How can paste extruded PTFE and PFA (HiPerFlon*) lined piping support Green Hydrogen production?
One of the main processes to produce Green Hydrogen is Alkaline Water Electrolysis, where an electrolyser is used to split water molecules into hydrogen gas and oxygen gas. The electrolyser consists of two electrodes (positive and negative) immersed in electrolyte solution, typically potassium hydroxide (KOH) solution. This process is energy intensive.
To have the lowest possible carbon emissions this process must be powered using electricity from renewable energies such as solar and wind power. What is key about hydrogen energy is that it can be used in a variety of applications, contributing to lower carbon emissions in many applications.
Some of the reasons it is considered the future of green energy is due to its cost-effective nature, scalability, efficiency and the purity of the hydrogen it produces. The most important factor however is having the lowest emissions as the only byproduct of this production is water.
Paste extruded PTFE and PFA (HiPerFlon*) :
KOH and corrosion resistance
The alkaline KOH electrolyte solutions are corrosive and careful selection of materials for the wetted parts are important. By specifying paste extruded PTFE and PFA (HiPerFlon*) as the wetted part you are ensuring long lifetime and reducing risk of corrosion affecting the process or introducing impurities. We supply thick wall HiPerFlon* liners within carbon steel piping or housings to withstand high pressures and temperatures. Depending upon the flange rating these can be as high as 32 bar g with class 300 flanges @ 50°, reducing to a maximum pressure of 20 barg @ 200°C. The virgin HiPerFlon* liners we manufacture prevent any impurities. Our products allow longer operational life for the solution and less need for change overs. With KOH and the presence of Oxygen paste extruded PTFE and PFA (HiPerFlon*) is a most viable and low-cost option.
Deionised water purity and corrosion
Additionally, the water used in this must be deionised before being split into hydrogen gas and oxygen. This water must remain pure from ions in storage and in its supply to the hydrogen generating plant, metallic piping alone doesn’t maintain this purity. PTFE / PFA lined steel pipes provide the solution by maintaining water purity and preventing corrosion taking place throughout the piping system so that no ions affect the production process.
In application using corrosive chemicals and requiring the highest levels of purity, paste extruded PTFE and PFA (HiPerFlon*) lined steel pipes and fittings are a tried and tested long term solution with impurities less than 36ppt (parts per trillion) for the whole production plant.
Contact us to find out more about how our products can support hydrogen production.
Paste extruded PTFE and PFA (HiPerFlon*) lined products are used already in the hydrogen industry for hoses, lining material in fittings pipe spools and valves. This is due to the inherent nature of paste extruded PTFE and PFA, being able to withstand corrosion from almost all chemicals, along with a high temperature operating range up to 200°C & and maintain purity of all solutions conveyed within.
