Benefits of stainless steel in industrial hydrogen applications
Stainless steel offers excellent strength and safety in hydrogen storage
For many storage and transportation applications, hydrogen is liquified, requiring its temperature to be reduced to as low as -253°C. Austenitic stainless steel grades are ideal for use at cryogenic temperatures as they offer a safety-essential combination of ductility and energy absorption.
Another approach to storage and transportation is to compress gaseous hydrogen. Due to its low volumetric density, this demands high pressures of up to 800 bar. In some materials, this could result in hydrogen embrittlement, where the diffusion of the gas into the surface eventually leads to cracking. The preferred material to meet this challenge is austenitic stainless steel, as hydrogen diffusion is much lower in austenite than in ferrite or martensite. Excellent material resistance to hydrogen embrittlement in high pressure applications is obtained by selecting stable austenitic steel grade, such as Supra 316L/4435. Supra 316plus/4420 and Supra 316LN/4429 also present excellent alternatives, especially when higher material strength is needed.
Since many storage facilities are built in coastal areas with a salt-laden environment, the corrosion resistance of stainless steel is an increasingly important factor.
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Storing energy in hydrogen reduces reliance on fossil fuels
Storing energy in hydrogen is an efficient and versatile method for balancing energy supply and demand. Hydrogen can be produced via electrolysis using surplus renewable energy, such as wind or solar power. Once produced, it can be stored in tanks and later converted back into electricity using fuel cells, for example.
This process helps stabilize the grid, reduces reliance on fossil fuels, and enables the integration of more renewable energy sources into the energy system. Hydrogen storage is scalable and can be used for various applications, from powering vehicles to providing backup power for industries and homes. The natural extension from storage is filling stations, such as refueling a fuel cell vehicle. The properties of stainless steel make it ideal for the manufacture of fuel dispensers, tubes and compressors. Outokumpu stainless steels offer ideal material choices for all of these applications.