Application of carbon steel pipes in the field of new energy

With the continuous development of human industrialization, the large-scale use of fossil energy such as coal, oil and gas, and the intensification of global warming have seriously endangered human survival. Against this background, a series of demonstration projects have been implemented, including energy transformation technologies represented by hydrogen energy, new energy utilization technologies represented by new energy storage, and carbon reduction technologies represented by CO2 capture and utilization.

As an important carrier for the transportation of materials and energy, steel pipes are the basic material guarantee for the development of emerging industries related to the "dual carbon" strategy. At the same time, the development of emerging industries has also put forward new requirements for the functions and performance of steel pipes, especially the safety and economy of steel pipes, which are directly related to the technical research and development and project construction related to the "dual carbon" strategy. Let's discuss the important applications of carbon steel pipes in the field of new energy.

The application of carbon steel pipes (cs pipe) in the field of new energy mainly includes the following aspects:

1. Power batteries and energy storage batteries

In new energy vehicles, the positive electrode materials of the battery often use lithium cobalt oxide, ternary materials, etc., but the selection of negative electrode materials is more flexible. Carbon steel pipes are mainly used in power batteries and energy storage batteries as negative electrode materials. In power batteries, carbon steel tube negative electrode materials are often used in combination with lithium cobalt oxide positive electrode materials. In energy storage batteries, due to the requirements of long battery life and high energy density, carbon steel tubes are generally graphitized to improve their electrochemical performance and mechanical strength.

Carbon steel tubes not only have high electrical conductivity, but also have low prices and more controllable costs. In addition, compared with other materials, carbon steel tubes will not be in short supply due to raw material restrictions.

2. Carbon dioxide pipelines

In carbon capture, utilization and storage technology (CCUS), carbon steel pipes are used for CO2 pipelines. At present, there are mainly tank truck transportation, ship transportation and pipeline transportation in CO2 transportation. Among them, pipeline transportation is the most cost-effective way to transport CO2 over long distances. Its cost is about 35% of the cost of tank truck transportation, which can effectively reduce the operating cost of CCUS projects. Pipeline transportation of CO2 often uses dense phase or supercritical state transportation to take advantage of its low viscosity and high density to achieve higher economy and large-scale transportation.

3. Hydrogen transportation

Hydrogen transportation pipelines are also one of the important application areas of steel pipes for new energy. Hydrogen can be transported in three ways: gaseous, liquid and solid according to the state of the transport medium. At present, gaseous hydrogen storage and transportation is the most widely used. Gaseous hydrogen storage and transportation can be carried out by gas cylinders, long tube trailers and pipelines. However, the transportation capacity of gas cylinders and long tube trailers is limited and the cost is high, which makes it difficult to support the large-scale application of hydrogen energy. Therefore, the development of pipeline hydrogen transportation is an inevitable choice.

With the development of hydrogen energy technology, the demand for hydrogen transportation pipelines continues to increase. These pipelines need to have high strength, corrosion resistance and good sealing performance to ensure the safe transportation of hydrogen.

4. Compressed air energy storage

Compressed air energy storage refers to the technology of using fluctuating power such as wind and light and the surplus power during the low load period of the power grid to compress air into a gas storage container to form high-pressure gas, and then release the high-pressure gas during the peak power consumption and generate electricity through turbines, thereby improving the power grid regulation capacity and new energy consumption capacity. The main gas storage methods for compressed air energy storage include salt caverns, artificial chambers, ground gas storage tanks, abandoned mines, etc.

In compressed air energy storage technology, carbon steel pipes are used for injection and production pipes to help store and release energy. This technology plays an important role in energy storage and regulation, and can improve energy utilization efficiency and system stability.

Read more: Advantages and disadvantages of carbon steel pipe or Carbon steel tube material and use