PE 100+ association leads permeation tests for H2 ready certification

A number of gas utilities and grid owners have approached the PE 100+ association regarding the suitability of PE 100 pipe systems for the transport of hydrogen. In order to answer to these queries, which mainly concerned the permeability of hydrogen through the wall of PE 100 pipes, the association initiated a program with the German DBI Test Institute.

This involved a series of tests to measure the permeability of typical PE 100, PE 100-RC and PE 80 materials, in pipe form, at temperatures of 8, 14 and 20 °C and at a target pressure of 6.3 bar. The report is now published on our website to assist gas utilities and other organisations in undertaking permeation calculations.

In summary, the results show that the determined permeation coefficients of all the tested PE materials lie in a similar range, are in line with the expectations and demonstrate that they are suitable for use in hydrogen distribution networks