Hydrogen offers an important alternative to fossil fuels on the road towards greenhouse gas neutrality. Two process steps are of key significance here: the production and storage of hydrogen. Power-to-X refers to the storage and use of excess electricity that is generated from renewable energy sources. Amongst other things, this includes the production of green hydrogen which arises through the conversion of renewable electricity.
The applications for hydrogen are highly diverse. In addition to direct use, hydrogen can be used in industry for the production of ammonia or methanol, or used in steelworks or refineries. As well as industrial applications, green hydrogen plays a major role in particular in the decarbonization of the energy sector and in mobility. Sector coupling is therefore considered a key concept for the energy revolution.
Most hydrogen is obtained nowadays from fossil fuels, for example, through the steam reforming of natural gas. The aim is to progressively step away from what is referred to as "gray hydrogen". CCS (Carbon Capture and Storage) can at least prevent CO2 from being released into the atmosphere.
However, since only green hydrogen is CO2 free and therefore climate-neutral, politicians and industry are focusing on hydrogen production using electrolysis – during which water is broken down using electric current – over the long term.
There are also different approaches for hydrogen storage and refueling since there are a few challenges with the handling of hydrogen and the specific properties need to be considered. In comparison to many hydrocarbons, hydrogen has a low volumetric energy density, which is why hydrogen must be heavily compressed or liquefied for storage.
müller coax offers solutions for different technologies across the entire hydrogen value chain: hydrogen production, storage, transport, hydrogen refueling, test rigs or applications in industry.
Our customers are impressed in particular by the exclusive use of hydrogen-resistant materials and the tightness of coax® valves.
We work very closely with our customers in developing or evolving new technologies and confront current as well as future challenges.
The lateral high-pressure valves, in which the valve drive is positioned on the side, are used wherever high pressures of up to 500 bar at a high flow rate are controlled. The high-pressure valves are available either with a magnetic or pneumatic drive. Amongst other applications, the valves are used in refueling processes or in high-pressure test rigs.
The coaxial high-pressure valves are specially designed for high-pressure applications of up to 400 bar. They impress due to their compact design. In addition to the high-pressure range, cryogenic media down to -196°C can also be controlled with the KB series. Coaxial high-pressure valves are used in hydrogen refueling or fuel cell drives, amongst other things.
The coaxial valves are used in applications of up to a maximum of 100 bar. Direct acting and externally controlled valves are available to our customers. Different designs in terms of materials, seals, connections, and other options make the coax® valves supremely flexible. The customer obtains a valve which is perfectly customized to the requirements. Among other applications, coaxial valves are used in the production of hydrogen by means of electrolysis or pressure swing adsorption as well as test rigs or in industry.
