Showing posts with label Norway. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Norway. Show all posts

Offshore hydrogen storage system made of UHPC concrete

Standard concrete can suffer various problems due to hydrogen, especially in special applications such as
hydrogen storage or hydrogen pipelines. The main problems are:

1. Micro-cracking due to hydrogen pressure

  • Problem: hydrogen is a small molecule that can enter pores and micro-cracks in concrete. When hydrogen is under high pressure in these pores, it can expand the pores and enlarge cracks.
  • Consequences:
    • weakening of the mechanical strength of the concrete.
    • Progressive damage due to cyclic loading.

Due to its very high density, UHPC has significantly fewer problems with this issue and its consequences.

 

2. Damage due to hydrogen embrittlement (indirect)

  • Problem: Hydrogen does not chemically attack concrete, but it can embrittle steel reinforcement elements embedded in the concrete. This is referred to as hydrogen embrittlement.
  • Consequences:
    • Reduction in load-bearing capacity due to cracking and failure of the reinforcement steel.
    • Shortening of the service life of the concrete structure.

Due to the very high material density, possible hydrogen embrittlement occurs after aconsiderably longer period of time and to a small extent. 

 

3. Reaction with free ions and moisture

  • Problem: Hydrogen can react with moisture and chemical compounds in the concrete (e.g. calcium hydroxide), creating by-products such as water or hydroxide ions.
  • Consequences:
    • Alteration of the chemical composition of the concrete, which can lead to a reduction in alkalinity.
    • Accelerated corrosion of the reinforcement due to the loss of the passivation effect.

Occurs to a much lesser extent in UHPC


4. Pore structure and permeability

  • Problem: Hydrogen can easily diffuse through the pore structure of concrete due to its small molecular size, especially in porous or poorly compacted concrete.
  • Consequences:
    • Loss of tightness, which is critical for hydrogen storage tanks or pipes.
    • The ingress of hydrogen causes pressure build-up and damage.

Hydrogen can only penetrate UHPC concrete very slowly and under high pressure because UHPC concrete is an extremely dense material.


5. Increased risk of a hydrogen fire

  • Problem: If hydrogen escapes from the concrete (e.g. through diffusion or crack formation), there is a risk of a hydrogen fire, as hydrogen is highly flammable.
  • Consequences:
    • Safety risk for the surrounding area.
    • Additional thermal stress on the concrete.

Due to its high material density and strength, the risk is only present to a very limited extent
with UHPC concrete.

Ultra-high performance concrete offers many advantages, but requires careful planning and adaptation when exposed to hydrogen, especially in demanding applications such as hydrogen storage or transport lines.










Our UHPC laboratory is visited by an old friend, who will take over the representation for Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Vietnam in the future.

We had a visit from long-time friends in our UHPC lab. We have known each other for more than 25 years
father and son, Finn Severin Jensen and Peter Severin Jensen. We all worked for the same company years ago. Finn and Peter were the best supervisors we had. They have worked as supervisors for UHPC installation in almost every country in the world. There is hardly anyone who knows the practice of UHPC installation in different conditions as well as these two. 


Peter will be our representative for all our HPC and UHPC products for Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Vietnam.
Peter is also planning to start a pipe section production including a wear lining in Vietnam in the next few months.


We are looking forward to a successful future together.

 


 

WPE DK International

Phone: 0049 176 601 73146
E-mail: info@wpe-dk.dk
Homepage: www.wpe-dk.com

UHPC Workshop in Germany


Our manufactory is not very big. Here we
playfully develop new design ideas, new
material combinations and, if necessary,
develop new UHPC Ultra High Performance
concrete mixing recipes.

Our manufactury is to transform the
advantages and peculiarities of our own
UHPC material creations into design
designs. We also develop special material creations for designers, similar to those in the textile industry.
Our UHPC material qualities are used from the smallest jewelery to complete house interiors.

We have the possibility for interested parties outside of Europe to connect directly to our UHPC development laboratory via TEAM, SKYPE etc.. After making an appointment, we will then be available for you.

We only produce UHPC design material of the highest quality for designers.

Some of our qualities can be processed
with standard mixing machines.

We are working on a new cast process
in order to be able to achieve even finer
wall thicknesses and structures, or to be
able to use previously used processing
techniques in the field of clay processing
and plastering for our material. We are
currently working on a material quality
that can be processed like clay on the
turntable.

We plan to move our manufacture
workshop this year in an old farm
with big barns.
Here, we want to invite students and
designer from all over the world to
work together with us to develop new
design ideas and put them to practical
use, which requires more space.


You want to try out our UHPC design
material?

We ship 5 kg plastic containers free of
charge within Europe.
Outside of Europe, unfortunately, we
have to take a very small freight surcharge.




WPE DK International

Phone: 0049 176 601 73146
E-mail: info@wpe-dk.dk
Homepage: www.wpe-dk.com