The hydrogen economy is regarded as one of the key building blocks of the energy supply of the future. To produce, compress, store and transport hydrogen safely, highly precise and extremely reliable pressure measurement technology is required. This is exactly where VEGA sensor solutions come into play: robust, diffusion-resistant and optimally tailored to the challenges of hydrogen processes.
Why pressure measurement is indispensable in the hydrogen industry
Process safety – protection against hazardous conditions
In all areas of hydrogen production and processing, pressure fluctuations can have serious consequences. A sudden pressure surge can overload components, while an unexpected drop in pressure is a sign of leaks or malfunctions. VEGABAR pressure transmitters detect such conditions at an early stage and ensure safe and secure plant operation.
Efficiency – stable processes, lower costs
Whether electrolysis or compression: Many process steps require constant pressure conditions to operate efficiently. Precise measurement data contributes directly to the cost-effectiveness of a plant.
Reliable measurement solutions and their role in hydrogen applications
Ceramic measuring cells – robust and diffusion-proof
Thanks to its hydrogen-tight structure and optimally matched seals, the CERTEC® ceramic measuring cell prevents virtually any ingress of hydrogen and subsequent embrittlement. This makes it ideal for challenging hydrogen applications where resistant materials are absolutely necessary. Since the measuring cell is dry, operating without pressure transmitting oil, chemical reactions between oil and diffused hydrogen are ruled out. That’s why they’re the first choice for processes up to 100 bar, such as those commonly found in alkaline electrolysis.
Advantages:
- High overload resistance
- Lower costs compared to gold-plated metallic membranes
- Ideal for aggressive media (e.g., potassium hydroxide solution)
VEGA solution:
- VEGABAR 82 – Pressure transmitter with CERTEC® ceramic measuring cell. Service-proven in electrolysers and low-pressure applications.
- VEGABAR 28/38 – BASIC pressure transmitters represent a cost-effective solution for simpler applications, confined spaces, and pressures up to 60 bar.
Metallic strain gauges (SG) – ideal for high-pressure applications
Strain gauge based sensors are dry, which means they do not have an oil filling. This makes them especially diffusion-stable and ideally suited for high-pressure applications, such as those commonly found in hydrogen compression and storage.
They cover pressure ranges from 100 to 1,000 bar and feature an extremely robust design.
VEGA solution:
- VEGABAR 83 – Universal pressure transmitter with metallic measuring cell. Particularly suitable for high-pressure hydrogen applications such as compressors or storage facilities
- VEGABAR 29/39 – BASIC pressure transmitters represent a cost-effective solution for simple applications and pressures up to 1,000 bar
Pressure sensors with metallic diaphragm and oil filling
This technology is widely used in hygienic applications, for example. In the case of hydrogen, however, the extremely high diffusion rate poses a problem: Hydrogen can permeate through a thin metal diaphragm and get into the oil filling, causing measurement drift over time.
To address this, VEGA offers diaphragms with a gold or gold-rhodium plating to significantly reduce diffusion – a high-quality, albeit costlier, solution.
VEGA solution:
- VEGABAR 83 – Pressure transmitter with flush-mounted diaphragm for process pressure measurement
- VEGADIF 85 – Universal differential pressure transmitter for measurement of liquids, gases and vapours
Which measuring cell is suitable for which hydrogen applications?
Ceramic CERTEC measuring cell
Typical areas of application include electrolysis, low pressure applications, and corrosive media. Pressure ranges from 0-100 bar
Metallic measuring cell (strain gauge, oil-free)
Compressors, storage, high-pressure applications. Pressure ranges from 100-1,000 bar
Metallic measuring cell (oil-filled and gold-plated)
Suitable for high-pressure applications as the pressure range is up to 600 bar.
Precise pressure instrumentation is the key to safe and reliable hydrogen processes
Whether in electrolysis, compression, or storage – choosing the right pressure measurement technology is essential for safety and efficiency in the hydrogen economy. While strain gauge sensors remain indispensable for extreme pressures, ceramic measuring cells offer clear advantages in low-pressure applications. Oil-filled diaphragm systems still have their place, but they reach their limits in hydrogen applications due to diffusion.
VEGA devices make a decisive contribution to the safe and efficient use of hydrogen as the energy carrier of the future.
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