Pipeline Technology Innovation Under the Dual-Carbon Context: New Hydrogen Pipeline Forming Process Implemented, Supporting Hydrogen Network Construction

Against the backdrop of the continued advancement of the “dual carbon” strategy and the domestic hydrogen industry gradually moving from demonstration pilots to large-scale deployment, pipeline transportation is widely recognized as the preferred route for large-scale, long-distance, low-cost hydrogen delivery. Among the key manufacturing steps that constrain the implementation of pure-hydrogen pipeline projects are pipe forming, welding stability, and weld quality control. Sina Finance. Recently, an apparatus and method for forming hydrogen transport pipelines jointly developed by Hebei Haiqianwei Steel Pipe Co., Ltd. and Handan Iron and Steel Group Co., Ltd. officially received an invention patent certificate issued by the China National Intellectual Property Administration (Patent No.: ZL202610864257.4, authorization announcement date: September 15, 2026), providing a new technical solution for standardized and stable production of domestic straight-seam hydrogen transport pipelines.

Hydrogen transport pipelines differ from conventional oil and gas transmission steel pipes. Hydrogen molecules are smaller, and therefore place stricter requirements on weld seam uniformity, forming accuracy, and internal residual stress control. Weld defects and forming deviations will directly increase the risk of hydrogen embrittlement and leakage, which is also one of the key areas currently being tackled by the industry. The newly authorized invention patent belongs to the field of metal straight-seam pipeline welding and forming technology. The complete device includes a work frame, a conveying roller unit, a welding torch, a pre-welding positioning unit, and a post-welding treatment unit. The technical solution uses positioning cone rollers to roll and limit both sides of the steel plate joint seam, constraining the tube blank from rotating during pipeline conveying and forming, ensuring that the joint seam position remains stably aligned with the welding station. Combined with the matching post-welding treatment process, it optimizes the weld forming state, reduces quality risks caused by forming deviations, and is suited to the requirements for consistency and sealing performance in high-pressure hydrogen transport conditions.

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Figure 1: Patent certificate image for Hebei Haiqianwei’s hydrogen transport pipeline forming device and forming method

The patent R&D team consists of Hou Yonggao, Jia Gaifeng, Zhang Shengyong, Liu Yuesheng, Li Bin, Wang Xinjun, Wang Hongqian, and Liu Shusheng. The patent application was filed on June 16, 2026, and was successfully granted after substantive examination by the China National Intellectual Property Administration. The patent holders are Hebei Haiqianwei Steel Pipe Co., Ltd., located in Yanshan, Cangzhou, and Handan Iron and Steel Group Co., Ltd., forming an innovation model of joint research between a steel pipe manufacturing enterprise and a leading upstream steel materials company.

As a backbone enterprise in China’s line pipe manufacturing sector, Hebei Haiqianwei Steel Pipe has long focused on the technological iteration of clean-energy transportation pipelines, continuously building technical reserves related to hydrogen transport and hydrogen blending pipelines. It has previously obtained multiple patent results in areas such as hydrogen transport pipeline welding auxiliary devices and pipeline defect detection. The company has also joined with scientific research institutions to establish a key laboratory for clean-energy pipeline manufacturing, continuously carrying out experimental validation around hydrogen compatibility, welding processes, and non-destructive testing. Its products support pipeline demand for multiple domestic hydrogen demonstration projects in Yanshan County People’s... As a leading enterprise in domestic steel materials R&D and supply, Handan Iron and Steel can provide stable raw material R&D and supply support for hydrogen transport specialty pipes. The joint R&D by both sides has opened up a collaborative innovation channel along the “materials — forming — welding” chain for special pipelines.

From an industry perspective, domestic hydrogen pipeline network construction is still in its early stage. Demonstration projects for pure-hydrogen long-distance pipelines are gradually being implemented, but there is still considerable room for iteration in manufacturing processes for hydrogen transport pipes suitable for large-scale mass production and high consistency. In the forming process of traditional straight-seam steel pipes, tube blanks are prone to shifting and twisting during conveying, easily causing weld centering deviations and increasing the pressure of subsequent flaw detection and safety assessment. The technical path of this new patent focuses on optimizing the stability of forming alignment, which can reduce manual intervention in continuous production scenarios, improve dimensional consistency in batch production of straight-seam hydrogen transport pipes, and help reduce safety risks for subsequent pipelines in high-pressure hydrogen transport scenarios, providing process support for future hydrogen blending and pure-hydrogen pipeline projects.

Industry analysis points out that the bottleneck of the hydrogen industry is concentrated in storage and transportation. Pipeline transport is the core carrier for realizing large-scale hydrogen allocation, and the continuous accumulation of related manufacturing processes and quality control technologies will continue to lower the threshold for hydrogen pipeline network construction and support the cross-regional allocation of renewable-energy hydrogen production. It is worth noting that a single process patent cannot completely solve all industry challenges such as hydrogen embrittlement and long-term service safety. The implementation of hydrogen transport pipeline projects still requires supporting systems such as dedicated hydrogen-compatible steel materials, full-process non-destructive testing, operational monitoring, and standards and specifications. The industry chain still needs sustained collaborative investment from multiple parties.

Looking ahead, the relevant technical team at Haiqianwei Steel Pipe said it will continue to rely on this patented technology to carry out pilot-scale process verification, continuously optimize forming parameters in line with hydrogen transport project operating conditions, and work with Handan Iron and Steel to continuously carry out joint R&D on new materials and new processes, further enriching the technical reserves for clean-energy pipelines and serving domestic hydrogen infrastructure construction through technological innovation at the pipeline manufacturing end.

Q&A on Hydrogen Transport Pipelines

Q1: What is the biggest manufacturing difference between hydrogen transport pipelines and ordinary oil and gas transmission steel pipes?

A: Hydrogen molecules have strong permeability and are more likely to cause hydrogen embrittlement failure. Therefore, hydrogen transport pipelines have higher requirements for steel material properties, weld forming quality, residual stress control, and non-destructive testing standards. The stability control of pipeline forming and welding processes is much stricter than for conventional gas pipelines.

Q2: What problems are easily encountered in the forming process of straight-seam hydrogen transport pipelines?

A: During conveying and seam closing, the tube blank is prone to twisting and deviation, causing misalignment of the weld seam centerline; uneven weld forming and excessive residual stress, in a high-pressure hydrogen environment, will magnify the risks of leakage and hydrogen embrittlement failure. This is also the pain point that this patent primarily addresses.

Q3: Why do steel pipe mills and steel companies jointly develop hydrogen transport pipeline technology?

A: The performance foundation of hydrogen transport pipelines lies in dedicated steel materials, and the forming process must match the mechanical properties of the steel. Steel mills are responsible for developing hydrogen-compatible plate materials, while pipe mills focus on forming and welding processes. Upstream-downstream collaboration can avoid disconnects between materials and process compatibility and improve the efficiency of technology implementation.

Q4: Does the implementation of a hydrogen transport pipeline patent mean that large-scale hydrogen long-distance pipeline networks can be laid out?

A: Process patents solve some technical problems in the manufacturing process. Large-scale construction of hydrogen pipeline networks also requires a comprehensive supporting system of pipe standards, safety specifications, supervision and acceptance systems, and operational monitoring plans. It is a systematic project driven by coordinated efforts across the entire industry chain.

Patent title: Apparatus and method for forming hydrogen transport pipelines

Patent No.: ZL202610864257.4

Authorization announcement No.: CN122401080 B

Patent holders: Hebei Haiqianwei Steel Pipe Co., Ltd., Handan Iron and Steel Group Co., Ltd.

Authorization date: September 15, 2026

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