Use of hydrogen

 

The term « hydrogen economy » was first used in 1970. Over the years such plans became more and more concrete and in 2019 it was announced that a hydrogen plant was planned in the port of Hamburg. This would be the largest hydrogen plant worldwide.

So far, hydrogen has been produced primarily from fossil fuels (e.g. natural gas and heavy oil). However, due to the high amounts of carbon dioxide produced during the production process, it was felt necessary to change the production more sustainable. The energies used to produce hydrogen had to be renewable, and this brought wind and solar energy into the picture.

So a lot has happened since the discovery of hydrogen in 1766! Today, more than 600 billion cubic meters of hydrogen are produced annually worldwide. Science has now reached a point where hydrogen is already present in many areas of our lives and this raw material will accompany us much more intensively in the future.

In the transport sector, for example, there are many points of contact. In the future, local public transport is to be converted to hydrogen-powered buses and trains. And trucks used for freight transport are also to be powered by hydrogen in the future.

Hydrogen is also used in steel production. Here, the carbon used so far is used by hydrogen for ore reduction in the blast furnace. This will not only make the industry less dependent on finite raw materials such as coal, but will also reduce the emission of environmentally harmful CO2.

It is important to distinguish that hydrogen is not an energy source but an energy carrier! Thus hydrogen is also used in fuel cells. Here, hydrogen reacts with oxygen to produce electricity and heat. It can therefore be assumed that in the future we will encounter more and more fuel cell heating systems which ensure that we have it warm and cosy at home.

But hydrogen can also be used for the opposite effect. Due to its high heat capacity, hydrogen is very well suited as a coolant and cryogen.

Furthermore, for several years now, work has been underway to produce gasoline, diesel and heating oil artificially with the help of hydrogen.

Zwick and

Hydrogen

 

Zwick has been manufacturing reliable and durable butterfly valves for decades
which are suitable for:

  • demanding industries, whether gaseous or liquid
  • Temperature ranges from -215°C – +815°C
  • A wide range of chemical and petrochemical processes

To understand why our valves are particularly well suited for use with hydrogen, one should take a closer look at two essential properties of hydrogen:

1) Hydrogen is colorless, odorless and tasteless and it reacts flammable to explosive in combination with atmospheric oxygen. This can be a very dangerous combination, as the escape of hydrogen cannot be perceived with the human senses. Our triple eccentric butterfly valves are 100%* tight both internally and externally according to international test specifications!

2) Hydrogen atoms have the disadvantage that they can embrittle metals which can lead to dangerous instability. Metal alloys with a nickel content of 10% – 30% show only very low embrittlement in contact with hydrogen. Of course we can supply our butterfly valves in alloys with a corresponding nickel content.

Your safety is important to us!

Our service for
your satisfaction:

 

  • InHouse Training
  • webinars
  • repair service
  • Selection and installation of automation systems
  • Maintenance and acceptance

HIGH

STANDARDS

VALVES

 

Our products must meet the highest requirements. With the certification according to DIN EN ISO 9001 the striving for quality awareness is not finished. Only the highest quality standard guarantees the equally high technical level of ZWICK.

DIN EN ISO 9001

Defines the requirements for a quality management system.

 

TA LUFT I + II

First general administrative regulation on the Federal Immission Control Act.

 

FIRE SAFE API 607 (5TH AND 6TH ED.)

Testing of valves – Requirements for type testing for fire safety.

 

FIRE SAFE BS 6755

Testing of valves – Requirements for type testing for fire safety.

 

Fire Safe gem. / acc. to DIN EN ISO 10497

CE-KENNZEICHNUNG

Compliance with all essential health and safety requirements.

 

2014/68/EU

Directive with requirements for pressure equipment according to module H of 2014/68/EU.

 

ISO 15848-1: 2006 / ISO15848-1: 2015

 

SIL 1-3

 

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