12
04月
Hydrogen energy, hailed as the ultimate energy source of the 21st century, is a critical pathway for achieving carbon neutrality goals. As a clean energy source, hydrogen releases energy during physical or chemical changes without producing harmful byproducts like carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, hydrocarbons, or particulate matter. It enables decarbonization from the backbone to the terminal applications of the energy system, offering essential support for carbon neutrality across various industries. Thus, hydrogen energy represents an ideal solution for meeting dual-carbon targets.
Due to its unique environmental benefits and efficiency, hydrogen energy is regarded as a pivotal direction for future energy development. It can be produced via water electrolysis or extracted from natural gas, coal, and other sources. Among its applications, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles and hydrogen storage stand out as prominent areas. With continuous technological advancements and declining costs, the commercialization of hydrogen energy is accelerating, leading to increased demand for precise hydrogen flow measurement.
In hydrogen production, storage, and transportation, accurate hydrogen flow measurement is vital for ensuring efficiency and safety. However, hydrogen’s properties as a light gas present several challenges:
Low Density and High Diffusivity
Flow meters must exhibit high sensitivity and excellent sealing to avoid gas leakage and ensure measurement accuracy.
High-Pressure Measurement
Hydrogen is often processed under extreme conditions, such as high pressure and low temperatures. Flow meters must withstand pressures up to several hundred bar and operate reliably in low-temperature applications like liquid hydrogen transportation.
High Accuracy Requirements
Precise flow measurement is crucial for efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and safety. Inaccuracies can lead to energy waste, increased costs, or even safety incidents. Selecting appropriate flow measurement technology and equipment, along with correct system installation and maintenance, is essential for meeting industry standards and ensuring operational safety.
Ultrasonic flow meters have become increasingly popular in hydrogen energy applications due to their unique benefits:
Non-Invasive Measurement
Installed externally on pipelines, ultrasonic flow meters transmit signals through pipe walls and media. This reduces system pressure loss, avoids contamination of hydrogen purity, and minimizes wear and tear, extending the device’s lifespan.
High Precision and Repeatability
Advanced signal processing techniques allow ultrasonic flow meters to accurately capture time-of-flight differences in hydrogen, providing precise flow rate and volume calculations.
Adaptability to Extreme Conditions
Ultrasonic flow meters perform well in high-pressure and low-temperature environments. Some advanced models also measure additional parameters like speed of sound, temperature, and density for deeper system insights.
MEZOLEN has made significant strides in hydrogen flow measurement. The company recently obtained a patent for an innovative small-diameter ultrasonic hydrogen flow meter installation structure. The patented design improves practicality, interference resistance, sensitivity, and measurement accuracy, addressing limitations of existing gas ultrasonic flow meters in small-diameter applications.
The patent introduces a shielded box housing a measurement tube and an ultrasonic flow meter head. The structure includes integrated intake, outlet, and straight pipes with tightly connected flow meter probes, ensuring seamless performance. This design reduces noise and electromagnetic interference, enhancing hydrogen flow measurement accuracy.
By leveraging its expertise and patented technologies, MEZOLEN continues to lead in providing precise and reliable hydrogen flow solutions, further contributing to the development of a sustainable hydrogen energy ecosystem.
