Element invests in hydrogen capabilities

This substantial investment will enable Element to meet the increasing demand from its customers who are transitioning to cleaner energy solutions and utilising hydrogen throughout various product life cycles and systems. These efforts complement Element's existing services, encompassing areas such as digital modelling and simulation; support for carbon capture utilisation and storage projects (CCUS), the development of aerospace and transportation fuel tanks and systems, and the establishment of pipeline and storage facilities for the energy sector.

To bolster its capabilities, Element has developed specialised static and dynamic fracture mechanics equipment for its laboratories in the UK and Europe. This equipment enables hydrogen testing at pressures of up to 100 barg, frequencies below 1Hz, and at cryogenic temperatures of up to -269°C, in a variety of test frame configurations. These capabilities are strategically positioned to serve the UK and European market and support global pipeline infrastructures during the energy transition, to understand fracture mechanics and the impact of hydrogen. The equipment will be utilised to assess hydrogen infrastructure and storage systems under different in-situ temperatures and pressures.

At Element's Malvern, UK, facility, 11 chambers conduct electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) testing to ensure the seamless operation of complex electronic components in modern vehicles. Recently, Element has upgraded its large equipment chamber with safety systems to test hydrogen-fuelled vehicles and other equipment utilising hydrogen as fuel, catering to customers entering this emerging market.

Element's recent acquisition of Filton Systems Engineering (FSE), an aerospace engineering and testing services business, further enhances and complements these hydrogen-related offerings. Filton, with its team of 50 experts, brings expertise in gaseous and liquid hydrogen, supported by a dedicated facility in Kemble, UK, featuring an in-house-designed liquefaction plant. This complements the acquisition of NTS Laboratories in the US last year, which has a dedicated hydrogen facility in San Bernardino, California that was previously used to support the space market with fluid flows and liquid hydrogen.

A dedicated hydrogen team has been established at Element, comprising experts in fuel cells, infrastructure, electrolysers, cryogenics, process, and functional safety. Working across a variety of market sectors for hydrogen, they are situated to coordinate services across Element's laboratories worldwide. This team, in conjunction with the skills and capabilities of FSE, forms a wealth of knowledge and experience that can be applied to customer projects related to hydrogen, carbon capture, and infrastructure transition – across the full value chain and product life cycles.

Read the article online at: https://www.globalhydrogenreview.com/hydrogen/14112023/element-invests-in-hydrogen-capabilities/