Ensuring Hydrogen Pipeline Safety with Advanced Ultrasonic Crack Detection

As hydrogen gains momentum as a key energy carrier, operators face new integrity challenges—chief among them, the early detection of cracks in pipelines exposed to hydrogen’s uniquely aggressive properties. 

In this article, Dexon Technology Europe’s Markus Blust and Dennis Vogel examine the technical and regulatory pressures facing hydrogen pipeline operators and make the case for ultrasonic crack tip diffraction as the most reliable inspection method currently available. 

The paper outlines why hydrogen introduces far greater risks than methane, including embrittlement, heightened reactivity, and a lower ignition threshold. While corrosion has long been a primary concern, the authors argue that crack formation and propagation now demand equal, if not greater, attention. 

Through comparative analysis and real-world data, the article explains why ultrasonic-based in-line inspection (ILI)—particularly methods that measure crack tips rather than just reflected amplitudes—offer unmatched precision. This level of accuracy is critical not only for reducing uncertainty but also for making informed, long-term maintenance decisions. 

For operators repurposing natural gas pipelines for hydrogen, or designing new hydrogen infrastructure from the ground up, this paper provides valuable insight into why UT crack sizing technology remains indispensable—and why safe hydrogen transport begins with the right inspection tools. 

Click below to read the paper in full:
https://www.dexon-technology.com/assets/pdf/Hydrogen+Safety.pdf