Ammonia as a Solution for the Global Hydrogen Infrastructure of the Future

Pepperl+Fuchs: Alongside the increase in electrification, hydrogen will play a crucial role as the key to the energy transition. This will involve everything from the long-term storage of energy up to the molecular replacement of all fossil fuels. Unfortunately, Germany does not have the space available to cover the full extent of future demand via its national production. Today, it is assumed that imports will be in the range of 60 to 70 percent.

Hydrogen will be transported by ship, which presents a problem. Liquefaction, for example, consumes a lot of additional energy. However, other means of transport are not yet available.

Transporting ammonia, on the other hand, is an established process, with about 20 million tons being transported every day. For this reason, well-known suppliers have made the decision to produce ammonia by combining green hydrogen with nitrogen and to transport the ammonia using the established methods.

Because it is a toxic and explosive substance, appropriate safety measures must be taken. From landing and additional transport over land to further processing steps, Pepperl+Fuchs products—such as the K-System series switch amplifiers that safely separate field devices from controllers—can be found in the systems used. A wide range of barriers can be adapted to the respective systems. Ethernet-APL switches are increasingly used for modern data transmission, enabling high data transfer rates in a secure environment.

Sensors are available for monitoring a large number of valves and reporting their respective positions.

About Pepperl+Fuchs

With 6600 employees worldwide, Pepperl+Fuchs recorded sales of EUR 790 million in 2021. The Group is one of the leading companies for industrial sensor technology and explosion protection. The headquarters in Mannheim, Germany, represents the core of the company's technical expertise, where engineers and specialists research and develop the latest technologies and products. Originally a small family business founded in 1945, Pepperl+Fuchs is now represented on all continents by more than 40 subsidiaries. Our global presence gives us the best of both worlds: the highest technical standards plus efficient, cost-effective production facilities. Pepperl+Fuchs has developed into a partner for worldwide users of automation technology, and offers the most comprehensive portfolio of tried-and-tested components for the demands of manufacturing automation and process automation.