Material Characterisation and Design Dual Phase Steel for Hydrogen Application in the Energy Sector

Abstract

The era of clean and sustainable energy transition is long overdue if net zero emissions by 2050 scenario is still the target, as per the Paris Agreement. Since the early 20’s, intense research interests have been sparked in several aspects to explore the use of alternative energy source. Hydrogen is one of the clean and efficient energy carriers and it presents as a suitable zero emission fuel. It is one of the best chances to avoid drastic climate change effects by 2050, yet its storage, distribution, and transformation come with a major challenge limited by the interacting material’s behaviour. This thesis focuses on the material characterisation and design for hydrogen application by analysing the hydrogen absorption rate of a dual-phase 980MPa by Slow Strain Rate Test (SSRT) and Thermal Desorption Spectroscopy (TDS) interactions under vary conditions of pressure, current density, and pressure., to understand design limitations and strategies for the materials for optimal usage for hydrogen in the energy sector. The improvement in hydrogen-related material could improve the efficiency of hydrogen-related energy generation, transportation, and distribution. The research work starts with a comprehensive literature review on hydrogen embrittlement mechanism and its impact on structural and mechanical properties of metallic material (Dual phase steel). The various laboratory-induced hydrogen permeation, adsorption, hydrogen charging- electrochemical, and hydrogen measurement by Thermal Desorption Spectroscopy (TDS) alongside several other characterisation techniques for monitoring the effects and interactions of hydrogen, specifically Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The findings from the TDS test will provide an insightful understanding of the hydrogen absorption rate of the dual-phase steel, kinetics of hydrogen’s interactions, microstructural changes, and behaviour of hydrogen-induced degradation on mechanical properties of metallic materials. The research findings provide insightful knowledge of the behaviour of the metallic material in hydrogen environments, and this will aid in the design of materials robust and efficient for hydrogen application in the energy sector.