Hydrogen pipelines face unique integrity challenges due to hydrogen’s reactive properties and its ability to degrade pipeline materials over time.

Hydrogen pipelines face unique integrity challenges due to hydrogen’s reactive properties and its ability to degrade pipeline materials over time. Understanding common hydrogen pipeline failure modes is critical for safe hydrogen transport infrastructure — a growing priority in the global energy transition.

Key failure mechanisms include:
• Hydrogen embrittlement — hydrogen atoms penetrate steel microstructure, reducing ductility and causing brittle fracture.
• Hydrogen-induced cracking (HIC) — internal blistering and cracking from hydrogen diffusion into pipeline walls.
• Corrosion — both internal and external, accelerated by hydrogen’s interaction with pipeline materials.
• Weld defects — improper welds are particularly vulnerable to hydrogen-assisted cracking.
• Fatigue — pressure cycling in hydrogen service accelerates fatigue crack growth.
• Mechanical damage — third-party interference causing dents, gouges, or coating loss.

Hydrogen-ready pipeline assessment requires specialized inspection to detect early-stage material degradation. EMPIT’s CMI technology supports hydrogen pipeline integrity by providing non-invasive corrosion detection, coating condition assessment, and stress analysis — essential for both new hydrogen networks and existing pipelines being repurposed for hydrogen transport.