Visit Us at booth #604
C-FER Technologies and InnoTech Alberta are pleased to be part of the 2026 Canadian Hydrogen Convention.
C-FER’s Kirk Hamilton, Director, Engineering Services, show cases C-FER’s environments laboratory and how C-FER is helping with energy transformation.
Hydrogen Enabler Award Nominee
C-FER is honored to be nominated for the 2026 Hydrogen Enabler Award.
C‑FER enables safe, large‑scale hydrogen adoption by partnering with industry to evaluate, de‑risk, and advance technologies across hydrogen transportation, storage, and operations. Full‑scale testing facilities and specialized engineering capabilities recreate real‑world conditions to understand how hydrogen affects material performance and equipment integrity. Operators can make informed decision‑making from initial design to long‑term operation.
We help operators make evidence‑based decisions about hydrogen transport and storage by developing test methods, conducting full‑ and small‑scale evaluations, and creating custom engineering solutions. Our work enhances the understanding of hydrogen effects on pipelines and equipment. C‑FER contributes research insights to national and international standards committees and helped establish the Canadian Hydrogen Safety Centre to coordinate hydrogen safety research across Canada.
Supporting industry in the transition to hydrogen
Connection H-Test Protocol Joint Industry Project
C-FER is bringing together industry to develop a new protocol for connection testing in hydrogen. The protocol will be based on existing standards for non-hydrogen environments, with additional considerations specific to hydrogen service.
Consistent Methodology for
H-testing
Consistent use of such a protocol will also enable direct comparisons of test results and create a basis for qualifying connections for a variety of hydrogen applications.
Driving Standards for Hydrogen Applications
This Connection H-Test Protocol Joint Industry Project (H-Test JIP) aims to consolidate and advance industry efforts to develop a technically-rigorous protocol for evaluating casing connections in hydrogen applications.
H-test JIP Phases
The H-test JIP will be executed in a staged approach, with participating companies being able to subscribe to each phase individually.
Hydrogen Testing Capabilities
Overview
Full-scale Testing
Small-scale Testing
Paper Presentations
Underground Leak Migration Behavior of Hydrogen-Methane Blends: A Meso-scale Study
| Date | Time | Room Number |
|---|---|---|
| April 21, 2026 | 2:15 PM – 2:45 PM | H2 Tech Hub 2, Exhibition Floor |
Read the Associated Article
Given the transition to cleaner-energy solutions, there is focus on hydrogen as a potential fuel source. However, there are challenges that must be identified and addressed before it becomes a practical solution. One such challenge is the potential stratification behaviour of hydrogen from a blended gas leak.
Other studies have shown that hydrogen, due to its buoyancy and relative molecular size, has the propensity to separate from methane when not under pressure (i.e., in a leak scenario) – the test program described herein aimed to explore this phenomenon by means of meso-scale experimental and numerical modelling was utilized.
The diffusion behaviour of leaked gas blends was experimentally evaluated within a 2.4 m (width) by 7.2 m (long) by 2.4 m (deep) containment tank filled with bedding sand. A total of 18 custom gas sensors were installed throughout the tank, at various depths, to monitor the gas plume migration during the leak events. A range of blend percentages, each at two different flow rates, which represented operating conditions, were used for the releases.
The releases were initiative from the mid-point of an NPS 24 pipe installed in the bedding sand at the 12 o’clock position. The release orifice was fixed at 1 mm in diameter.Data from the gas sensors was monitored in real-time during testing to assess the migration patterns of the gas blends, with each test being concluded once the gas broke through the to atmosphere – generally, this was anywhere between 30 -60 minutes, depending on flow rates and blend composition.
The sensors directly above the leak port, in the sand, showed near-instantaneous readings after the gas was initially released.Faster migration and break-through times were observed with a corresponding increase in the gas flow rates and pressure.
It was also observed that increasing the hydrogen composition in gas blends led to similar outcomes, with a tendency for stratification during a leak event in some cases. higher release flow rates also promoted the stratification of hydrogen compared to lower flow rates, to a degree.
These results were used to validate numerical models, which also showed higher diffusivity of hydrogen than methane. Therefore, it was determined that the lower density and molecular size of hydrogen relative to methane can result in stratification of the two gases from a blend, with the blend percentage, sand/soil characteristics, and leak rate having significant impacts.
Contributor
E. George Ohaeri, PhD, PEng
Research Engineer
E. George Ohaeri joined C-FER in 2021 as a Research Engineer in the Pipeline Design and Construction department.
He holds a MSc in Pipeline Engineering from Newcastle University and a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Saskatchewan.
George is highly experienced in characterizing both metallic and non-metallic pipeline materials for various industrial applications.
