Hydrogen Thought Leaders – Q&A with Emmanuel Thierry, Market Development Manager – Sales Companies EMEA, Parker Hannifin, and Kurt De Lannoye, Sales Manager – Benelux, Parker Hannifin.
Fuelled by a robust product portfolio, Parker’s support of hydrogen technology innovation has lasted more than a half century: from experience assisting customers with solutions for hydrogen’s complexities since the 1960s to work with NASA’s fuel cell division that helped land Apollo 11 men on the moon. By enabling safe, effective production of hydrogen technology, the company is helping that same clean energy technology power countless organisations today.
Advances in hydrogen technology will help make our planet a cleaner place to live and thrive. Parker is leading the charge by inspiring further hydrogen innovation by providing customers with a broad range of products that meet the complex production, transportation, storage, dispensing and on-vehicle use that enables the greater and faster adoption of renewable, green energy sources.
Q: From your perspective, what areas of industry and what applications are driving demand for hydrogen solutions?
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ET: Most of the demand we see at Parker Hannifin is from heavy industry; mainly oil and gas refineries, where hydrogen provides a great way to de-sulphurize crude oil in the production of petrol and diesel. Another major application area is fertilizer plants, which use hydrogen to produce ammonia, the building block of all mineral fertilizers. Steel plants and cement plants are also adopting hydrogen systems as part of their decarbonization efforts. As a result, we see exponential growth for the hydrogen market in the coming years. This is not only our view, but that of the wider industry. For instance, as part of a drive to decarbonize its European refineries, TotalEnergies recently requested tenders for the supply of 500,000 tons of green hydrogen per year.
Q: What areas of the hydrogen value chain do you address?
KDL: We offer solutions for the entire hydrogen value chain, which Parker divides by application: production; conditioning; storage/distribution; and usage. We created an easy-to-follow Hydrogen Value Chain Visual Selector that identifies where we can assist.
Q: Please explain how you help manufacturers develop solutions for hydrogen production, for example?
ET: Parker has a complete offer for purification, a key part of the hydrogen production process. This centers mainly on filtration, helping electrolyzer manufacturers to purify the feed water and help avoid damage to the system’s anode and cathode. For the subsequent gas/water separation stage we offer the PEACH Gemini PuraSep horizontal gas filter-coalescer, inspired by years of trouble-free operation in oil and gas applications. We also have a broad portfolio for other hydrogen production stages that include drying and cooling, including an innovative system for evacuating heat from the electrolyzer. Supporting all of these solutions is our range of hydrogen-compatible valves, fittings, flanges, and hoses, which are suitable for operation at pressures from 30 to 700 bar. In addition, Parker can provide special seals that prevent hydrogen leaks at high pressure.
Q: What are the main challenges in the hydrogen market right now?
KDL: Among the main challenges is the speed of growth. Many companies are investing in this sector, looking to develop electrolyzers and other products for hydrogen applications. All these market entrants need help with product selection. However, there’s a risk that not every company will survive due to the level of competition. Engaging with a time-served and proven technology partner such as Parker at an early stage can prove highly beneficial. We have the engineering capacity and know-how to help manufacturers deliver high-performance, safe solutions for hydrogen projects.
Q: What safety regulations are in place for hydrogen systems?
ET: Regulation includes ECE r134, which concerns the safety-related performance of hydrogen-fuelled vehicles, while ATEX certification covers stationary hydrogen plants. We are also seeing growing requests for product leak certification, so you can see there’s a trend towards more safety regulations in the hydrogen space.
Q: Is activity increasing in the mobile fuel cell market: cars, buses, boats?
ET: Although the mobile fuel cell market is not at the same stage as stationary applications in heavy industry, we see similar potential growth. At present, the world is lacking the necessary infrastructure – the refueling stations – to support huge up-scaling of the hydrogen fuel cell market. However, we are seeing the development of more city center hydrogen buses, for example, as well as more trucks.
Q: What would you say is your market differentiator?
KDL: I can’t think of another company able to provide products as diverse as coolers, filters, fittings, pressure regulators, and so on, from a single source. Such a wide portfolio makes it easier and more cost-effective for new market entrants, who can reduce their supplier inventory by working exclusively with Parker instead of five others. We have become a one-stop-shop for hydrogen system manufacturers, helping them to secure their supply chain.
Q: Are you still actively developing solutions for use in hydrogen systems?
KDL: Yes, because hydrogen systems are evolving so quickly. Just a few years ago the industry would consider a 1 MW electrolyzer to be large, whereas today we are talking about 20 MW. We work hard to make sure our solutions keep pace with the market’s changing requirements, providing the latest advancements in everything from simple pressure switches through to complex coolers and chillers. By way of example, one of our most recent innovations is an external sensor to detect hydrogen leaks in mobile applications. We are constantly exploring opportunities and continue to invest in new product development.
Q: Where does Parker position itself in the hydrogen market?
ET: Like all markets, we position ourselves in the hydrogen segment as a supplier of high-quality products and services. Parker provides high-end solutions with comprehensive engineering support. We have more than 10 divisions working on hydrogen today.
Q: What history does the company have in this sector?
KDL: Around 15 years ago, a manufacturer in Belgium produced the first hydrogen bus. It featured Parker couplings. No comparable supplier has more hydrogen expertise than Parker.
ET: In total, we have more than five decades of experience in hydrogen system solutions because there were Parker products on the Apollo 11 mission spacecraft. There will also be Parker solutions on the new Artemis mission spacecraft that will see humans return to the Moon. For some companies, hydrogen is a new concept, but it’s not new for Parker: we are in our element!
READ the latest news shaping the hydrogen market at Hydrogen Central
Hydrogen Thought Leaders – Q&A with Emmanuel Thierry, Market Development Manager – Sales Companies EMEA, Parker Hannifin, and Kurt De Lannoye, Sales Manager – Benelux, Parker Hannifin.
