A study on hydrogen charging effects on metals for future clean energy

• Main Author: Chia, Jin Siang
• Other Authors: Upadrasta Ramamurty
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: Nanyang Technological University 2024
• Subjects: Engineering; Hydrogen
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/176121
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

With the escalating imposition of global carbon taxes, the search for an alternative eco friendly and low-carbon energy source has started gaining traction and huge significance. Hydrogen is one of the alternatives that will emerge as we aim to become a low-carbon energy resource in the future [1]. However, introducing hydrogen into metal structures raises concerns about weakening the metals through hydrogen-induced embrittlement. Therefore, this study will employ hydrogen charging to understand how metals cope with hydrogen exposure. Hydrogen charging is a safe method that infuses metals with hydrogen for impact assessment. The primary objective of this research is to analyse the effects of hydrogen charging on various diverse metal alloys. A series of hydrogen charging tests will be conducted by using an electrochemical setup and referencing established protocols such as the ASTM G148-97 (American Society for Testing and Materials). Part of the experiment would be to examine changes in the physical characteristics as well as the structural integrity of the metals post-hydrogen exposure. The study looks to provide vital insights into strategies for mitigating hydrogen embrittlement. Ultimately, these findings would be used to aid in the development of more resilient metal compositions, which is essential for advancing hydrogen as a clean energy source amid the increasing carbon taxes in Singapore and all over the world. The research will utilise the material Stainless Steel 316 (SS316) as the experiment's benchmark before using different types of metals. If time permits, more experiments would be conducted to provide more precise and in-depth results on how much hydrogen would affect the structural integrity of the metals.