Hydrogen applications
The product of choice for hydrogen applications. Explore our customized solutions especially tested for hydrogen application.
What is hydrogen?
Another important aspect of renewable energies is green hydrogen. Hydrogen can be produced by electrolysis of water, steam reforming of natural gas, and other methods. It is stored in compressed, liquid or solid form and used in various sectors. Fuel cells convert hydrogen into electricity, emitting only water and oxygen, which helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
voestalpine Tubulars has the essential know-how in steel and tube production, the long-term experience in connection development and manufacturing for the oil and gas industry as well as the testing capabilities to design the optimal product solutions – all these parameters are prerequisite for safe use of hydrogen too.
Therefore, the company already offers the following product solutions, which are already successfully installed in several hydrogen storage and line pipe projects.
Our product solutions
VAhyper®
- The hydrogen-tight premium connection - The robust metal to metal seal design ensures hydrogen gas-tightness under combined loads at 100 % efficiency.
- Connection successfully tested according to an in-house developed fit-for-purpose test protocol for hydrogen-tightness with 100 % H2 at high pressures (in cooperation with an Austrian Hydrogen Research Center).
- The general gas-tightness is approved by ISO 13679 CAL IV.
- Dimension range up to 7 5/8" (193.68 mm)
Tailor-made casing & tubing grades
- VAhyper® in combination with H2 grades, e.g. VA-H2-L80-1 and VA-H2-J55, ensures improved resistance against hydrogen embrittlement.
- These grades are qualified according to actual test methods for materials with resistance against molecular hydrogen environment (dry gas and wet conditions), e.g. constant load tests and slow strain rate test.
Tailor-made Line Pipe grades for distribution lines
- L360N, L360Q
- P235 acc. EN/ISO 10216-2
- X42 up to X70 acc. API 5L
All these grades are either tested or in progress of testing for hydrogen applications.
Additional solutions available upon request.
Efficient hydrogen storage in salt caverns with VAhyper®
Hydrogen storage in salt caverns provides a secure and efficient method for long-term hydrogen storage. Using our VAhyper®, the gas is compressed into underground cavities formed through the process of solution mining. These salt caverns are ideal for storing the smallest gas molecules (H2), due to their gas-tight properties.
The surrounding salt formation is almost impermeable, preventing any hydrogen from escaping. Before storage begins, the salt caverns are carefully prepared and tested for leak-tightness. When needed, the stored hydrogen can be withdrawn and, for example, fed into the distribution network.
Advantages of hydrogen storage in salt caverns:
- High safety due to gas-tight structures
- Efficient use of underground cavities
- Flexible access to stored hydrogen
- Integration into the existing distribution network
