NATURAL GAS TECHNOLOGIES: NATURAL GAS INFRASTRUCTURE

27. Natural Gas Technologies: Natural Gas Infrastructure Maximum Phase I Award Amount: $250,000 Maximum Phase II Award Amount: $1,600,000 Accepting SBIR Phase I Applications: YES Accepting STTR Phase I Applications: YES The Oil and Gas Program's Natural Gas Infrastructure (NGI) R&D Technology Area supports research to advance the resiliency and flexibility of our Nation's natural gas transportation and storage infrastructure. These efforts include developing next-generation pipeline materials; improving the reliability of gathering, compression, and storage system components; creating sensor platforms capable of identifying and quantifying methane emissions, and advancing technologies for repairing pipeline damage without disruption of service. This Area of Interest (AOI) seeks applications which propose research to develop tools, methods, and/or technologies that 1) improve hydrogen transport efficiency within existing natural gas infrastructure, 2) provide real-time monitoring capabilities for natural gas/hydrogen blends throughout transport, and 3) mitigate or eliminate hydrogen leakage from natural gas infrastructure. Applications under this AOI are required to address safety considerations related to the testing and implementation of technologies being proposed. In addition, applications under this AOI are encouraged to consider data needs with respect to data analytics and artificial intelligence concepts. As such, technologies developed under this AOI may address how the proposed technology fills critical data gaps needed for advanced data analytics. Grant applications are sought in the following subtopics: a. Hydrogen Transport Novel technology approaches that in the future will enable the transport of hydrogen, in batches or in blends with natural gas, within the U.S. long-distance natural gas transmission system. Of interest are technologies that can significantly reduce the energy penalty associated with traditional compression methods when applied to low-molecular weight hydrogen gas. These approaches can include the densification of hydrogen though physical or chemical means. Any proposed technology must mitigate the potential for hydrogen embrittlement, leakage of hydrogen through seals and connections, and other hydrogen safety risks. Questions Contact: William Fincham, william.fincham@netl.doe.gov b. Sensors for Hydrogen Monitoring Advanced sensors for real-time monitoring of hydrogen concentration within a pipeline quality natural gas stream throughout transportation infrastructure for efficient end use. Such sensors can be stand-alone hydrogen concentration sensors or part of a more comprehensive set of sensing capabilities, and could include new designs or retro-fit modifications to existing sensor technologies. These sensors should be compatible with existing pipeline monitoring systems. Questions Contact: William Fincham, william.fincham@netl.doe.gov c. Hydrogen Leakage Detection and Mitigation Technologies capable of detecting and mitigating hydrogen leakage throughout existing natural gas infrastructure. Such technologies could include new sensing tools, both fixed and mobile and for either remote or close-in detection. Mitigation technologies could include repair or replacement options, with the capability of retro-fit to existing equipment a high priority feature. Questions Contact: William Fincham, william.fincham@netl.doe.gov d. Other In addition to the specific subtopics listed above, grant applications in other areas relevant to this topic are invited. Questions Contact: William Fincham, william.fincham@netl.doe.gov References: Subtopic a: 1. Office of Fossil Energy. Hydrogen Strategy Enabling A Low-Carbon Economy. U.S Department of Energy, 2020, https://www.energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2020/07/f76/USDOE_FE_Hydrogen_Strategy_July2020.pdf References: Subtopic b: 1. Office of Fossil Energy. Hydrogen Strategy Enabling A Low-Carbon Economy. U.S Department of Energy, 2020, https://www.energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2020/07/f76/USDOE_FE_Hydrogen_Strategy_July2020.pdf References: Subtopic c: 1. Hoagland, B. Hydrogen leak detection low cost distributed gas sensors. U.S. Department of Energy, Element One, Inc, https://www.energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2014/03/f10/webinarslides_element_one_040312.pdf