KEPNER PRODUCTS CO — Department of Energy SBIR Phase I: C56-18g

Description

Check valves perform an important role in the liquid hydrogen infrastructure, allowing flow in only one direction and self-closing to prevent potentially damaging backward flow. Growth in liquid hydrogen fueling markets requires reducing the cost of hydrogen, from liquefaction to delivery to end user. High flow rates are necessary to match customer’s acceptable refueling time. Check valves currently used for liquid hydrogen service are expensive and have operating and energy inefficiencies, such as hydrogen loss due to leakage (both internally and externally). Another inefficiency is two-phase flow, involving the formation and collapse of hydrogen gas bubbles in the liquid, caused by pressure drop across the valve. This reduces the delivered mass flow rate. Flashing and cavitation are common with cryogenic systems and can damage infrastructure components, and compromise the check valve’s ability to prevent reverse flow. This project proposal is to develop an improved check valve with commercially available materials to handle the problems mentioned above, and thus enhance infrastructure safety and operating efficiency for reducing hydrogen cost. It takes significant energy and cost to liquefy hydrogen, and so preventing hydrogen leakage is critical. Our check valve objectives are: bubble-tight shutoff in reverse flow direction at cryogenic temperatures, high mass flow rate, excellent flow dynamics, dependable performance and long service life, and economical. Phase 1 will focus on proof of concept through valve design, materials qualification, and prototype testing. Advanced fluid dynamics analysis will be used to help design the valve. Materials qualification will include proving an effective and durable seal under cryogenic conditions. A flow test loop will be used evaluate check valve performance. Liquid hydrogen fueling is at an early commercialization stage. This market will grow as a renewable energy with help from system components, such as our check valve, that improve efficiencies and reduce costs.