Green Hydrogen
Green hydrogen is coming to the forefront as a highly efficient source of clean energy. As a driving force of the energy revolution, green hydrogen – made from 100% renewable energy – is another tool in quest to reduce global emissions, and studies suggest that the demand for hydrogen will be rising over the next several decades.
Storage and Transport-friendly with AFM 34 Material
Green hydrogen could be the climate-neutral solution for energy-intensive production processes and transport services. Production, storage, and transport necessitate a secure seal of the production facilities and flanges. Hydrogen isa gas with a small molecular size and high diffusibility, and AFM 34 – the Victor Reinz brand’s most successful gasket material – serves as a robust solution to seal off hydrogen.
Convincing Test Results with AFM 34 and Hydrogen
Based on aramide fiber, the AFM 34 material has met all the important safety approvals and can be used for a wide range of media. Trials carried out according to DIN EN 13555 have confirmed the performance values of the universal gasket material in contact with hydrogen.
Success in the Leakage Test
As standard procedure, the leakage test under DIN EN 13555 is conducted with helium. This presented Dana’s gasket designers with the question of how the material will perform with hydrogen. The result: the leakage rates of helium and hydrogen are entirely comparable, especially in the crucial surface pressure range of 30 to 50 megapascals (MPa). Under increasing surface pressure, the leakage rate with hydrogen is even lower than that of helium. Tests with varying pressures confirm the comparability of results with helium and hydrogen.
Chemical Reactions Negative
Molecularhydrogen (H2) and high-grade soft gaskets made of aramide fiber are chemically unreactive – meaning H2 and AFM react negligibly within operational temperature limits. The chemical resistance to hydrogen of the AFM material has already set the benchmark in the chemical industry for years.
Immune to Material Fatigue
Hydrogen can have a harmful effect on metals. Hydrogen embrittlement causes corrosion, resulting in material fatigue and cracks forming; however, the AFM-34 variant AFM 34 CO ME with metallic inner flange is unaffected by hydrogen due to the use of chrome nickel stainless steel.
Hydrogen and AFM 34 – a Top Team
With its AFM gasket materials AFM 34 and AFM 34 CO ME, Dana has a sealing solutionfor hydrogen applications that’s proven to be highly effective. Its excellent leakage rates tried and tested chemical resistance, and high blow-outresistance make AFM 34 the ideal H2 gasket material. Since the development of the metallic bipolar plate for fuel-cell stacks, Dana and the Victor Reinz brand have proven themselves once again to be a dependable partner – this time for the key technology hydrogen.