Selecting the right hydrogen valves
If the proper components are selected , hydrogen may well be the fuel that drives transportation in the future .
By Chuck Hayes , Principal Applications Engineer for Clean
Energy , Swagelok
for the transportation sector
Image © 2023 Swagelok
As the world moves away from traditional internal combustion engines over concerns about what carbon emissions are doing to the planet , it must find a more environmentally friendly method of powering its vehicles . One of the most promising options is hydrogen , which can be safe , cost-effective , practical , and sustainable . To enable its widespread adoption , fluid systems for hydrogen vehicles and their refuelling infrastructure must be constructed using only the highest quality materials . Components in these systems must be leaktight throughout and durable enough to last for years and possibly decades , and not all components can deliver such performance . The nature of hydrogen presents its challenges , and requires the use of components that meet specific performance standards . One particularly important category of components is the valves that control the flow of hydrogen within a vehicle and throughout a refuelling system . Choosing the most effective valves is critical to ensuring these applications work effectively and protect end-users in the process .
Advantages and challenges of H2 fuel systems
Hydrogen is less hazardous than other fuels because it is non-toxic and , if handled properly , is not as volatile as other compounds . In addition , hydrogen-fuelled vehicles are designed to incorporate safety equipment and protocols so they provide safe and reliable performance . Unlike traditional gasoline , hydrogen is so light that it will usually rise and disperse rapidly if leaked , making the risk of ground-level ignition much lower . Furthermore , hydrogen can be produced much more sustainably than comparable fossil fuels . The hydrogen expended in a fuel cell does not emit carbon dioxide or other byproducts . Its sole outputs are energy and pure water , which will consequently reduce the amount of greenhouse gas generated globally and effectively help combat global climate change . However , despite all these advantages over carbon-based fuels , hydrogen presents challenges for vehicle and refuelling station manufacturers . Hydrogen molecules within on-vehicle or refuelling equipment are extremely tiny and under varying degrees of pressure . Therefore , the importance of leak-tight performance from all components throughout the entire system is critical . If hydrogen gas escapes , it could pose a potential safety risk for end users , particularly during refuelling . In addition , leaks from vehicles or storage systems make π www . valve-world . net Valve World February 2023
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