Hydrogen Applications: Three Quick Tips to Streamline Innovation

Friday, March 12, 2021 by Parker United Kingdom Team

Hydrogen-Applications-Three-tips-Parker-Hannifin Hydrogen fuel technology is experiencing significant growth, with its potential as a green energy source being key to many emission reduction strategies.

Engineers across the globe are now working on new H2 applications in transportation, off-road machinery and power generation (creating, storing and using hydrogen). These applications often require innovative approaches – taking fuel into new environments while ensuring safety and minimising risk.

Parker has been involved in developing hydrogen solutions for decades, with a company portfolio that now spans hoses, chillers, dryers, fittings, manifolds, nitrogen generation, water treatment and more. From this experience, useful insights have been gathered which can help engineers developing early-stage hydrogen projects and partnerships.

Tip #1: Look beyond component level

Designing a product that incorporates hydrogen or other new technologies can be daunting. It’s easy to see some technological solutions as a commodity, and the benefits of engaging at this level are not always obvious. For example, you could search online for a specific component and find something that appears suitable.

But looking at a single part in isolation isn’t always a good place to start. Imagine you’re designing a machine that will launch in south-east Europe. Will the components you choose now need to operate in countries with more extreme climates, if sales expand later?

When considering future expansion, it’s also critical to understand scalability and operating conditions. Starting with the big picture can help you understand where your product will be needed, and the problems it will help solve in a greener world. Manufacturers like Parker can initiate discussions like this upfront - helping you to develop more robust products which will achieve longevity.

Tip #2: Manage supply chain relationships

Agility is often key to innovation – learning, experimenting and adjusting is a necessary part of prototype development. As a result, it can be tempting to engage people you’ve worked with before, with an expectation this will speed up productivity.

However, that approach does not always deliver expected results; where companies are on the periphery of one technology, there’s no guarantee that their expertise extends to another. As a practical example, you may regularly buy a valve from one supplier that opens correctly and does a basic job for a process application. But that doesn’t necessarily mean it is designed to control (say) hydrogen as a medium correctly, or that its materials are fully suitable to cope with metal embrittlement.

Build relationships with people who fully understand the technologies that you’re investing in, and you’ll be well positioned to optimize the supply chain. Working with partners whose capabilities span multiple technologies can also help to mitigate risk.

Tip #3: Consider technology transfer potential

Hydrogen-three tips to streamline innovation-coffee machine-Parker Hannifin In the early stages of a technology life cycle, online searches (such as ‘hydrogen solutions in X market’) may show limited or inconclusive results. But that doesn’t mean there’s a shortage of expertise. Sometimes, solutions may already exist in other industries, but use different terminology and certifications.

The coffee industry might be a surprising source of inspiration for hydrogen applications. But clean H2 production can involve extremes of alkalines and temperature – reinforcing the need for components that can withstand such variations, to avoid leaks and rapid failure. And this challenge is also prevalent with industrial coffee machines. Parker manufactures low-pressure push-in fittings for industrial machines that are designed to withstand extreme temperatures and fluctuations, and have secured food industry approvals and certifications. Phthalate free, the fittings contain no endocrine disruptors – which is an important consideration for some specifiers. It’s important to cast the net widely – for example, some companies excel at research stage, but may not be equipped to upscale production later.

For more information and advice about hydrogen solutions, visit Parker’s UK hydrogen page or request further details below.