SwRI will demonstrate hydrogen valve and flow component testing at Valve World America Expo & Conference 2021
Picture: SwRI provides customers with the ability to test material compatibility and performance, as well as fire protection technical services, such as non-metallic seal fire testing, risk and hazard assessment, hydrogen flame detector testing and safety best practices. SwRI engineers will demonstrate the institute’s hydrogen valve testing and other FCTF testing capabilities at the Valve World America Expo and Conference from October 13th to 14th. 405.See more
San Antonio — October 14, 2021 — Southwest Research Institute’s Flow Component Test Facility (FCTF) has expanded its safety and performance testing capabilities to include hydrogen valve testing. SwRI engineers will demonstrate these hydrogen valve tests and FCTF functions at Valve World Americas Expo & Conference booth 405 in Houston, Texas from October 13th to 14th. Oil and gas companies are increasingly mixing hydrogen into natural gas pipelines, requiring valves that are less prone to hydrogen-related embrittlement and are more sealed. As governments and industries seek new industrial applications to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the demand for hydrogen research has also increased. "Every day, more and more industry professionals rely on hydrogen to help transition to clean energy, reduce emissions, increase energy storage, etc.," said Angel Wileman of SwRI, who is the head of the thermal fluids department of the mechanical engineering department of the institute . "The oil and gas industry is changing, and SwRI can help ensure that the transition to this new paradigm is as smooth and efficient as possible." However, finding a clean energy solution that uses hydrogen will face a unique set of challenges. Wileman said that FCTF can help industry professionals and companies assess and overcome challenges. SwRI is approved by the American Petroleum Institute (API) to perform verification tests on surface and underground safety valves. These facilities can perform other downhole safety, riser isolation and safety testing of wellhead valves. All tests are completed under API Q1 and ISO 17025 quality management system. These special valves can be operated at extremely low temperatures or high pressures to ensure hydrogen storage. Since hydrogen molecules are very small, the valve must be tightened firmly and leak tested. SwRI provides almost all hydrogen valve test methods, including the international standard ISO 19880-3. Hydrogen can cause many materials used in refineries and oil and gas distribution pipelines to become brittle. For example, after continuous exposure to hydrogen, carbon steel valves become less effective and easier to rupture, which may cause gas leakage and pose safety hazards. SwRI not only provides customers with the ability to test material compatibility and performance, but also provides fire protection technical services, such as non-metallic seal fire testing, risk and hazard assessment, hydrogen flame detector testing and safety best practices. "SwRI has a strong foundation in engineering, valve testing, and hydrogen testing in flow components," said Alexandra Schluneker, chief engineer of SwRI's Fire Technology Department. "We are also starting to provide more performance tests. Hydrogen is an exciting opportunity for SwRI. We can help ensure that the transition to hydrogen is reliable, safe and efficient to meet industry needs."
For more information, please visit https://www.swri.org/industry/advanced-power-systems/hydrogen-energy-research. Learn more about SwRI at the 2021 Valve World Americas Expo & Conference at https://www.swri.org/event/valve-world-americas-expo-conference. Learn more about SwRI's flow component testing facility at https://www.swri.org/industries/flow-component-testing.
Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of press releases posted to EurekAlert!! Use any information through contributing agencies or through the EurekAlert system.
Stephanie Paredes Southwest Research Institute stephanie.paredes@swri.org Office: 210-522-5692
Jesus Chavez Southwest Research Institute jchavez@swri.org
Copyright © 2021 American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
Copyright © 2021 American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)