Decarbonization of gas transmission pipelines via hydrogen blending: A Techno-Environmental case study approach
| dc.contributor.author | Das, Pronob | |
| dc.contributor.author | Mohtasim, Md. Shahriar | |
| dc.contributor.author | Rowe, Andrew | |
| dc.contributor.author | Wild, Peter | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2026-05-14T19:04:28Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2026-05-14T19:04:28Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2025 | |
| dc.description.abstract | This study presents a novel and validated optimization framework to evaluate the performance and techno-environmental and economic impacts of hydrogen blending in steady-state natural gas transmission pipelines. The model investigates hydrogen injection (0 %, 10 %, 20 % and 100 %) and its influence on key parameters, including flow behavior, compressor fuel consumption, pressure limits, emissions, and energy return on investment (EROI). Using a genetic algorithm (GA) implemented in MATLAB, the framework is applied to both generalized cases and a real commercial system, the Coastal GasLink pipeline in Canada. Hydrogen addition significantly alters system behavior, increasing maximum operating pressure from 6.9 to 8.2 MPa and raising compressor fuel use from 2.98 % (100 % NG) to 21.4 % (100 % H2) over an 800 km pipeline. Validation against multiple benchmark studies shows < 1.5 % deviation, confirming model reliability. The study introduces a cost and emission trade-off analysis using a marginal abatement cost curve to assess compressor station electrification strategies. Full electrification reduces emissions by 1.51 MtCO2/year but increases operating costs. However, under Canadian incentive structures, the cost of abatement decreases substantially, making large-scale emission reduction economically viable. The analysis also highlights a sharp decline in EROI from 33.56 (100 % NG) to 4.67 (100 % H2), underscoring the need for efficiency-focused infrastructure design. A forward-looking hybrid energy system is proposed, integrating renewables, battery storage, and electrolyzers to enable on-site green hydrogen production and electrified compression. This framework supports infrastructure planning aligned with national decarbonization goals for 2030 and beyond. | |
| dc.description.reviewstatus | Reviewed | |
| dc.description.scholarlevel | Faculty | |
| dc.description.sponsorship | This research was funded by the Natural Science and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), Canada. The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support provided by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) through the Alliance Grant program. We also extend our thanks to the Institute for Integrated Energy Systems (IESVic) for their continued support and collaboration. | |
| dc.identifier.citation | Das, P., Mohtasim, Md. S., Rowe, A., & Wild, P. (2026). Decarbonization of gas transmission pipelines via hydrogen blending: A Techno-Environmental case study approach. Energy Conversion and Management, 351, Article 121010. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2025.121010 | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2025.121010 | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://hdl.handle.net/1828/23889 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.publisher | Energy Conversion and Management | |
| dc.rights | Attribution 4.0 International | en |
| dc.rights.uri | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | |
| dc.subject | natural gas pipeline | |
| dc.subject | hydrogen blending | |
| dc.subject | decarbonization | |
| dc.subject | compressor electrification | |
| dc.subject | energy return on investment | |
| dc.subject | Institute for Integrated Energy Systems (IESVic) | |
| dc.subject.department | Department of Mechanical Engineering | |
| dc.title | Decarbonization of gas transmission pipelines via hydrogen blending: A Techno-Environmental case study approach | |
| dc.type | Article |