Simulation of Hydrogen Gas Transportation through Pipeline Manifold Systems in Gas Gathering Facilities using CFD Software

Abstract

This paper presents a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) study on the simulation of hydrogen gas transportation through a pipeline manifold system using SimFlow. The project aims to evaluate the flow characteristics of hydrogen gas, focusing on velocity and pressure profiles to identify potential inefficiencies and areas for optimization. Using a simulated 3D model of a pipeline manifold, the study analyzes the behavior of hydrogen flow through varying pipeline geometries and cross-sections. Key findings include high-velocity regions reaching 2.3 m/s near the pipeline exit and low-velocity zones around 0.59 m/s near the inlet branches. Pressure variations were also observed, with high-pressure zones up to 4.3 MPa at the inlets and low-pressure regions dropping to -1.4 MPa near the outlet, indicating significant pressure loss along the pipeline. These variations contribute to turbulence, recirculation, and potential material stress. Convergence of the simulation was achieved after 388 iterations, indicating numerical stability in the solution. This study provides valuable insights into optimizing hydrogen transport infrastructure, ensuring safe and efficient delivery in pipeline system.