Maintenance and Reliability

As engineers design H₂ production facilities, they must focus on creating well-constructed fluid systems to ensure peak performance of the plant. In fact, effective fluid systems can significantly influence the safety, productivity and profitability of H₂ production facilities. 

From an operational perspective, the basic function of a compressor control system is to provide startup and shutdown sequencing, operational and process control, human-machine interfacing and monitoring, and equipment safety alarms and shutdowns.

Demand for H₂ has soared, and there are no signs that it will slow down. Ensuring pipelines and infrastructure are up to the challenge must be a top priority in the near-term.

For nearly seven decades, H₂ generation has predominantly been the domain of the fertilizer and petroleum industries. The fertilizer industry drove commercial production due to nitrogenous fertilizers being made from ammonia (NH₃) directly synthesized from H₂ and nitrogen.

A powerful distributed control system that is connected with homogeneous smart devices and Internet of Things technologies provides assistance by bringing complex, variable data into one place.

Nations around the world are investing in new technologies and pathways to limit carbon emissions and adhere to ambitious net-zero goals. Part of this strategy includes the massive scale-up of hydrogen production capacity, primarily green routes that use renewable energy for production.

Bipolar plates are essential components of proton exchange membrane, solid oxide, molten carbonate, direct methanol and phosphoric acid fuel cells.

Enhancing the energy efficiency of existing assets via modernization has proven to be one of the fastest ways to reduce a facility’s emissions profile incrementally. Modernization projects can have a positive impact, with many delivering CO₂ reductions at costs as low as €10/t–€30/t.

The recent results of the Accelerated Energy Decarbonization Scenario (AEDS) provide valuable insights into the future of H₂ as an energy vector. The results of the AEDS indicate that H₂ has the potential to play a significant role in meeting future energy needs.

The August H₂Tech Tech Spotlight explores technological advances in H₂ technology, such as an electrolyzer module to optimize the design and maximize the efficiency of H₂ production units, bipolar plates, advanced H₂ sealing materials and equipment to introduce green H₂ in the gas transmission network.

While other industries are amid digital transformations, the H₂ ecosystem is a greenfield that can begin operations with transformative technologies in place. They empower people, optimize processes and automate systems to enhance business performance across the enterprise.