Hydrogen Transport

Transporting hydrogen is technically demanding. Not only because hydrogen reacts explosively with oxygen above a certain mixing ratio, but also because it must be compressed for transport. Gas pressure regulating and metering equipment (GDRMA) regulates and measures the pressure of the hydrogen for further transport, therefore ensuring that neither negative nor positive pressure occurs. 

Due to the risk of explosion, a variety of Pepperl+Fuchs products designed for hazardous areas are suitable for these systems. For example, the 6000 Series purge and pressurization system can reliably protect hydrogen analysis equipment from explosive atmospheres. Various interface modules from Pepperl+Fuchs are an ideal solution for safe signal transmission and protection against overvoltage in the control cabinet of the GDRMA. A terminal box from the SR series ensures intrinsically safe distribution of the signals. To prevent overvoltage directly at the field device, surge protection modules from Pepperl+Fuchs are also used. In addition, inductive sensors provide position feedback at the valves of the gas pressure control and measuring equipment.

If hydrogen is transported on a gas tanker, explosion protection must also be ensured. The Pepperl+Fuchs product portfolio for hazardous areas offers a range of solutions for hydrogen transport by sea. For example, the FB remote I/O system, installed in an SR Series enclosure, is ideally suited for connecting the field signals on the ship. For reliable control of the crane on the gas tanker, a flanged Ex de solution is available, combining an enclosure in the "flameproof enclosure" (Ex d) type of protection with the advantages of the "increased safety" (Ex e) type of protection. This means that components not suitable for the hazardous area can also be used safely on the gas tanker for crane control, while certified operating elements are easily accessible in the Ex e enclosure.