A New Hydrogen-Metal Testing Facility in Qatar

Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute, affiliated with Hamad Bin Khalifa University, has announced the commissioning of a new test facility to examine the interaction of hydrogen with metals, in order to enhance its capabilities in the field of corrosion research.

The new facility, established under the umbrella of the Institute's Corrosion Center, will contribute to the development of predictive models based on prior knowledge. These models will help major industrial organizations in Qatar address material safety challenges in order to promote hydrogen rationing.

The new facility allows the institute’s scientists to study the effect of hydrogen on the mechanical properties of materials at different length scales, from nanometers to centimeters

Dr. Afroze Barnoch, Principal Scientist at the Center for Corrosion and Materials and lead of the Hydrogen Project said: “We are currently involved in several projects examining this challenge, including 3D-printed additively manufactured alloys for use in conditions where the risk of hydrogen embrittlement is high.”

And he added: “Additive manufacturing provides capabilities for a specially designed microstructure of metals to make them more resistant to hydrogen embrittlement. However, finding the appropriate microstructure and construction strategies needed to implement these optimal microstructures requires extensive research work. For this reason, we also cooperate with leading industrial companies in Qatar, and globally.”

Since its launch in 2019, the QEERI center has been committed to engaging and working closely with stakeholders in Qatar to identify industrial needs and provide technical and research support in the field of corrosion and materials engineering.

For her part, Dr. Hanan Farhat, Senior Director of the Corrosion Center, explained that the center's approach is to transform each corrosion challenge into a research, development, and innovation project, where scientific knowledge is combined with industrial expertise to provide specialized solutions and produce more knowledge, science, and technology.

She said that the materials for the hydrogen program have already attracted interest and funding from stakeholders in the sector, adding, "The energy transition is inevitable. The issue of safe infrastructure for hydrogen production, transportation, and storage is essential for sustainable production."

In his turn, Dr. Mark Vermeersch, Executive Director of the Institute, indicated that QEERI is working to meet the challenges related to the energy transition, at all levels, indicating that erosion is a major concern for the country's major industries, and for the sustainability of urban and industrial infrastructure.

He added, "Technological and scientific innovation is essential, and efforts to enhance our corrosion capabilities through the introduction of new equipment and trained personnel enable us to ensure our ability to provide more feasible and effective economic solutions to Qatar and other countries."

In addition to its research activities, the Institute's Corrosion Center supports industrial enterprises by providing technical advice and services, including fitness-to-service assessment, corrosion risk assessment, root cause failure analysis, corrosion management planning, qualification of corrosion inhibitors, and advice on material selection.