30-10-2024

Enabling the energy transition with flow control solutions

As the power generation industry embraces the energy transition, Valmet is leveraging its extensive expertise with industrial gases to provide innovative flow control solutions. With a deep understanding of emerging technologies like green hydrogen production and carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS), Valmet’s Flow Control business line is well-positioned to support the shift towards sustainable power generation practices.

Hydrogen is widely recognised as a crucial energy carrier for the storage and transportation of renewable energy. Its versatility and potential applications span a wide range of industries, from heating and electricity generation to powering vehicles and industrial processes. Recognising the growing importance of hydrogen, governments worldwide are actively planning the development of nationwide hydrogen pipeline networks to facilitate the integration of this innovative fuel into their energy systems.

Valmet’s Flow Control business line has a longstanding track record in handling industrial gases like hydrogen, oxygen and CO2, positioning the company as a trusted partner in the rapidly growing hydrogen economy.

Ville Kähkönen, Director of Renewable Energy and Gases at Valmet, highlights the company’s extensive portfolio, stating, “Our segment, butterfly, ball and other valve designs cover practically all valve needs in the energy transition, whether for hydrogen, oxygen or carbon dioxide service, withstanding high temperatures. Our valves have been proven in electrolysers, providing excellent control accuracy, safety and reliability.

Addressing the challenges of hydrogen service
Handling hydrogen safely and effectively requires extensive expertise in material selection and testing. Valmet’s materials team has developed specialised knowledge in this area, designing and selecting appropriate test methods to generate data on how metallic and non-metallic materials respond in hydrogen environments. This data is invaluable for Valmet’s design engineers, allowing them to perform comprehensive engineering calculations to qualify material compatibility for hydrogen service.

While hydrogen presents unique challenges, Valmet’s decades of experience in handling industrial gases position the company well to address them. A key consideration is mitigating the risks associated with hydrogen’s small molecular size, which can make controlling internal tightness and fugitive emissions more challenging. Additionally, hydrogen has the potential to deteriorate certain material properties, reducing damage tolerance for components.

Liquid hydrogen service, commonly used for transport and short time storage, introduces further complexities due to the extremely low temperatures involved. “At these low temperatures, some metallic materials can become very brittle, and non-metallic materials can lose their properties, compromising valve tightness and safety,” explains Andreas Pischke, Global Industry Manager for Renewable Energy and Gas at Valmet. “Dimensional changes occurring during temperature transitions can also impact internal tightness and external sealing points.” Valmet’s comprehensive approach to material selection and testing, combined with its extensive knowledge in industrial gas applications, enables the company to develop valve solutions that can withstand the demanding conditions of hydrogen service in power generation facilities.

Enabling carbon capture solutions
As industries strive to reduce their carbon footprint, carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) technologies have emerged as critical components of decarbonisation efforts. Valmet is actively involved in the development of these technologies, participating in cutting-edge research projects like the Hydrogen UnderGround (HUG) initiative.

The HUG project, co-funded by Business Finland and part of Valmet’s Beyond Circularity R&D program, focuses on the underground storage of hydrogen, a key aspect of the green hydrogen value chain. Ville Kähkönen emphasises Valmet’s contribution, stating, “Our long experience and comprehensive portfolio cover most applications in the industrial use of hydrogen. Today, Valmet offers a wide range of segment, butterfly, ball and other valves for hydrogen applications, ranging from electrolysis to carbon recovery.”

In addition to hydrogen storage, Valmet’s expertise extends to carbon dioxide (CO2) applications, including handling risks associated with icing and phase changes. The company’s Flow Control business line offers valve solutions for various CO2 applications, from absorption and adsorption processes to cryogenic separation techniques.