LIBERTY Pipes Hartlepool has become the first UK producer of pipelines for the safe transportation and storage of hydrogen after successfully passing trials.
The 42-inch submerged arc welded (SAW) line pipe produced by LIBERTY meets the international requirements for hydrogen piping and pipelines set by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers in the ASME B31.12 (2019) standard. This confirmation comes from Element Materials Technology, a physical testing specialist.
The demand for SAW line pipes is increasing rapidly due to the expected need for significant quantities of new pipelines in the UK over the next two decades. This is part of the country’s transition to net-zero emissions. The UK Hydrogen Strategy, announced in 2021, aims for 10GW of low carbon hydrogen production capacity by 2030. The goal is to reduce emissions in UK industrial sectors and provide flexible energy for power, heat, and transport.
Last month, LIBERTY Steel in Australia announced plans to install a Direct Reduction Plant (DRP) at its Whyalla steelmaking operations to produce low carbon iron. LIBERTY Pipes Hartlepool has also developed line pipe steel capable of supporting the emerging market in CO2 gas gathering, transmission, and sequestration.
According to Martin Connelly, Technical Director for LIBERTY Pipes Hartlepool, LIBERTY is the first steel pipe producer in the UK and one of only a few globally to confirm it can meet hydrogen standards. He sees a huge demand in this market, and believes it places them in a strong position for upcoming tenders for several hydrogen service projects.
Martyn Curnow, Commercial Director for LIBERTY Pipes Hartlepool, further added that the UK has a window of opportunity to become a global leader in low carbon hydrogen production, and LIBERTY Pipes Hartlepool is keen to support this strategy.
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