Hydrogen
5 product series & 100+ process connections
For over 20 years the company LABOM Mess- und Regeltechnik, based in the northern German town of Hude, has been making measuring devices for hydrogen applications. Drawn from this experience, LABOM has developed several series of pressure transmitters that can be used in both standardised and application-defined hydrogen processes. The measuring instruments of the PASCAL CV4 and PASCAL Ci4 series as well as COMPACT CA16 cover a measuring range between -1 and 1050 bar, depending on the capabilities of the individual pressure transmitter, can be used down to -40°C and are also certified with Ex-protection and some with SIL. Hydrogen-proof stainless steels are used for the wetted parts, as well as polymers suited to hydrogen, such as NBR, EPDM and PVDF.
On request: Certificate for H2 suitability of pressure gauges can be ordered.
Our hydrogen certificate is issued specifically according to the details of your individual instrument configuration as well as the requirements of your application conditions. Based on the process parameters you provide, such as pressure, temperature and hydrogen concentration, we calculate the time period within any potential negative effects of hydrogen on the measuring device can be safely excluded. This confirmation is provided to you in the form of a certificate which can also be used for inspections.
Our H2-Products
The Labom H2-Calculation tool
Calculation of the hydrogen resistance of measuring instruments
Hydrogen penetrates stainless steel. This effect can have negative influences on the function of measuring instruments. With our hydrogen tool, we can calculate the time period in which this effect is reliably excluded for measuring instruments with diaphragm seal systems, depending on the most important influencing factors.
Hydrogen for energy storage
The variable nature of renewable energy is considered one of the greatest challenges in implementing the energy transition: Solar and wind sources cannot be regulated according to the needs of electricity customers at any given time. The development of workable and economic power storage technologies is therefore a decisive factor for success of the energy transition. Labom is at home both in the equipping of wind turbines in close cooperation with leading manufacturers and in the energy storage segment in terms of metrology.
Hydrogen plays a key role in the storage of surplus energy. Surplus energy from renewable energy sources can be used to produce hydrogen via electrolysis in order to store the energy. Hydrogen is also the initial medium for Power2X processes. Nevertheless, handling the smallest molecule in existence also presents a challenge: Hydrogen dissolves in numerous metals and is so small that it penetrates stainless steels and causes some types of steel to become brittle.
Hydrogen embrittlement
When hydrogen atoms migrate through metals, they disrupt the crystal lattice, causing the material of commonly used alloys to become brittle. Choosing the right material is therefore crucial. However, hydrogen-resistant stainless steels are precisely those that are less springy and therefore only have limited application in technology for pressure measurement. One solution can be an upstream diaphragm seal.
Hydrogen permeation through stainless steel
The hydrogen molecule decomposes into hydrogen atoms on the surface of metals and these can diffuse through metals: First the hydrogen molecules decompose into atoms, then the atoms migrate through the tetrahedral and octahedral gaps of the metal lattice and reunite as molecules on the other side. The whole process is called permeation (see illustration).
Influence on pressure measurement technology
Diaphragm seals have a thin metal diaphragm on the process side. The pressure is transmitted to the sensor via the diaphragm and a filling liquid, usually oil. If hydrogen penetrates the membrane, it dissolves in the oil. Once saturation is reached, the hydrogen forms beads as the pressure is relieved and this leads to measurement errors such as shifting the zero point