• SwRI has expanded its Metering Research Facility to test hydrogen (H₂)–natural gas blends, adding new injection and safety systems to study how H₂ affects pipeline infrastructure, flow measurement and equipment performance.

Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) has expanded its Metering Research Facility (MRF) to support the growing need to evaluate how natural gas pipelines and related infrastructure perform when blended with H₂.

The upgrades, funded internally, allow SwRI to test H₂–natural gas mixtures across a range of operating conditions. The initiative draws on the Institute’s experience in energy, power and automotive engineering to help utilities, pipeline operators and equipment manufacturers understand how H₂ blending affects system performance and safety.

“Blending hydrogen into natural gas pipelines could prove to be a promising, cost-effective pathway to reduce greenhouse gas emissions using existing natural gas infrastructure,” said MRF Manager Adam Hawley. “SwRI’s goal is to have a research test bed to support these activities.”

SwRI repurposed an existing gas loop at the MRF — originally designed for flow measurement and compression studies in low-pressure natural gas service — to accommodate H₂ blends. The expanded setup includes a H₂ injection system and new safety systems to detect both H₂ and natural gas leaks.

“SwRI originally designed the MRF to accurately measure natural gas flow, and we’ve now adapted the facility to include hydrogen,” said Assistant Program Manager Matthew Godush. “This leverages years of research and infrastructure already in place.”

Initial studies will focus on blends containing 5% to 25% H₂. The facility can simulate transmission, distribution and end-use scenarios and provide flow measurement testing, gas analysis, compatibility evaluations, endurance testing, and leak detection studies.

“Our goal is to show, through testing and research, the process needed to upgrade natural gas infrastructure to accommodate hydrogen,” Godush said. “Demonstrating the efficiency and feasibility of these applications creates a large and economically viable case for hydrogen as a reliable fuel source.”

SwRI plans to expand its multidisciplinary H₂ research program to support broader industry decarbonization efforts.