Hydrogen has been a part of the history of energy and transport for centuries. Its unique properties of being light, storable, and being a rich source of energy that produces zero direct emissions of any pollutants or greenhouse gasses in its greenest form, means that hydrogen is viewed by many as playing a key role in the journey towards a carbon neutral world.
Energy expert Dr Faith Birol has stated that “hydrogen is today enjoying unprecedented momentum. The world should not miss this unique chance to make hydrogen an important part of our clean and secure energy future.” The number of countries with policies that directly support the investment in hydrogen is increasing, along with the number of sectors those policies target, growing from just transportation investment into further areas including industry and manufacturing, meaning that more business could benefit from thinking greener and investing in hydrogen.
Hydrogen as a source of power has many potential uses, including steel production in industry, powering cars and trains in transport, and as a store for renewable energy in power generation. Global demand for hydrogen would need to double to 22 million mt by 2030 in order to reach the target of net zero. However, all current reports predict that there will be a steady growth in the demand of hydrogen until at least 2030, meaning that a carbon neutral world is becoming a possibility.
Further, demand for renewables is increasing, as nations around the globe work towards fulfilling the parameters of the Paris Agreement to limit Global Warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius in order to see a climate neutral world by approximately 2050. At COP26, 120 world leaders gathered together in order to begin the process of fulfilling the terms of the Paris Agreement, and reducing global climate change. To meet this goal, there needs to be a consolidated move away from reliance on fossil fuels and towards greener, more carbon neutral, alternatives, which is where hydrogen can help.
Hydrogen has a working pressure of upwards of 700 bar (or 10,000 psi) as it has a lower energy content than natural gas and, therefore, needs a higher pressure to ensure sufficient energy and power output. Therefore, you need your handling solution to be safely manufactured, tested and certified before you put highly pressurised hydrogen through it. Orbital Fabrications is an expert in manufacturing custom gas handling systems, and is perfectly suited to address demands of managing high pressure hydrogen safely and securely when it is being generated, stored, and delivered to be utilised as a fuel source.
Orbital Fabrications is an expert in orbital welding, which is needed in high pressure hydrogen scenarios due to the thick walled tubing necessary to contain it. Orbital welding ensures a secure and clean joint in the tubing, offering full weld penetration around the entire circumference of the joint. Further, orbital welding is clean, oxide free and high purity. Orbital Fabrications provide a system leak testing service, using a helium mass spectrometer which provides incredibly sensitive leak detections rates to ppm level.
Orbital Fabrications has over 30 years’ experience in orbital welding services, and is an industry expert in stainless steel TIG welding. Our experienced team can weld tubing to fabricate components for the aerospace, pharmaceutical and oil & gas industries. We are committed to continuous investment in specialist equipment and innovative machinery that enables us to manufacture high quality modules and complete system builds using stainless steel and high nickel alloys for one off fabrication, prototyping, and batch work through to continuous manufacturing volume production. Our engineering know-how and advanced manufacturing capabilities allows us to meet the ever changing demands of the sectors we supply. Whether it’s a full turnkey project solution, or a one-off fabrication, Orbital can assist. Contact Orbital Fabrications, the industry expert in orbital welding, today, and learn how we can provide a bespoke solutions for your high pressure hydrogen handling requirements.