Kelvion heat exchanger deployed in German green hydrogen plant
Kelvion is supplying a double-tube safety heat exchanger for a new green hydrogen production facility in Germany. The equipment enhances safety and reduces unplanned downtime.
Kelvion has supplied a specialized double-tube safety heat exchanger for a new green hydrogen production facility in Germany, which aims to support the European hydrogen economy.
Silica Verfahrenstechnik GmbH, a Berlin-based company specializing in gas purification and drying systems, ordered Kelvion's Shell & Tube Double Safety model. The heat exchanger is used to remove water from the hydrogen produced at the facility.
The technology features double-walled tubes, comprising an inner and outer tube, with two tube sheets at each end. If an inner tube wall is damaged, process media flow through leakage channels between the double tubes into a collection space, triggering an alarm in a leak detection device. The intact outer tube wall keeps media separate, allowing the unit to continue operating until the next scheduled maintenance. This prevents unplanned downtime and contamination of the process and equipment.
Silica Verfahrenstechnik GmbH previously used single-tube heat exchangers with additional safety devices. Kelvion stated they customized their double-tube technology to meet the client's demanding requirements. The company also reported that this solution reduces the need for Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) and hazard and operability studies (HAZOP).
The new electrolysis plant is expected to produce up to 290 kilograms of green hydrogen per hour using renewable electricity. Following the benefits observed, Silica Verfahrenstechnik GmbH plans to utilize similar double-tube safety technology in future projects.