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High plant availability in hydrogen production

Why pressure measurement in the steam reformer operates reliably and easily at Messer Industriegase

Messer produces hydrogen in a steam reformer. The facility has a large number of protection and safety devices where pressure values play an important role. Endress+Hauser measuring devices meet all the challenges of hydrogen production due to the gold-coated membrane among other things. They are reliable and provide user-friendly functions, making work easier for the Messer team.

On site at Messer's hydrogen production: Plant manager Guido Kniepper and production manager Florian Wagner talk about their working experience with Endress+Hauser.

Pressure measurement in the steam reformer operates reliably and easily at Messer Industriegase. ©Endress+Hauser

Plant manager Guido Kniepper with an employee from Endress+Hauser at the hydrogen production facility of Messer Industriegase.

Benefits

  • High plant availability

  • Accurate and reliable measurement even in very small pressure ranges

  • Time savings as the devices are easy to operate

  • Minimum training required

  • Extended maintenance intervals

Guido Kniepper, plant manager at Messer Industriegase GmbH

“The pressure measuring devices from Endress+Hauser are accurate and reliable even for small pressure measuring ranges. They are intuitive and safe to operate thanks to the digital assistants.”

Guido Kniepper, Plant manager
Messer Industriegase GmbH

Customer challenge

Pressure measurement is demanding in the steam reforming process. Requirements include temperatures up to 900 °C during production and pressures up to 200 bar during filling. The pressure in the reformer furnace is often in the millibar range. Hydrogen diffusion poses a difficult challenge. The hydrogen atoms can penetrate the metallic membrane of the oil-filled sensors. Bubbles then form in the fill fluid. This causes a zero point shift and eventually leads to a malfunction.

Our solution

The pressure and differential pressure sensors used in Messer's hydrogen production include the Cerabar PMP71B and Deltabar PMD75B. Endress+Hauser has installed pressure gauges in Messer's steam reformer that meet the special requirements of hydrogen production:

  • A 25µ-thick gold coating reliably prevents hydrogen diffusion through the membrane into the pressure cell.

  • The devices monitor themselves automatically without interrupting plant operation.

  • A digital assistant guides users through commissioning, maintenance and SIL proof testing step by step.

  • The Bluetooth connection facilitates convenient access to the device.

  • Simple products

  • Easy to select, install and operate

Technical excellence

Simplicity

  • Standard products

  • Reliable, robust and low-maintenance

Technical excellence

Simplicity

  • High-end products

  • Highly functional and convenient

Technical excellence

Simplicity

  • Specialized products

  • Designed for demanding applications

Technical excellence

Simplicity

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FLEX selections Technical excellence Simplicity
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Fundamental selection

Meet your basic measurement needs

Technical excellence
Simplicity
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Handle your core processes easily

Technical excellence
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Optimize your processes with innovative technologies

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Master your most challenging applications

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