As industries strive to reduce their carbon footprint , carbon capture , utilisation and storage ( CCUS ) technologies have emerged as critical components of decarbonisation efforts . Valmet is actively involved in the development of these technologies , participating in cutting-edge research projects like the Hydrogen UnderGround ( HUG ) initiative . The HUG project , co-funded by Business Finland and part of Valmet ’ s Beyond Circularity R & D program , focuses on the underground storage of hydrogen , a key aspect of the green hydrogen value chain . Ville Kähkönen emphasises Valmet ’ s contribution , stating , “ Our long experience and comprehensive portfolio cover most applications in the industrial use of hydrogen . Today , Valmet offers a wide range of segment , butterfly , ball and other valves for hydrogen applications , ranging from electrolysis to carbon recovery .” In addition to hydrogen storage , Valmet ’ s expertise extends to carbon dioxide ( CO2 ) applications , including handling risks associated π www . valve-world . net Valve World October 2024
POWER GENERATION
Enabling the energy transition with flow control solutions
As the power generation industry embraces the energy transition , Valmet is leveraging its extensive expertise with industrial gases to provide innovative flow control solutions . With a deep understanding of emerging technologies like green hydrogen production and carbon capture , utilisation and storage ( CCUS ), Valmet ’ s Flow Control business line is wellpositioned to support the shift towards sustainable power generation practices .
By Melonie Dodaro , Valve World
Hydrogen is widely recognised as a crucial energy carrier for the storage and transportation of renewable energy . Its versatility and potential applications span a wide range of industries , from heating and electricity generation to powering vehicles and industrial processes . Recognising the growing importance of hydrogen , governments worldwide are actively planning the development of nationwide hydrogen pipeline networks to facilitate the integration of this innovative fuel into their energy systems . Valmet ’ s Flow Control business line has a longstanding track record in handling industrial gases like hydrogen , oxygen and CO2 , positioning the company as a trusted partner in the rapidly growing hydrogen economy . Ville Kähkönen , Director of Renewable Energy and Gases at Valmet , highlights the company ’ s extensive portfolio , stating , “ Our segment , butterfly , ball and other valve designs cover practically all valve needs in the energy transition , whether for hydrogen , oxygen or carbon dioxide service , withstanding high temperatures . Our valves have been proven in electrolysers , providing excellent control accuracy , safety and reliability .”
Addressing the challenges of hydrogen service
Handling hydrogen safely and effectively requires extensive expertise in material selection and testing . Valmet ’ s materials team has developed specialised knowledge in this area , designing and selecting appropriate test methods to generate data on how metallic and non-metallic materials respond in hydrogen environments . This data is invaluable for Valmet ’ s design engineers , allowing them to perform comprehensive engineering calculations to qualify material compatibility for hydrogen service . While hydrogen presents unique challenges , Valmet ’ s decades of experience in handling industrial gases position the company well to address them . A key consideration is mitigating the risks associated with hydrogen ’ s small molecular size , which can make controlling internal tightness and fugitive emissions more challenging . Additionally , hydrogen has the potential to deteriorate certain material properties , reducing damage tolerance for components . Liquid hydrogen service , commonly used for transport and short time storage , introduces further complexities due to the extremely low temperatures involved . “ At these low
Flow control solutions play a role in the energy transition , with reliability as a key factor .
temperatures , some metallic materials can become very brittle , and non-metallic materials can lose their properties , compromising valve tightness and safety ,” explains Andreas Pischke , Global Industry Manager for Renewable Energy and Gas at Valmet . “ Dimensional changes occurring during temperature transitions can also impact internal tightness and external sealing points .” Valmet ’ s comprehensive approach to material selection and testing , combined with its extensive knowledge in industrial gas applications , enables the company to develop valve solutions that can withstand the demanding conditions of hydrogen service in power generation facilities .
Enabling carbon capture solutions
As industries strive to reduce their carbon footprint , carbon capture , utilisation and storage ( CCUS ) technologies have emerged as critical components of decarbonisation efforts . Valmet is actively involved in the development of these technologies , participating in cutting-edge research projects like the Hydrogen UnderGround ( HUG ) initiative . The HUG project , co-funded by Business Finland and part of Valmet ’ s Beyond Circularity R & D program , focuses on the underground storage of hydrogen , a key aspect of the green hydrogen value chain . Ville Kähkönen emphasises Valmet ’ s contribution , stating , “ Our long experience and comprehensive portfolio cover most applications in the industrial use of hydrogen . Today , Valmet offers a wide range of segment , butterfly , ball and other valves for hydrogen applications , ranging from electrolysis to carbon recovery .” In addition to hydrogen storage , Valmet ’ s expertise extends to carbon dioxide ( CO2 ) applications , including handling risks associated π www . valve-world . net Valve World October 2024
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