To further enable the use of hydrogen as a fuel source around the globe, Swagelok has announced two new components engineered for safe and efficient operation in hydrogen refuelling stations. The Swagelok® ramp regulator provides controlled pressure during refuelling, while the Swagelok® FK series hydrogen check valve delivers unidirectional flow and shut-off of small-molecule gases, preventing reverse flow.
"In a world increasingly seeking to decarbonise, hydrogen has shown great promise, and the expanding hydrogen refuelling station market is expected to keep growing over the next decade," said Sarah Liston, Director of product management at Swagelok. "One challenge in building this infrastructure is that hydrogen escapes easily through the smallest gaps. We developed these products to address this and other hydrogen handling issues."
In the transportation marketplace, hydrogen must be stored at pressures in excess of 700 bar, and the rapid thermal and pressure changes at refuelling stations can impact system integrity. The Swagelok ramp regulator serves applications in accordance with SAE J2601 – the worldwide standard for hydrogen refuelling stations – and features a maximum allowable working pressure of 1050 bar inlet and 875 bar outlet. Its operating temperature range is -40° to 185°F (-40° to 85°C), and it can reach a 120 g/s hydrogen tank fill rate. An optional PID control unit will communicate with the dispenser to reach the required pressure control profile.
The Swagelok FK series hydrogen check valve also features a maximum allowable working pressure of 1050 bar and handles a temperature range of –40° to185°F (–40° to 85°C). With a high flow coefficient, all-metal body seal, and a spring that is isolated from the flow path to increase its service life, it has passed third-party hydrogen testing per ISO-19880-3 and effectively prevents reverse flow when the differential drops below the fixed cracking pressure of < 2 bar. Swagelok's FK technology can install up to five times faster than cone and thread fittings, reducing installation time, assembly, and maintenance costs.
The Swagelok ramp regulator and FK series hydrogen check valve are available now. Swagelok also provides materials science expertise, engineering assistance, and components such as fittings designed explicitly for hydrogen containment.