Hydrogen

Gas Measurements for Better Quality and Process Safety

Hydrogen is rapidly emerging as a pivotal solution in the global quest for decarbonization of our energy requirements. As one of the most abundant elements on Earth, hydrogen provides a versatile and efficient energy source and intermediary for a range of applications.

At PST, we specialize in designing and manufacturing state-of-the-art analyzer systems to measure oxygen and moisture within hydrogen applications.

We Know Your Challenges

Hydrogen is a highly reactive element and demands precise monitoring, especially when it comes to the presence of oxygen and moisture, as even minute variations can have significant implications.

Precision, accuracy, and reliability are paramount, and that's where our solutions excel.

Chosen by Industry Leaders

Our instruments monitor hydrogen production processes such as Steam Methane Reforming (SMR), hydrogen generators or green hydrogen produced by electrolysis and offer protection from moisture contamination.

Other applications include controlling impurities in hydrogen cooled generators, metal treatment processes or hydrogen filling stations where our dew-point and trace moisture transmitters are suitable due to their high-pressure capability of over 900 bar.

Benefit From Our Expertise

Every hydrogen application is unique, and so are its analytical requirements. We offer standard and customized solutions, ensuring that your specific needs are met with precision.

From initial consultation to post-sales support, our dedicated team ensures that you have the best experience and derive maximum value from our products.

Electrolysis

Electrolysis

Methane Reforming

Methane Reforming

Purification

Purification

In today’s decarbonization of industries and the world’s energy supply, many existing and new technologies are being developed. Hydrogen was already an important component in many manufacturing processes, and it has now also become a fast-growing means for temporary energy storage. The entire supply chain of energy goes from renewable energy used to make green hydrogen to other processes like SMR + CCS and Pyrolysis processes making blue and turquoise hydrogen.

There are various routes, through specific purification steps, to the required quality for handling and usage. After purification, hydrogen can be stored, transported, and used in many applications, including conversion to electricity in fuel cells, filling stations, and direct combustion. It can also be used as a reductive agent in the steel and semi-conductor industry.

In all these processes, operational safety and quality are of utmost importance. Next to electronic and mechanical-based control systems, in almost all cases, gas measurements are key to achieving the desired and optimal results.

PST offers a wide variety of sampling and measurement technologies to cover most of the hydrogen industries. As well as high-quality instruments, analyzers, and transmitters for hydrogen gas measurements, PST can draw on 40 years of experience with multiple origins of different fully owned brands, each with its own specialty, combined into a very complete and fit-for-purpose portfolio.

Product Selector

Metal Production

Application/Service Purpose of Measurement Measured Gas/Background Gas Typical Range Recommended Product
Measurement of contaminants in hydrogen-rich furnace blanket gases used for metal heat treatment Maintain reducing properties of endothermic or forming gases N2/H2 or H2/N2/CO2 <-30Cwdp Easidew I.S.
Easidew PRO XP

Power Plants

Application/Service Purpose of Measurement Measured Gas/Background Gas Typical Range Recommended Product
Monitoring contaminants in hydrogen cooled electricity generators in power plants Detect potential flammable gas mixture due to air ingress leakage. Avoid risk of high voltage arching due to water condensation H2 %O2 and % H2 <-20˚Cwdp at 10 barg XTP601
XTC601
Easidew I.S.
Easidew PRO XP
ES20

Hydrogen in Natural Gas

Application/Service Purpose of Measurement Measured Gas/Background Gas Typical Range Recommended Product
Hydrogen in Natural Gas Concentration of H2 injected into natural gas distribution pipelines and storage Natural Gas/H2 %H2 in natural gas XTC601

Green Hydrogen Production

Application/Service Purpose of Measurement Measured Gas/Background Gas Typical Range Recommended Product
Monitoring of quality of green hydrogen produced in PEM electrolysers O2 and moisture levels Hydrogen Typically -70 °Cwdp at ~30 barg XTC601
Easidew PRO XP

Monitoring quality of UHP hydrogen produced by PEM electrolysers Ensuring UHP Hydrogen Grade 5 (99.999 % H2) or Grade 6 (99.9999 % H2) Essential measurements for H2 in fuel cell applications:

Ar-O2-N2-CH4-CO-CO2-NMHC-H2O: 0-10ppm
Sulfurs: 0-500ppb
Ammonia: 0-1000ppb
Formaldehyde: 0-500ppb
Formic acid: 0-1000ppb
Halogenated: 0-1000ppb
Helium: 0-1000ppm
Other ranges available on request
Grade 5: 0-10 ppm
Grade 6: 0-1 ppm
HyDetek

Fuel Cells

Application/Service Purpose of Measurement Measured Gas/Background Gas Typical Range Recommended Product
Monitoring of the quality of hydrogen delivered to fuel cells Prevent contamination and ensure quality Hydrogen Trace moisture, O2 and other impurities QMA601
Promet EExd
Promet I.S.
XTC601
Easidew PRO XP
Easidew PRO I.S.
Easidew I.S.
MultiDetek 3
LDetek MultiDetek3 EX
HyDetek

Hydrogen Filling Stations

Application/Service Purpose of Measurement Measured Gas/Background Gas Typical Range Recommended Product
Measurement of hydrogen quality sold to user Quality assurance to ISO14687 Part 2, prevent contamination by moisture and other trace impurities Hydrogen < 1ppmV, 350 and 700 barg Easidew PRO XP
Easidew PRO I.S.

Hydrogen Generation Plants

Application/Service Purpose of Measurement Measured Gas/Background Gas Typical Range Recommended Product
Steam methane reforming syngas plants; Methanol cracking plants; Hydrogen purification plants Hydrogen purity measurement Hydrogen Trace moisture, O2 and other impurities QMA601
Promet EExd
Promet I.S.
XTC601
Easidew PRO XP
Easidew PRO I.S.
Easidew I.S.
MultiDetek 3
LDetek MultiDetek3 EX
HyDetek
XTP601

Hydrogen Storage

Application/Service Purpose of Measurement Measured Gas/Background Gas Typical Range Recommended Product
Monitoring of quality of grey, blue and green hydrogen Prevent contamination and ensure quality Hydrogen, Natural Gas Trace moisture, O2 and other impurities QMA601
Promet EExd
Promet I.S.
XTC601
Easidew PRO XP
Easidew PRO I.S.
Easidew I.S.
MultiDetek 3
LDetek MultiDetek3 EX
HyDetek
XTP601
XTC601

FAQs

Applications

The industry has many applications for Hydrogen, all with specific requirements for operation, safety, and quality.

Currently, around 8% of CO2 emissions come from steel production. Green Steel is an application eliminating CO2 emission, which is under close attention and development. Green hydrogen produced with renewable electricity and water electrolysis is used to directly reduce the iron ore to sponge iron with water as a by-product. The hydrogen used is subject to a quality standard with low impurities. The excess hydrogen after the direct production process contains water at percentage levels, which can be measured to control the reduction process accurately.

Very high-purity Hydrogen is one of the critical components used in the semiconductor industry for processes like plasma cleaning, removal of contaminants with etching, and creating precise patterns. Accurate trace impurity measurements are essential to ensure the hydrogen and process quality, as the slightest contamination will interfere with and damage the products.

In many other industries, hydrogen is used to create a desired, often reducing, atmosphere to improve production processes, like cutting, polishing, melting, and other heat treating (glass, metallurgy) or to promote reactions (chemical, petrochemical, refineries). In the pharmaceutical industry, hydrogen purifies other gases from oxygen and produces vitamins and medicine components. It is safe to say that in all these applications, measurements for control of safety and quality play a crucial role.

Hydrogen Blogs

As hydrogen increasingly takes center stage in our pursuit of clean, renewable energy solutions, the need for accurate and reliable measurement technologies becomes ever more critical. Stay informed, inspired, and involved in the conversation around this game-changing element.


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Come and meet us to discuss your Hydrogen applications