FUSION-H2

A move away from fossil fuels will ultimately require hydrogen. There are a number of sectors that require it, including energy intensive manufacturing (steel, glass), and haulage.

The future hydrogen economy will require an accurate knowledge of flow to allow for metering, charging, distribution, storage, and capacity planning, and to ensure that the network is operating efficiently and safely. Early hydrogen distribution will: (a) use existing natural gas networks and (b) be at a percentage of the total content, for example 30% hydrogen and 70% natural gas, with increasing hydrogen content over time.

Most high accuracy flow meters use ultrasound. The speed of sound in hydrogen is extremely high, which makes the measurement challenging, and requires innovative solutions.

SMARTech and Ionix will develop a highly flexible, innovative flow meter which is able to work with a range of hydrogen percentages (from 0-100%), pressures (which will be higher for hydrogen than natural gas), pipe bore sizes, and temperatures, for suitability over the entire distribution and storage network. The team will develop the sensors, the electronics, and the software, all of which must be optimised to develop a viable solution and provide precise minute by minute data.

Finally, the team will demonstrate the capability. Initial trials will be performed on test facilities constructed specifically for this project, which will allow performance to be optimised. Towards the end of the project, if possible, the demonstrators will be proven on Future Grid, a unique UK prototype facility which allows for validation of new equipment required for hydrogen infrastructure.