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ASME Hydrogen Codes and Standards Development Update
G.M. Eisenberg-Director, Pressure Technology Codes and Standards, ASME


The ASME Approach
ASME’s approach to standards development for hydrogen infrastructure applications recognizes the important role of technically relevant standards in advancing the commercialization of new technology, enhancing consumer confidence, and protecting public health and safety. ASME standards are developed in a collaborative, voluntary consensus environment that can support the development of government regulations consistent with the spirit of the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 (ref: http://standards.gov/standards_gov/nttaa.cfm). Research and development (R&D) projects are underway that strive to bridge the gaps between technology advancement and standards development. ASME’s involvement in R&D projects helps produce results that respond to the needs of voluntary consensus committees in developing technically relevant codes and standards. ASME identifies and prioritizes R&D needs to help focus the use of limited resources in these priority areas. Collaboration in R&D projects helps to minimize individual investment while maximizing benefits.

Under the ASME Board on Pressure Technology Codes and Standards, the following major initiatives are underway:

ASME Standards Development for Hydrogen Tanks
ASME formed a Project Team on Hydrogen Tanks under the Boiler and Pressure Vessel (BPV) Standards Committee. The Project Team is developing new rules for metallic and composite construction for hydrogen tanks operating at pressures up to 15,000 psig (105 MPa). The project team meets concurrent with the quarterly meetings of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Committee, and last met in Boston, MA on February 6, 2008.

The project team’s strategy includes development of Code Cases for hydrogen-specific applications written in conjunction with current rules published in the ASME BPV Code, rather than development of a completely new code for hydrogen pressure vessels. Code Cases are being written to provide alternatives to existing rules in a BPV Code section that allow for expedited approval and publication of the technology and thus, allow for early implementation. The primary BPV Code rules being addressed by the project team are Section VIII, Division 3 (Alternative Rules for Construction of High Pressure Vessels) and Section X (Fiber-Reinforced Plastic Pressure Vessels).

To date, the following actions have been completed:

  • Article KD-10 - Special requirements for fracture resistance of all-steel vessels in Section VIII Division 3
  • Code Case 2579 - Hoop-wrapped Composite Reinforced Pressure Vessels with Welded Liners for Gaseous H2 Service; Section VIII Division 3
  • Code Case 2569 - SA-372 Steel Construction for Use in High-pressure Hydrogen Applications; Section VIII Division 3
  • Code Case 2563 – Aluminum Alloy 6061 construction for Use in High-pressure Hydrogen Applications; Section VIII Division 3

Items underway include:

  • Code Case for Fully Wrapped Fiber Reinforced Composite Pressure Vessels with Non-Load Sharing Liners for Gaseous H2 Service for Section X application as a new Class 3 up to 15,000 psi
  • Guidelines for in-service inspection of composite hydrogen vessels

ASME B31.12 - Hydrogen Piping and Pipelines
The B31.12 Section Committee was formed under the B31 Standards Committee to develop a new B31 Code for hydrogen piping and pipelines that contains requirements specific to hydrogen service in power, process, transportation, distribution, commercial and residential applications. The B31.12 code committee is developing technical requirements that are specific to hydrogen pipeline and piping systems and will reference ASME B31.3 (Process Piping) and ASME B31.8 (Gas Transmission and Distribution Piping Systems), and ASME B31.8S (Managing System Integrity of Gas Pipelines) where the requirements are appropriate.

The first edition of the B31.12 Hydrogen Piping and Pipeline Code will contain:

  • Part GR-General Requirements including common requirements that all other parts will reference
  • Part IP addressing industrial piping such as that found in hydrogen plants and filling stations
  • Part PL covers hydrogen pipelines and distribution systems including design, installation, integrity management, maintenance and conversion of existing pipeline systems to hydrogen service. This Part contains a section on conversion of existing natural gas or petroleum pipelines to hydrogen service

Material performance factors have been developed to account for the adverse effects of hydrogen gas on the mechanical properties of carbon and low alloy steels. These factors appear in the design sections of both IP and PL and their tables are shown in Appendix IX. Appendix IX also includes tables of design allowable stresses for materials. Note that many materials included in B31.3 have been omitted from B31.12 tables due to their unsuitability for hydrogen service.

A future initiative following issuance of the first edition will address the development of Part CRP covering commercial and residential applications.

A proposed new Part CR covering commercial and residential piping is under development and is expected to be included in a future edition of the Code. Individual chapter balloting is in progress with anticipated publication in 4th quarter of 2008.

Supporting Research Activities
A key part of the ASME approach to hydrogen standards development includes the R&D necessary to support the technical basis of new rules and help expedite standards development activities. The ASME Standards Technology, LLC (ASME ST-LLC) has been engaged to manage ASME codes and standards R&D projects and publish the results as Standards Technology Publications (STPs).

The following Hydrogen Technical Reports have been published or are in progress:

  • Hydrogen Standardization Interim Report (STP/PT-003, published in 2005)
  • Design Factor Guidelines for High-pressure Hydrogen Tanks (STP/PT-005, published in 2006)
  • Design Factor Guidelines for Hydrogen Piping and Pipelines (STP-PT-006, expected February 2008)
  • Properties for Composite Materials in Hydrogen Service (expected in 2008)
  • Data Supporting Composite Tank Design Factors (expected 2008)

Additional Background Information
ASME has over 125 years of experience in promoting the art, science, and practice of mechanical engineering and allied sciences. Throughout its history ASME has established strong collaborative relationships with academia, industry and government and helped promote commercialization of new technology areas, such as the hydrogen infrastructure. ASME brings with it a proud heritage of integrity, engineering excellence, international prestige, and a strong commitment to technology. ASME’s membership, technical divisions, and voluntary standards development committees contain a diverse group of technical experts from around the world serving many stakeholders.

ASME’s Codes and Standards (C&S) develops, maintains, and updates voluntary consensus standards and conformity assessment programs. ASME maintains approximately over 500 standards with 50 consensus committees and 700 total committees formed from over 3,800 volunteer subject matter experts from industry and government. Also, ASME maintains 12 conformity assessment programs and certifies manufacturers of equipment. Technical areas addressed by ASME C&S include pressure technology, safety, commercial nuclear power, performance testing, and standardization. ASME standards are accepted for use in over 100 countries. ASME’s voluntary consensus process includes elements of openness, transparency, balance of interests, consensus, and due process consistent with the principles of international standards development established by the World Trade Organization’s Technical Barriers to Trade Committee. ASME procedures are accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).

Established in 1880, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) is a not-for-profit professional organization promoting the art, science and practice of mechanical and multidisciplinary engineering and allied sciences. ASME develops codes and standards that enhance public safety, and provides lifelong learning and technical exchange opportunities benefiting the engineering and technology community. ASME’s 100,000 individual members are organized internationally into geographic and student membership sections. ASME conducts one of the world's largest technical publishing operations, holds numerous technical conferences worldwide, and offers hundreds of professional development courses each year. ASME publishes and accredits users of internationally recognized industrial and manufacturing codes and standards that enhance public welfare and safety. Visit www.asme.org for more information.

ASME Standards Technology, LLC (ASME ST-LLC) is a not-for-profit Limited Liability Company, with ASME as the sole member, formed in 2004 to carry out work related to newly commercialized technology. The ASME ST-LLC mission includes meeting the needs of industry and government by providing new standards-related products and services, that advance the application of emerging and newly commercialized science and technology and providing the research and technology development needed to establish and maintain the technical relevance of codes and standards. Visit www.stllc.asme.org for more information.

About the Author
Mr. Eisenberg is a graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in King’s Point, NY and has served on the ASME Codes and Standards staff for the past 35 years. He is presently ASME’s Director of Pressure Technology Codes and Standards. He works at ASME Headquarters in New York City and can be reached at eisenbergg@asme.org.