Innovative move MEGA project from Empa
Empa's innovative move MEGA project
Swagelok is pleased to support the move MEGA project of Empa, a research institute for materials science and technology in the ETH domain, with high-quality products and expertise. The project is part of the mobility demonstrator “move” and is an example of how the mobility of the future can be designed.
(You can find out more about the completed project of the pilot hydrogen refueling system as part of “move”, in which Swagelok was also involved, here)
Swagelok H2 Car in front of move at Empa
The move MEGA project is concerned with the production of synthetic methane - a sustainable alternative for gas supply. For methanation, a precisely defined mixture of hydrogen and carbon dioxide is passed through a catalytically active material that is heated to around 300 degrees Celsius. The resulting methane gas can then be used to fuel gas-powered vehicles or fed into the existing natural gas grid.
The main model for this process is nature or photosynthesis. In a first step, water is separated into hydrogen and oxygen using renewable energy. In the “move”, photovoltaic cells and an electrolysis system are used for this; in nature, this is done by chlorophyll (leaf green), which absorbs sunlight to split water, which the plant absorbs via the roots and transports to the leaves. The oxygen formed in this way is released into the atmosphere and the hydrogen is converted with CO2 into carbohydrates (in the case of photosynthesis) or hydrocarbons (in the case of power-to-X plants). Plants absorb the CO2 required for this from the air via their leaves. In “move”, the CO2 is also obtained from the air via a technical system and converted into methane in a novel catalytic process described below.
The move MEGA project is concerned with the production of synthetic methane - a sustainable alternative for gas supply. For methanation, a precisely defined mixture of hydrogen and carbon dioxide is passed through a catalytically active material that is heated to around 300 degrees Celsius. The resulting methane gas can then be refueled in gas vehicles or fed into the existing natural gas grid. The move-MEGA project is characterized by a unique process and catalyst design developed at Empa and used for the first time in this plant. This process makes it possible to produce methane of a quality that can be directly refueled or fed into the grid without the need for purification.
This innovative technology sets new standards and places high demands on the components used.
Swagelok was able to supply a large number of high-quality products for this exciting project:
- K series pressure reducing valves
- Manual valves from the 40/AFS/NB series
- Manual valves from the 40 series with SIL2-compliant position indicators
- Pneumatically controlled valves from the 40/AFS series with SIL2-compliant position indicators
- Check valves from the CH series
- Various tube fittings (for process connections, instrumentation, temperature sensors, pressure sensors, etc.)
Our products not only meet the requirements for extreme conditions, such as high temperatures of up to 400°C (e.g. for control valves), but also offer excellent resistance to hydrogen embrittlement. This is guaranteed by the high stainless steel quality of our products, in particular the high chromium and nickel content.
Stainless Steel Graph
FAQs: How to Avoid Hydrogen Embrittlement
For more information on the products and their possible applications, please contact us directly at info@arborag.ch.
With our expertise and our products, Swagelok supports the industry in mastering the energy transition. Together we are shaping the future of energy supply - efficiently, sustainably and innovatively.