PRCI's Milestone Collaboration: Enhancing Hydrogen Pipeline Standards with ASME
Key Ideas
- The Emerging Fuels Institute (EFI) of PRCI has updated pipeline language to include hydrogen rules for piping systems in ASME B31.8 standard, promoting clearer guidelines for industry partners.
- Over 200 individuals from ASME, PRCI, and the pipeline community reviewed the project, highlighting a collaborative effort to enhance pipeline safety and innovation.
- PRCI's project team will continue to work with ASME to present the proposed language for review and approval, aiming to include it in the 2026 edition of the B31.8 standard.
- The milestone achievement underscores industry-led research's ability to strengthen standards and facilitate safe deployment of emerging fuels worldwide.
The Emerging Fuels Institute (EFI) of the Pipeline Research Council International (PRCI) has successfully completed a vital project to incorporate hydrogen pipeline requirements into the ASME B31.8 Gas Transmission and Distribution Piping Systems Standard. This project involved translating and updating the existing pipeline language to establish a new exception chapter specifically tailored for hydrogen pipelines. The resulting comprehensive report serves as a practical guide to support fit-for-purpose projects and ensure pipeline safety maintenance.
ASME's Senior Managing Director of standards and engineering services, Chris Cantrell, emphasized the significance of this update in providing clear and consensus-based rules for hydrogen piping systems. The collaborative effort involved over 200 individuals from ASME, PRCI, and the broader pipeline community who reviewed the project and contributed valuable feedback.
The President of PRCI, Cliff Johnson, highlighted the project's alignment with PRCI's mission to advance pipeline safety and innovation through research-driven solutions. By combining the expertise of PRCI's Emerging Fuels Institute with ASME, a practical framework has been established to standardize hydrogen pipeline requirements within the widely used B31.8 standard, paving the way for the safe and efficient deployment of hydrogen as an emerging fuel.
Looking ahead, the PRCI project team will continue to collaborate with the ASME B31.8 Hydrogen Task Group to present the proposed language for a consensus review process. The goal is to include this updated language in the 2026 edition of the B31.8 standard, further solidifying the foundation for the safe integration of hydrogen within global pipeline infrastructure. This achievement marks a significant milestone in enhancing industry standards and accelerating the adoption of clean energy solutions worldwide.