IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jeners/v18y2025i12p3181-d1680946.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Numerical Simulation Study of Gas Stratification in Hydrogen-Enriched Natural Gas Pipelines

Author

Listed:
  • Tianlei Li

    (State Key Laboratory of Oil and Gas Reservoir Geology and Engineering, Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu 610500, China
    School of New Energy and Materials, Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu 610500, China
    Southwest Branch Company, China Petroleum Engineering Construction Corporation, Chengdu 610031, China)

  • Jie Xiao

    (State Key Laboratory of Oil and Gas Reservoir Geology and Engineering, Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu 610500, China)

  • Honglin Zhang

    (State Key Laboratory of Oil and Gas Reservoir Geology and Engineering, Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu 610500, China)

  • Jinliang Cheng

    (State Key Laboratory of Oil and Gas Reservoir Geology and Engineering, Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu 610500, China)

  • Ke Li

    (Southwest Branch Company, China Petroleum Engineering Construction Corporation, Chengdu 610031, China)

  • Yaxi Wang

    (Southwest Branch Company, China Petroleum Engineering Construction Corporation, Chengdu 610031, China)

  • Yuanhua Lin

    (State Key Laboratory of Oil and Gas Reservoir Geology and Engineering, Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu 610500, China)

Abstract

Hydrogen blending in natural gas pipelines facilitates renewable energy integration and cost-effective hydrogen transport. Due to hydrogen’s lower density and higher leakage potential compared to natural gas, understanding hydrogen concentration distribution is critical. This study employs ANSYS Fluent 2022 R1 with a realizable k-ε model to analyze flow dynamics of hydrogen–methane mixtures in horizontal and undulating pipelines. The effects of hydrogen blending ratios, pressure (3–8 MPa), and pipeline geometry were systematically investigated. Results indicate that in horizontal pipelines, hydrogen concentrations stabilize near initial values across pressure variations, with minimal deviation (maximum increase: 1.6%). In undulating pipelines, increased span length of elevated sections reduces maximum hydrogen concentration while maintaining proximity (maximum increase: 0.65%) to initial levels under constant pressure. Monitoring points exhibit concentration fluctuations with changing pipeline parameters, though no persistent stratification occurs. However, increasing the undulating height elevation difference leads to an increase in the maximum hydrogen concentration at the top of the pipeline, rising from 3.74% to 9.98%. The findings provide theoretical insights for safety assessments of hydrogen–natural gas co-transport and practical guidance for pipeline design optimization.

Suggested Citation

  • Tianlei Li & Jie Xiao & Honglin Zhang & Jinliang Cheng & Ke Li & Yaxi Wang & Yuanhua Lin, 2025. "Numerical Simulation Study of Gas Stratification in Hydrogen-Enriched Natural Gas Pipelines," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(12), pages 1-20, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:12:p:3181-:d:1680946
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/12/3181/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/12/3181/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Ogden, Joan & Jaffe, Amy Myers & Scheitrum, Daniel & McDonald, Zane & Miller, Marshall, 2018. "Natural gas as a bridge to hydrogen transportation fuel: Insights from the literature," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 115(C), pages 317-329.
    2. Singh, Sonal & Jain, Shikha & PS, Venkateswaran & Tiwari, Avanish K. & Nouni, Mansa R. & Pandey, Jitendra K. & Goel, Sanket, 2015. "Hydrogen: A sustainable fuel for future of the transport sector," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 623-633.
    3. Gupta, Ruchi & Guibentif, Thomas M.M. & Friedl, Markus & Parra, David & Patel, Martin Kumar, 2023. "Macroeconomic analysis of a new green hydrogen industry using Input-Output analysis: The case of Switzerland," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 183(C).
    4. Deymi-Dashtebayaz, Mahdi & Ebrahimi-Moghadam, Amir & Pishbin, Seyyed Iman & Pourramezan, Mahdi, 2019. "Investigating the effect of hydrogen injection on natural gas thermo-physical properties with various compositions," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 167(C), pages 235-245.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Gordon, Joel A. & Balta-Ozkan, Nazmiye & Nabavi, Seyed Ali, 2023. "Socio-technical barriers to domestic hydrogen futures: Repurposing pipelines, policies, and public perceptions," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 336(C).
    2. Navas-Anguita, Zaira & García-Gusano, Diego & Iribarren, Diego, 2019. "A review of techno-economic data for road transportation fuels," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 112(C), pages 11-26.
    3. Christina Ingo & Jessica Tuuf & Margareta Björklund-Sänkiaho, 2022. "Impact of Hydrogen on Natural Gas Compositions to Meet Engine Gas Quality Requirements," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(21), pages 1-13, October.
    4. Burton, N.A. & Padilla, R.V. & Rose, A. & Habibullah, H., 2021. "Increasing the efficiency of hydrogen production from solar powered water electrolysis," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 135(C).
    5. Kolb, Sebastian & Plankenbühler, Thomas & Frank, Jonas & Dettelbacher, Johannes & Ludwig, Ralf & Karl, Jürgen & Dillig, Marius, 2021. "Scenarios for the integration of renewable gases into the German natural gas market – A simulation-based optimisation approach," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 139(C).
    6. Johannes Full & Silja Hohmann & Sonja Ziehn & Edgar Gamero & Tobias Schließ & Hans-Peter Schmid & Robert Miehe & Alexander Sauer, 2023. "Perspectives of Biogas Plants as BECCS Facilities: A Comparative Analysis of Biomethane vs. Biohydrogen Production with Carbon Capture and Storage or Use (CCS/CCU)," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(13), pages 1-16, June.
    7. Freida Ozavize Ayodele & Siti Indati Mustapa & Bamidele Victor Ayodele & Norsyahida Mohammad, 2020. "An Overview of Economic Analysis and Environmental Impacts of Natural Gas Conversion Technologies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(23), pages 1-18, December.
    8. Mohammed Kebiru Ibrahim, Ufedo Monday Shaibu, 2024. "Analysis of Ghana—Nigeria Export Trade: Linkages, Impacts and Policy Implications," Research on World Agricultural Economy, Nan Yang Academy of Sciences Pte Ltd (NASS), vol. 5(4), November.
    9. Ebrahimi-Moghadam, Amir & Farzaneh-Gord, Mahmood, 2022. "Optimal operation of a multi-generation district energy hub based on electrical, heating, and cooling demands and hydrogen production," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 309(C).
    10. Ajanovic, Amela & Haas, Reinhard, 2018. "Economic prospects and policy framework for hydrogen as fuel in the transport sector," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 123(C), pages 280-288.
    11. Kotowicz, Janusz & Bartela, Łukasz & Węcel, Daniel & Dubiel, Klaudia, 2017. "Hydrogen generator characteristics for storage of renewably-generated energy," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 118(C), pages 156-171.
    12. Kleperis Jānis & Sloka Biruta & Dimants Justs & Dimanta Ilze & Kleperis Jānis, 2016. "Solution to Urban Air Pollution – Carbon Free Transport," Baltic Journal of Real Estate Economics and Construction Management, Sciendo, vol. 4(1), pages 32-47, November.
    13. Alviani, Vani Novita & Hirano, Nobuo & Watanabe, Noriaki & Oba, Masahiro & Uno, Masaoki & Tsuchiya, Noriyoshi, 2021. "Local initiative hydrogen production by utilization of aluminum waste materials and natural acidic hot-spring water," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 293(C).
    14. Roberta De Robbio, 2023. "Micro Gas Turbine Role in Distributed Generation with Renewable Energy Sources," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(2), pages 1-37, January.
    15. Alīna Safronova & Aiga Barisa, 2023. "Hydrogen Horizons: A Bibliometric Review of Trends in Diverse Emission Sectors," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-37, September.
    16. Álvarez-Álvarez, T. & Barbón, A. & Bayón, L. & Silva, C.A., 2025. "Energy, exergy, sustainability, environmental emission, and fuel cost analysis of a hot-dip galvanised steel wire process," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 319(C).
    17. Romeo, Luis M. & Cavana, Marco & Bailera, Manuel & Leone, Pierluigi & Peña, Begoña & Lisbona, Pilar, 2022. "Non-stoichiometric methanation as strategy to overcome the limitations of green hydrogen injection into the natural gas grid," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 309(C).
    18. Son, Yeong Geon & Oh, Byeong Chan & Acquah, Moses Amoasi & Kim, Sung Yul, 2023. "Optimal facility combination set of integrated energy system based on consensus point between independent system operator and independent power producer," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 266(C).
    19. Rezapour, Mojtaba & Deymi-Dashtebayaz, Mahdi, 2025. "Numerical optimization of natural gas composition effects on dual-fuel diesel engine performance and emissions," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 322(C).
    20. Mohamed, Mohamed A. & Jin, Tao & Su, Wencong, 2020. "An effective stochastic framework for smart coordinated operation of wind park and energy storage unit," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 272(C).

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:12:p:3181-:d:1680946. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.