H2Tech - Q4 2022 - 10

TECHNOLOGY SPOTLIGHT
HYDROGEN
PRODUCTION
New technologies
for green H2
purification
and with minimal precious metal
content in the catalyst. Additionally,
BASF Sorbead adsorption provides
several advantages for green H2
applications, including a minimal
energy footprint vs. alternative
materials, reliability, simple operation,
high capacity for water and lower
regeneration temperatures vs. activated
alumina or molecular sieves, as well
a long life, operational turndown
flexibility and immediate on-spec
gas at startup.
According to BASF, green H2
is a
Shell and BASF have collaborated
to evaluate and de-risk BASF's Puristar®
R0-20 and Sorbead® adsorption
technologies for use in green H2
production. The two technologies purify
and dehydrate the product H2
stream
from the water electrolysis process,
which can then be used for liquefaction
and transportation, as an energy source
or chemical feedstock. According
to BASF, the Puristar and Sorbead
technologies are in Shell's portfolio
for potential use in Shell's global
green H2
projects.
that can remove trace oxygen from
the H2
Puristar R0-20 is a versatile catalyst
stream following electrolysis.
Sorbead adsorption technology
provides a low-energy solution for H2
dehydration to reliably achieve low
water outlet specifications.
The H2
product stream from water
electrolysis contains water and remnant
oxygen, which are impurities that
must be removed prior to downstream
processing or utilization of the H2
. First,
the Puristar R0-20 catalyst removes
the oxygen by converting it to water in
the DeOxo unit. After the DeOxo step,
Sorbead adsorption technology is used
to dehydrate the H2
.
Following the purification, the H2
can be used as an energy source or
chemical feedstock. Through recent
research and development and pilot
activities, BASF has created a new
DeOxo design tool that focused
specifically on optimizing DeOxo
units operating downstream of an
electrolyzer. This new modeling tool
allows for the design of smaller DeOxo
vessels, providing capital and operating
expenditure benefits to the project.
According to BASF, Puristar R0-20
catalyst operates at low temperatures
10 Q4 2022 | H2-Tech.com
Fluid Components International
(FCI) has launched the ST series
thermal flowmeters as rugged
flowmeter solutions useful for engineers
and plant operators responsible
for producing, using, dispensing or
distributing H2
gas. The H2
-calibrated
flowmeters provide a range of products
for varying pipe diameters and virtually
any installation conditions and require
no routine maintenance.
H2
-calibrated thermal mass
flowmeters are well suited to meet
the conditions of these applications.
Thermal mass flowmeters work based
on the principles of heat transfer. H2
has a very high heat transfer rate and
to measure it with high accuracy and
repeatability, a thermal flowmeter
should be calibrated in actual H2
.
Applying theoretical gas equivalency
equations to " correct " readings for
major component in achieving the
common goals of the two companies
towards net-zero emissions, and the
de-risking of Puristar R0-20 and
Sorbead adsorption technologies
is an important step in the process.
EQUIPMENT
Thermal mass flowmeters
for H2
H2
measurement
S. SHARMA, Technical Editor
H2 is simply inadequate and
ineffective for this gas.
FCI's ST series thermal flowmeters
are calibrated under custom
installation conditions in H2
to achieve
accuracy and repeatability in their
intended application. The direct mass
flow measurement and inherently
multivariable systems provide both
flow and temperature outputs. Thermal
mass flowmeters, designed without
moving parts, also virtually eliminate
wear, breakage and maintenance.
The ST series has a wide selection
of process connections, including
compression fittings, NPT male and
female threaded connections, flanges,
ball valves, hot taps and more to ensure
installation site compatibility.
The ST family offers solutions from
small, compact meters with basic
4-20mA analog output to featureenhanced
versions with multiple 4-20mA
outputs; digital bus communications
such as HART, Modbus, Foundation
Fieldbus and Profibus; in-situ calibration;
self-checks; and on-board data logging,
among others. Furthermore, all FCI ST
series H2
flowmeters measure direct
mass flow, carry global agency
approvals for installation in
Division 1/Zone 1 environments,
and offer superior ruggedness and
long-life with NEMA 4X/IP 67 rated
low-copper content aluminum or
316 stainless-steel enclosures.
Standard turndowns of 100:1
and flow ranges from 0.25 standard ft/
sec-1,000 standard ft/sec (0.07 normal
m/sec-305 normal m/sec) ensure
their application versatility. The ST's
transmitter/electronics can be integrally
mounted with the flow body or may be
remotely mounted up to 1,000 ft
(305 m) away. They are available
in either DC- or AC-powered versions.
Their readout/display options include
basic flowrate and totalizer to a
best-in-class multivariable digital/
graphic backlighted LCD with FCI's
exclusive through-the-glass activated
4-button array.
In H2
applications with limited
straight-runs and/or for operating
in transitional flow ranges that
can adversely affect accuracy and
repeatability, ST series flowmeters
are also optionally available with
and calibration-matched to Vortab®
flow conditioners to ensure
installed performance.
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H2Tech - Q4 2022

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