The transition from fossil fuels to renewable energies must succeed in order to achieve the goal of net zero. Sustainably produced hydrogen is therefore playing an increasingly important role in energy-intensive production facilities such as in the chemical, steel or cement industries. Manufacturing the gas with electricity from renewable resources is paramount, but it must also be as efficient as possible and, above all, safe. With our many years of experience in the field of gas processing and our automation solutions for the production, infrastructure and use of hydrogen, we provide you with support along the entire value chain.
VTUG with plug-in and fieldbus connection Amazingly simple, highly modular and flexible with fielbus connection CTEU. It has never been easier to connect fieldbuses to valve terminals like the VTUG, and never easier to change the fieldbus type: attach the fieldbus node and you´re done! It can also be easily expanded into a small installation system.
Hydrogen is used both as an energy source and as a chemical raw material in industry. Applications range from steel production and metal processing through to chemical and refinery processes, and energy supply. Green hydrogen is gaining in importance because it replaces fossil fuels and reduces CO₂ emissions. This makes it a key element of the industrial energy transition.
Green hydrogen is produced by electrolysis: water is split into hydrogen and oxygen using electricity from renewable sources. This process is emission-free and supports the decarbonization of electricity, heat, and mobility. Scaling is crucial for industrial use, as large quantities are required. Automation solutions ensure that electrolysis plants can be operated efficiently, safely, and with consistent quality.
In addition to the high costs of production and infrastructure, safe handling is a key factor, as hydrogen is extremely flammable. Storage and transportation also require special technology and materials. Companies must also ensure that international norms and safety standards are met. Automation helps to reduce these risks and make processes reliable.
Automation is the key to making hydrogen processes safe, efficient, and economical. It enables precise control in sensitive processes such as electrolysis, compression, or refueling. Valve manifolds, sensors, and control technology reduce risks, ensure consistent quality, and simplify the scaling of systems. This allows projects to be implemented faster, operating costs to be reduced, and systems to be flexibly adapted to new requirements.
Integrating hydrogen into existing systems requires technical adaptations and the use of suitable components. Flexible automation solutions play a central role here because they complement existing control and process landscapes without the need to set up completely new infrastructures. Modular valve manifolds offer the possibility of integrating hydrogen step by step – from pilot projects to large-scale industrial plants. This allows companies to enter the technology safely and in a scalable manner.
Different certifications apply to hydrogen equipment depending on the area of application. They ensure that components work reliably and safely in demanding industrial environments. Important examples are:
Hydrogen is highly flammable and therefore requires special safety measures. Relevant standards relate to both materials and process monitoring. They include:
Valve manifolds help to reduce the complexity of automation processes, while at the same time making systems more flexible and safer. The most important advantages are:
Yes, valve manifolds are suitable for use in hydrogen systems if they are specially designed for these requirements. With the right materials, functions and certifications, they can be safely integrated into electrolysis systems or other production steps. There, they take on control tasks, increase process reliability, and enable efficient processes. As a result, they not only support reliable operation, but also the scalability of green hydrogen projects.