With the hydrogen industry constantly evolving, delivering on service and standards always counts. In the latest 1895 episode, ‘From design to deployment: the role of service solutions in hydrogen’, Danny van den Burg, Lead Solutions Specialist at Swagelok – which specialises in containing and controlling liquids and gases in critical applications – highlights why service is just as critical as having great product.
Hydrogen tanks and tech have been part of the stable at Swagelok for many years, and van den Burg himself has nearly 20 years’ engineering experience with the gas molecule.
When it comes to hydrogen, he says, “What we see is the dynamic in low-carbon emissions and a big shift towards how to produce hydrogen in cleaner ways. And there are new players coming in.”
“But the product is not always compliant. That knowledge is coming into the market via OEMs or other package vendors, and sometimes they copy and paste to save time – [that means] their systems can be improved.”
Van den Burg says installing a system is one thing but doing it in just the right way is another thing entirely.
“We think there is a knowledge gap in this emerging industry, where oil and gas specifications come in. That’s challenging sometimes for end customers.”
Van den burg notes that while it may be easy to look up a product in a catalogue, Swagelok’s focus is on what an application can do in a certain process.
“We start with training and best practice design recommendations, and our engineers can help design with small-molecule system solutions. We can [then] mould the products into solutions – and our worldwide network helps.”
He says the industry’s growth will rely from here on building out infrastructure. When that’s in place it is feasible to expand the number of vehicles that can be fuelled, and produce more hydrogen for distribution.
“What also helps is partnerships that companies can rely on, in terms of ensuring available and reliable product.”
Such an approach can help project managers looking to ramp up production, he notes.
“It’s a challenge sometimes, and suppliers can help with smaller solution systems which can be implemented right away, and product management can concentrate on the core business of getting their systems delivered,” he says.
In the previous 1895 episode, hydrogen motorsport outfit Extreme H outlined how it is helping raise hydrogen awareness and understanding, and van den Burg likewise understands the importance of collaboration.
“I think that’s key here – we learn together and share our expertise. I’m sure that will drive the industry to better solutions.”
Van den Burg is based in the Netherlands, where gasworld held its European CO2 Summit last week.
