May 2024 Volume 6

ENERGY

H classification according to their production method 2

RENEWABLE OR NUCLEAR POWER

NATURAL GAS

COAL

ELECTRICITY FROM THE GRID

How green is my H ?

2

Green Hydrogen

Produced by electrolysis of water using renewable energy

STEAM METHANE REFORMING

ELECTROLYSIS

GASIFICATION

CARBON CAPTURE & STORAGE

Grey Hydrogen

Sourced from coal and natural gas. Generate CO emissions

2

BROWN HYDROGEN H 2 Hydrogen

H 2 Hydrogen

BLUE HYDROGEN (DECARBONIZED) H 2 Hydrogen

H 2 Hydrogen

H Hydrogen

Blue Hydrogen

From natural gas with carbon capture and storage

2

GRAY HYDROGEN

HYDROGEN

GREEN HYDROGEN (DECARBONIZED)

Figure 3: H2 Classification according to their production method

generates only water as a by-product. A downside is that H2 supply requires a higher flowrate than natural gas, so requires larger pipes/ higher pressures. There are a number of other factors at play as well: • Flammability. H2 flame is less visible than natural gas flame and can’t be confirmed via visual check. This means that device testing is needed in all cases. You can’t reliably employ flame rods for this, as there are no ions produced in the H2 burning process. This means that you need to use UV. • H2 burns very easily – at presence of between 4% and 75%. This has both good and bad aspects to it. For burners, for instance, there is no particular problem presented – H2 burns easily. Purging would need to take place, as with any other combus tion procedure. • Energy required for ignition. H2 ignites more easily, but from a safety point of view, this is something that needs taking into account. There are a number of design approaches that would need to be adopted to ensure the optimum safety levels. • Increased pressure in H2 piping may lead to more leakages. • There may be higher NOx emissions due to higher flame temperatures. • Smaller molecule means leakage potential in current valves. What We’re Doing at Nutec Bickley We have already undertaken work to evaluate both valves and burners suitable for H2 combustion. We have also been working closely with leading international suppliers to validate H2-ready equipment.

Recognizing its importance, we have also been assessing the impact of using existing pipework, particularly bearing in mind the possibility of mechanical damage to the metal caused by hydrogen penetration, leading to loss in ductility and tensile strength (H2 embrittlement). Nutec Bickley has also been evaluating strategies for retrofitting (change in burner internals, valves, possible natural gas/H2 mixtures etc.). Whatever the correct option may be for any given customer, in terms of decarbonization, we aim to demonstrate our usual flexibility in order to open up new technological avenues in any way that is appro priate, affordable, and productive. For instance, aside from purely the heating angle, we strive to come up with cleaner and more efficient process equipment designs, such as electromechanical car pusher units, rather than hydraulic versions. Conclusion There is undoubtedly an important role to be played by novel electric and hydrogen heating technologies when it comes to meeting the challenges of decarbonization in the forging industry. Significant progress has already been made, and we recognize that building on this work – and refining the associated concepts and systems – will be an essential element in our contribution to customer success in the coming years.

Alberto Cantú PhD Vice President – Sales Nutec Bickley Email: AlbertoCantu@nutec.com

FIA MAGAZINE | MAY 2024 9