29 March 2022
Measurement specialist Althen offers three new pressure transducers that are suitable for the challenging use in hydrogen applications. The AGS4200H, the HI2000H and the HP1000H will be presented for the first time at the measurement technology trade fair "Sensor + Test" in Nuremberg from 10 to 12 May 2022.
The transducers are based on standard transducers from Althen that are identical in model, but have been adapted for the "hydrogen" application. Hydrogen is a very challenging medium, especially for the wetted parts of an application. Due to its volatility and the small molecular cell size, only certain metals can be used, e.g. for the pressure connection. If the molecular size of the hydrogen is smaller than the molecular lattice structure of the metal, the hydrogen diffuses through the metal and causes hydrogen embrittlement, which ultimately destroys the lattice structure of the metal. Certain steels such as high-alloy chromium-nickel steels or special metals such as Hastelloy C or Inconel, which are used especially at higher pressures, are suitable. All three new pressure transducers have been tested for hydrogen compatibility and certified according to ISO 1114-2:2017 in compliance with EC79/2009.
The challenge of hydrogen: the new HP1000H, HI2000H and AGS4200H pressure transducers (from left) are suitable for demanding use in hydrogen-based applications and are certified to ISO 1114-2:2017 in accordance with EC79/2009. Image: ©Althen GmbH Mess- und Sensortechnik
Standard - High Specification - High Pressures
The transducers differ in their respective areas of application: the AGS4200H is a basic version for standard requirements, which has an accuracy of 0.25 per cent and is designed for temperatures up to 120 degrees Celsius. The HI2000H corresponds to a higher specification. It has a higher accuracy of 0.1 per cent and is suitable for higher temperatures up to 200 degrees Celsius within the application. HP1000H stands for High Pressure, a transducer that can withstand very high pressures up to 5,000 bar. Material, diaphragm and pressure connection are designed for these applications.
RS485 Digital interface
Depending on the application, the pressure transducers are available with an analogue or a digital RS485 interface. The latter allows the use of long cable lengths and the construction of a daisy-chain for several pressure transducers in series.
Pressure measurement in diverse hydrogen applications
Applications for the hydrogen-compatible pressure transducers include hydrogen production, hydrogen distribution, i.e. distribution and storage (e.g. pressure monitoring in truck tanks or hydrogen tanks at filling stations) and the hydrogen dispenser itself. Permanent monitoring of the tank pressure is necessary here, among other things, because a minimum pressure of approx. 700 bar is required to be able to start a hydrogen refuelling process at all. In addition, there are numerous industrial applications, e.g. in the chemical industry, pharmaceuticals, plastics production or aerospace, in which hydrogen is indispensable as a medium. With the three new pressure transducers, Althen covers a wide range of applications and offers many configuration options. In addition, Althen adapts transducers individually to the respective application if specifications are required that are not listed in the data sheet.
Visit us at booth 1-453
In addition to the hydrogen-compatible pressure transducers, interested visitors can also find out about force transducers, displacement transducers, SIL transducers with safety function for safety-relevant applications, pressure scanners or data loggers at the exhibition stand 1-453 in Hall 1.