Success Story
AC²T Hydrogen Testhouse
Application oriented testing in hydrogen atmosphere
Hydrogen - the CO2-free energy carrier
Hydrogen as a CO2-free energy carrier is a key technology for accelerating decarbonization and achieving climate targets. For the economically and ecologically profitable use of hydrogen, new systems and plants – both for energy use and for energy storage – with high efficiency and a long service life are required. This requires redesigning of systems and new reliable materials.
In cooperation with industrial partners, AC²T is developing a research infrastructure specializing in hydrogen, the “Test House”, in order to investigate materials, lubricants, and components for the use in a hydrogen atmosphere. The test house comprises over 1 100 m2 of state-of-the-art test benches that enable the development of new materials and lubricants under a wide range of operating conditions.
Linear Oscillating Tribometer under Gas Atmosphere - LOTuGA
The LOTuGA was developed together with Leobersdorfer Maschinenfabrik GmbH to simulate the tribological system of piston ring and mating surface under realistic operating conditions of a reciprocating compressor. The systems for load application, drive, and temperature control allow materials to be tested under realistic contact pressures, speeds, and temperatures in different gas atmospheres.
Schwing-Reib-Verschleiß with H2 test cell (H2-SRV®)
The H2-SRV® (see cover picture) is a model tribometer that has been developed for various applications in a hydrogen atmosphere. It enables the investigation of material pairings under a pressure of up to 150 bar and at temperatures of up to 150 °C, e.g. for H2 combustion engines or valves.
Gas solubility cell and high-pressure cell
In order to investigate the static influence of hydrogen on lubricants, materials and coatings, liquid and solid samples are stored in high-pressure gas cells. In the gas solubility cell set up at AC²T, the time course of the absorption of hydrogen in samples is deter-mined under pressurized loads of up to 200 bar. This provides insights into the long-term behavior and resistance of lubricants and materials. The high-pressure cell also allows samples to be stored at up to 1000 bar in a hydrogen atmosphere.
Impacts and effects
Thanks to the comprehensive testing options, new materials such as elastomers, thin films and lubricants can be examined and tested specifically for hydrogen applications.
Projectcoordination (Story)
Dr.mont. Andreas Nevosad
Leader research area
AC2T research GmbH
This success story was provided by AC2T research GmbH and by the mentioned project partners for the purpose of being published on the FFG website. InTribology2 is a COMET Centre within COMET – Competence Centers of Excellent Technologies Programme and funded by BMIMI and BMWET and the federal states of Niederösterreich and Vorarlberg. The COMET Programme is managed by FFG. Further information on COMET: www.ffg.at/comet
