Laboratory Testing of Sealing Elastomers for Green Hydrogen Gas Transportation Service in Offshore Conditions

Abstract Elastomers are commonly used as seals in valves, pumps, and flanges for gas transportation, but they can be damaged by rapid gas decompression (RGD), especially under extreme conditions. While elastomers like FKM and NBR have been extensively studied in natural gas service, their behaviour in hydrogen environments is less understood. As green hydrogen becomes vital for achieving net-zero emissions, assessing the performance of elastomers under RGD conditions in hydrogen service, including offshore applications, is crucial. This study evaluates FKM, NBR, HNBR, CR, EPDM and VMQ at 25°C and 100°C under 150 barg hydrogen pressure. The results focus on their resistance to RGD in hydrogen gas transportation. The findings enhance understanding of how these elastomers perform in hydrogen environments, providing valuable insights for their use in green hydrogen applications. This study also contributes to knowledge on hydrogen transport, including non-renewable sources, aiding industry efforts to meet net-zero targets. This paper examines the resistance of elastomers to rapid gas decompression (RGD) in hydrogen environments, enhancing understanding at various temperatures and pressures. The findings offer valuable insights for their use in green hydrogen transportation and inform hydrogen transport from non-renewable sources, supporting industry efforts to achieve net-zero emissions.