Hydrogen Technology

Unlike other natural resources, hydrogen is not available on earth in its raw form but must be extracted from water or hydrocarbons using energy. The most widely used technologies for producing hydrogen are steam reforming and electrolysis.

In steam reforming, hydrogen is separated from hydrocarbons by means of high temperatures and the addition of water vapour. However, this leaves behind carbon compounds, which means that the hydrogen cannot be produced without emissions.

In electrolysis, water is broken down into its components by a chemical process using electrical energy. Oxygen and hydrogen are produced in the process. If the hydrogen is produced during electrolysis using electricity from renewable energy sources, it is referred to as green hydrogen. The hydrogen can then be stored in various forms.

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HARTING solutions

Reliable solutions that facilitate the scalability of systems and simultaneously reduce operating costs are essential for the efficient production of hydrogen:

• Efficient connection technology: Pre-tested components reduce the effort required for final testing and improve process reliability.

• Cost-optimised installations: Innovative systems reduce assembly and documentation efforts and facilitate integration into existing systems.

• Reliable products: High-quality materials enable use under extreme conditions and ensure reliable transmission of power and data.

There are various ways of storing hydrogen:

In gaseous form, it is stored in pressurised tanks or underground cavern storage facilities at high pressure. In liquid form, hydrogen is stored in insulated cryogenic tanks at extremely low temperatures of -253 °C. Another option is adsorption in suitable solids such as carbon or special metals (metal hydride storage). Hydrogen can also be stored in special liquid carrier media such as oil (liquid organic hydrogen carriers).

Depending on the form or carrier medium, the stored hydrogen can then be transported by lorry, ship or rail.

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HARTING solutions

Safe and flexible solutions are crucial to meet the challenges of storing and transporting hydrogen:

• Robust connection technologies: Developed for demanding environments, they offer reliable protection against external influences such as heat, moisture or mechanical stress.

• Modular systems: Enable flexible customisation to individual requirements and integrate various media such as electrical signals or pneumatic connections.

• Plug-and-play functionality: Pre-assembled and space-saving systems facilitate installation and commissioning while ensuring high mobility.

Hydrogen technologies are crucial for the energy transition and offer a wide range of potential applications. Hydrogen can be used in fuel cells to generate electrical energy by reacting with oxygen in a controlled manner. This produces electrical voltage and the only by-product is pure water with no additional emissions. Fuel cells are particularly important for environmentally friendly vehicles. Research in aviation and shipping shows that hydrogen as a fuel has the potential to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and thus represents an important step towards sustainable mobility.

In industry, hydrogen is used as a reducing agent in steel production to lower CO2 emissions and in high-temperature processes for sustainable production. Hydrogen is also used in modified boilers for environmentally friendly heat generation.
In summary, hydrogen technologies contribute to the decarbonisation of various sectors and are an essential building block for a climate-friendly future.

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HARTING Solutions

When using hydrogen, for example in fuel cells, specially developed solutions are required to ensure efficient and safe utilisation:

• Reliable high-performance technologies: Suitable for use under high temperatures and demanding insulation conditions, they ensure optimum performance.

• Customisation: Tailor-made solutions are adapted to the specific requirements of the infrastructure and application.

• Comprehensive support: From specification and development to qualification and approval, the entire process is supported by experienced experts.