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Hydrogen

Swagelok helps hydrogen producers, energy companies, hydrogen infrastructure developers, and vehicle OEMs scale production and tackle hydrogen containment and distribution challenges.

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Hydrogen

High-Integrity Solutions for an Evolving Market

hydrogen iconThe hydrogen energy market is evolving rapidly as the world seeks zero-emission options. Hydrogen producers, alternative energy companies, hydrogen infrastructure developers, vehicle OEMs, and others exploring the next frontier of clean energy technologies are scaling production while tackling the unique challenges of hydrogen containment and transfer. Fluid system components that deliver optimum levels of safety, reliability, and performance are needed.  Finding reliable options can be challenging because:

  • Small-molecule hydrogen gas can escape from even the smallest connection gaps, leading to leaks and safety concerns
  • High-containment pressures (up to 1050 bar [15 229 psi]) require high-performance components where traditional options simply are not suitable
  • Hydrogen embrittlement and degradation can impact critical system components, compromising the materials’ integrity and potentially leading to failures

Swagelok can help you overcome these challenges and more. We not only provide critical fluid system components, such as fittings designed specifically for hydrogen containment but also materials science expertise and expert engineering assistance. With a complete suite of products and services for hydrogen applications, we can help you build solutions more quickly, easily, and reliably.

Hydrogen Applications

From production to distribution to storage to mobility, we support the fast-growing hydrogen energy industry with fluid system solutions for:

Hydrogen

  • Electrolyzers
  • Microgrids
  • Fuel cells
  • Virtual pipelines/tube trailers
  • Refueling stations (infrastructure)
  • ICE (Internal Combustion Engines)/FCEV systems
  • Dispensers and priority panels
  • Analyzer and sampling systems

hydrogen molecules

Contact a fluid system specialist

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Solutions for Hydrogen Production

Generating Truly Green Energy

Achieving hydrogen’s potential as an energy source starts at the beginning. The electrolysis process—which breaks water into hydrogen and oxygen using sustainably generated electricity—requires high-integrity fluid system components that reliably transfer hydrogen and oxygen to their next destination in the production process.

  • High-quality materials help ensure that all critical components maintain their integrity to resist the inherent challenges of hydrogen containment
  • Readily available parts and prefabricated system applications for quick scalability can help hydrogen producers stay nimble and meet the growing demand for hydrogen power
  • Leak-tight containment of small-molecule gases for system integrity across a broad range of process instrumentation further promotes improved safety, efficiency, and profitability

We offer a broad range of solutions for hydrogen electrolysis and fuel cell applications, made from the highest-quality materials. And we can help you maintain efficient production with specialized knowledge and local service.

 

Featured Content

 

Solutions for Hydrogen Distribution and Infrastructure

Designing Leak-tight Systems for Long Service Life 

Getting cleanly produced hydrogen to end-use applications involves a closely linked chain of processing, storage, distribution, and transmission equipment. Across physical and virtual hydrogen pipelines, high levels of fluid system performance are a necessity.

  • Achieving desirable energy density in storage and transport necessitates high-pressure storage and containment, requiring components that can handle pressures up to 1050 bar (15 229 psi) 
  • Leak-tight transfer is critical to maintaining profitability, reliability, and safety as hydrogen moves throughout the pipeline
  • Ease of installation and local service are key to quickly ramping up infrastructure as developers seek to maximize the opportunity of hydrogen as an energy source

We offer the solutions you need to reliably distribute hydrogen, including a complete suite of high-performance products along with custom or standard preassembled systems. And we can apply our specialized knowledge to help you accelerate the development of important hydrogen microgrids and distribution infrastructure.

 

 

Solutions for Hydrogen Compression and Refueling

Create Safe, High-Integrity Solutions

Reliable infrastructure is vital as hydrogen usage scales up to handle increasing demand. Applications like compressors, storage cylinders, priority panels, pressure control devices, and dispensers that deliver hydrogen need the highest-quality componentry.

  • Components and connections must be able to withstand rapidly-changing temperatures and resist vibration during dispensing cycles without experiencing any form of degradation
  • Rapidly scaling hydrogen infrastructure requires the ability to quickly design and assemble complex systems safely and consistently
  • Ultimately, refueling stations must enable any end user to operate a dispenser with minimal risk

Our complete portfolio of fluid system products will help ensure your standards are upheld on every installation.

 
hydrogen compression and refueling

Swagelok supports hydrogen compression and refueling with:

 

Solutions for Hydrogen Mobility

Durable Performance for Heavy-Duty Vehicles

Hydrogen fuel cell technology has demonstrated major promise for heavy-duty vehicle applications. Reliable performance requires systems built with components that can withstand the unique demands of on-road use.

Swagelok hydrogen vehicle solutions are engineered and built for:

  • Uncompromising vibration resistance that is essential for critical connections in hydrogen fuel systems
  • Ease of installation that helps OEMs keep new vehicles moving down the production line efficiently
  • Fast and reliable delivery in support of just-in-time production strategies

On-vehicle solutions from Swagelok—ranging from individual components to complete custom assemblies—deliver on these needs and more. Select solutions have demonstrated the specific performance characteristics to meet the required EC-79 and HGV 3.1 certification for use in hydrogen vehicles and are accepted in the International Material Data System (IMDS).

 

 

proper materials for LNG/CNG mobility applications  
 

Get the Right Materials

Don’t Risk Your Reputation with the Wrong Alloys

Our products are made of alloys with at least two (often up to ten) different elements in optimized formulas to deliver superior corrosion resistance.

Hydrogen mobility and transportation applications have unique operational demands. Only the highest grades of stainless steel can resist the introduction and diffusion of hydrogen molecules into the material. Swagelok® 316 stainless steel is specifically formulated to overcome hydrogen embrittlement with enhanced strength and corrosion resistance.

  • Lesser-quality stainless steels with low nickel and chromium content are more susceptible to on-road corrosion and hydrogen embrittlement.
  • Elastomeric components must be considered in the materials selection process for the critical role they play in reliable operation and chemical compatibility.

We’ll help you specify the proper materials for fuel systems, tube trailers, hydrogen infrastructure panels, and dispensing systems. With a deep understanding of the factors that contribute to corrosion, we simplify the selection process.

Resource Center

Hydrogen containment solutions video

Hydrogen Containment Solutions

Learn how AVL, one of the world’s leading mobility technology companies providing concepts, solutions, and methodologies for greener mobility, works to contain hydrogen with the help of Swagelok fluid system solutions.

hydrogen fitting infographic

Infographic: Anatomy of a Hydrogen Fitting

Discover the importance of uncompromising performance in fittings that join critical parts of high-pressure hydrogen fuel systems. Higher-performing fitting technology is available today to provide such performance.

hydrogen facts vs. hydrogen myths

Infographic: “Myths of the H2 Economy”

View this infographic that dispels hydrogen myths. There are four common myths about hydrogen worth reconsidering, as well as related facts about hydrogen’s viability as a fuel source.

hydrogen fitting white paper

Hydrogen Vehicle Refueling—Anatomy of a Hydrogen Fitting

Rapid thermal and pressure changes can negatively impact the performance of hydrogen fittings. In this white paper, learn about the specific fitting design characteristics that make for ideal performance.

Select the right hydrogen valves for your application

Blog: What to Look For in Hydrogen Valves

Swagelok offers a wide range of valves suitable for hydrogen service, along with a complete portfolio of additional components that can help make your hydrogen systems safer and more reliable. Our hydrogen specialists are happy to help you choose wisely.

advanced fitting technology hydrogen transportation

Blog: On the Frontier of Hydrogen Transportation

Find out how advanced fitting technology helps the Swiss government improve hydrogen fuel cell vehicles and promote clean mobility.

Hydrogen fueling station

Blog: Optimizing Component Selection for Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles

The success of hydrogen transportation depends on specifying and selecting reliable components with the performance characteristics to last in challenging applications. Learn how to select ideal components here.

Swagelok valve selection

Blog: Valves 101: Basic Functions and Types

Fluid system design can be complex, requiring many considerations. It may not always be readily apparent which valve is right for your application. Do you need to stop and start flow? Or control the flow direction or flow level? Our experts answer some of the most common questions.

Everfuel is Paving the Way for Green Hydrogen Production

Blog: How Everfuel Is Paving the Way for Green Hydrogen Production

Read how Everfuel, with assistance from Swagelok Denmark and others, has picked up the challenge of “making hydrogen happen.”

Video: Building Reliable Hydrogen Fuel Cell Systems

Video: Building Reliable Hydrogen Fuel Cell Systems

Learn about efforts to supply EC-79-certified Swagelok products to Luxfer Gas Cylinders as our customer pursues business opportunities with European bus manufacturers.

n this step-by-step video, you’ll learn how to assemble Swagelok FK Series medium-pressure tube fittings.

Video: How to Assemble Swagelok® FK Series Tube Fittings

In this step-by-step video, you’ll learn how to assemble Swagelok FK Series medium-pressure tube fittings. Compared to traditional cone and thread fittings, FK Series fittings provide increased reliability and simplified, faster installation.

Video: Swagelok Tube Fitting Installation

Video: Swagelok® Tube Fitting Installation

Learn the three steps to installing tube fittings from Swagelok, as well as two mistakes you should always avoid. In just a little time, you can learn practical skills that contribute to years of leak-tight performance from your fluid systems.