of steel pipes in the market is generally close to the lower limit of the standards; it is likely that no qualified steel pipes with a nickel content of 14% can be found on the market.
Objectively speaking, not all manufacturers of hydrogen equipment currently adhere to a 12% rate. Moreover, even if they exist, they are custom-made, very expensive, and have a long lead time. Also, users may not actually go ahead to test for nickel content.
GB 40297 is a standard specifically formulated for stainless steel pipes used in high-pressure hydrogenation units; yet it fails to meet the requirements for such pipes in hydrogenation stations. What use is there for such a standard?
It’s better to have large companies handle the customization, as that ensures quality
It’s indeed quite contradictory; perhaps he didn’t think things through carefully and only looked at the stainless steel grade, on which it says 12% nickel；
Understanding the explanatory notes for clause 6.5.1 of GB 50516 - 2010 \"Technical Specifications for Hydrogen Refueling Stations (2021 edition)\": 1. Currently, there is no standard specifically tailored for hydrogen pipelines in hydrogen refueling stations； 2. The 12% nickel requirement is specified due to \"hydrogen embrittlement\"” ； For the material selection of hydrogen pipelines in hydrogen refueling stations, GBT 29729-2022 Basic Requirements for the Safety of Hydrogen Systems can be used as a reference.