Distributor Feature: HD Tech Takes H-Drive to Next Level to Keep Hydrogen Flowing
As a leading manufacturer of high-pressure gas and liquid handling equipment, Haskel is deeply committed to the highest quality in all facets of their business. Haskel's rich network of distributors is key to upholding these standards. Haskel recognizes the hard work their distributors put in and the important role they play in the company's success. To show appreciation for these partnerships, we're proud to highlight the work these distributors do.
Established in 2009, HD Tech specializes in high-pressure systems and serves both Germany and Austria. Having partnered with Haskel for several years, the engineers at HD Tech have exceptional knowledge about both Haskel and BuTech products. Extremely talented systems builders, HD Tech engineers work with customers across a wide variety of industries to produce solutions to meet their high-pressure product requirements. HD Tech has experience in automotive, heavy machinery, oil and gas, research and development, as well as general production. Their experience goes so far that many of their customers rely on them for not only system building but for technical advice as well.
A Challenge in Customization
In 2017, a German customer approached HD Tech about developing a system for fueling a commercial fleet of hydrogen vehicles. It was immediately clear that this system should incorporate Haskel’s H-Drive, a hydraulically driven gas booster known for its role in the growing hydrogen market. However, this customer was looking for a unique way of controlling output that could be operated using standard Siemens PLC control, making it easy for any trained electrician to handle maintenance work.
HD Tech’s engineering team worked for months on a unique hydraulic power unit (HPU) to power the H-Drive for this unique purpose. The end result was the Hydraulic Driven Gas Booster System, HGT-90-63 - 850 bar, a system with a PLC touchscreen, allowing the customer to control the speed of the gas booster and consequently the flow of the system. The H-Drive can run at 18-22 cycles per minute but greater control over the rate of output means greater control over the heat being generated. This ultimately leads to expansion of the hydrogen, which impacts the speed of vehicle refueling.
A Customized Solution
The resulting system is self controlling, switched on and off by supply pressure and pressure in the storage tank. For example, if the inlet pressure of the gas is too low or the outlet vessel pressure is reached the system will automatically turn off. It will turn back on when the gas inlet pressure rises above the minimum, or the pressure in the vessel falls below a minimum set pressure. Gas temperature, oil temperature, oil level, and water temp for cooling are constantly monitored and in case of an alarm the unit will be stopped automatically. The system's pressure safety device is a rupture disc.
HD Tech is one of the first Haskel partners to control the feed drive mechanism of the H-Drive in this unique way and this project serves as an excellent example of the tremendous talent that exists within Haskel's distributor network. Whether it’s fueling a hydrogen vehicle fleet, developing a test rig for equipment testing or developing a gas booster system for another emerging market, HD Tech is the partner that German and Austrian companies turn to when they are looking for true high-pressure systems and solutions.
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