From vision to reality: Empowering the hydrogen future with gas analysis

Hydrogen is often hailed as the fuel of the low-carbon future. It only produces water vapour when burned. It’s the lowest-cost option for storing renewable electricity. It can replace fossil fuels in difficult-to-decarbonise industries. Plus, it offers a profitable use for carbon capture and utilisation (CCUS). As a result, global production is expected to surge six-fold in the next 25 years, reaching 125-585 Mt per annum (Mtpa). However, realising this ambition faces significant operational challenges. A new level of accuracy is needed to make it possible.

Hydrogen’s inherent qualities make it complex. The gas has a very low flashpoint of -43°C, necessitating strict safety measures including leak detection and inerting systems. Its low volumetric energy density also poses storage and transport challenges unless it's compressed or liquefied. Many applications, like fuel cells, demand extremely high purity levels (often exceeding 99.97%), as trace contaminants can significantly impact performance.

High-accuracy, continuous gas analysers that can detect trace levels are needed to meet these demands. While continuous monitoring systems provide real-time data for process optimisation, quality control, and regulatory compliance.

Servomex have been pioneering cutting-edge solutions that redefine precision for over 70 years and don’t just have the advanced analysers needed to seize the hydrogen opportunity but are already helping customers make it happen.

A groundbreaking project wanted to utilise a giga-scale hydrogen plant powered entirely by renewable energy sources. The gas would replace coke as the reduction agent.

To optimise production, the plant used the SERVOTOUGH SpectraExact 2500F analysers to measure the concentration of impurities in hydrogen while SERVOTOUGH Oxy 1900 analysers provided stable and reliable oxygen measurements to ensure process safety and efficiency.

This solution seamlessly combined with the facility’s wider systems for comprehensive gas monitoring and analysis. This green steelmaking plant is now operational and is projected to reduce 300 million tonnes of CO2 emissions by 2040.

The SERVOTOUGH SpectraExact 2500F and Oxy 1900 are part of a new generation of analysers. They're designed for flexibility, including easy integration with digital communication for cost-effective remote control. But they're still built for tough hazardous environments, with the 2500F working in corrosive, toxic, and flammable conditions. These high-performing analysers support the evolving needs of the hydrogen economy and the changing priorities of the petrochemical industry.