HAVER & BOECKER

With H2 into the future

Because it's time to rethink!

More and more companies are taking responsibility for future generations by implementing sustainability into their strategies. This includes the use of renewable energies such as wind power and photovoltaics. To be able to use them regardless of the weather and time of day, green hydrogen serves as a valuable energy storage medium. Unlike fossil fuels, hydrogen (H₂) is sufficiently available, but only in bound form (e.g., H₂O). Research is continuously developing efficient and economical processes to separate these molecules.

In cooperation with companies and institutes, Haver & Boecker also contributes to finding solutions: Wire mesh is an important component of hydrogen production and use. Other areas of hydrogen technology also benefit from using this versatile medium. We are happy to support you in taking on individual challenges and finding answers. Because one thing is certain: green hydrogen always raises new questions.

Maximum efficiency is not only the ultimate goal when dealing with hydrogen but also the greatest challenge:

How can as much hydrogen as possible be produced and used with existing energy?

The answer lies in optimising every process of the hydrogen cycle and all the compounds involved - from the extraction of renewable energy to the purity of the water supplied.

Discover the energy source(s) of the future with us! We supply the wire mesh for this.

Production of hydrogen

Wire mesh is ideally suited for use in electrolysis, in the form of a catalyst coating as anode and cathode.

Ultra-pure water quality

Precise water treatment is a prerequisite for H₂ production: the use of metal mesh filters enables the finest particles and organisms to be retained.

Transport and storage

Hydrogen is stored under extreme conditions via ammonia (NH₃) and transported in this state. Wire mesh fabricated parts with filter mesh and plastic injection moulding (see illustration) retain foreign matter such as soot.

In addition, hydrogen can be collected in a gaseous state under high pressures of 700 bar or in a liquid state at temperatures of -253°C.

Generating "green" energy

Our screen printing mesh is ideal for the metallisation of solar panels.

Use of hydrogen

Whether in mobility as a component of fuel cells and fuel filters or in electrical engineering as explosion protection:
The advantages of wire mesh are also convincing when dealing with hydrogen.

Production of "green" hydrogen

Woven wire cloth successfully used in electrolysis processes

Various processes are used to produce hydrogen (e.g., steam or plasma reforming).
However, it is electrolysis that leads to producing "green" hydrogen in the end:

Alkaline electrolysis
PEM electrolysis
High-temperature electrolysis

Electrolysers split water into its components, hydrogen and oxygen. The electrodes form the heart of these electrolysers.

Wire mesh offers optimal conditions for this, as a component of the anode and cathode, to contribute to efficient and rapid hydrogen production.

Exact geometric structuresThe mesh structure of wire mesh is very homogeneous, can be precisely defined in advance and is so stable that it can withstand even higher pressures. Therefore, wire mesh is excellently suited as a carrier material for catalyst layers, e.g. made of nickel-carbon. This combination offers the hydrogen atoms the largest possible surface for adhesion.Read on

[Translate to English:] Gewebemuster in unterschiedlichen Werkstoffen

Conductivity and corrosion resistance guaranteedTo separate hydrogen and oxygen, the conductivity of the electrodes is crucial. Nickel mesh is conductive and has the necessary resistance to hydrogen and the potassium hydroxide solution (KOH) used in connection with alkaline electrolysis. But not all nickel is the same: special alloying elements make the difference.Read on

Use of hydrogen

Wire mesh in mobility and electrical engineering

With the rapid development in research, the number of industries that use hydrogen as an energy source is also increasing. As an example of the diversity of these industries, we will focus more specifically on mobility and electrical engineering.

In the end, we are mobile - completely without pollutants

Fuel cells are used in cars, aircrafts, and even ships as a source of electrical energy released during the chemical reaction of hydrogen and oxygen.

Many individual stacks form a powerful fuel cell. The thinner the cells are, the greater the number that can be accommodated in a limited installation space. This results in a higher output of electrical energy at the same time.

Hydrogen oxidises at the anode and gives off electrons. This is how the electric current is generated. Wire mesh with a catalyst coating forms the gas diffusion layer (GDL) in a fuel cell or the porous transport layer (PTL) in an electrolyser.

A stack forms the heart of the PEM fuel cell system.
^{Source: Referenzfabrik.H2}

The diameter of this fabricated part is just 12 mm.

Keeping the fuel clean

Refuelling a vehicle with hydrogen takes place under an enormously high pressure of up to 700 bar.
Therefore, the filter mesh that holds back impurities in the tank nozzle must be even more stable.

Robust wire mesh laminate has proven to be the ideal solution for this cone screen in the hydrogen tank nozzle.

Protection and optimisation in heating systems

Wire mesh prevents flashback into the supply line.

Important properties are temperature resistance and corrosion resistance to the hydrogen-air mixture. The material selection is based on such technical specifications as well as experience from comparable projects.

A multi-layer woven wire mesh pressed part is already being used successfully as explosion protection in electromobility and the chemical industry.

At the same time, wire mesh already ensures optimal heat distribution in heaters with its homogeneous pore structure. The pore accuracy of the mesh is crucial for using even valuable hydrogen efficiently and in an environmentally friendly way.

A wire mesh pressed part prevents the arc from striking through and at the same time, enables gas-air exchange.

We supply everything from a single source

Precise mesh processing is what counts

The wire mesh is given a defined thickness

The wire mesh is given a defined thicknessAs with precision screen printing, precise powder application is also important for catalyst coating of the substrate. The smoothed metal mesh has the effect of reducing deviations in the print layer thickness and wear on the squeegee. In addition, it becomes thinner in this way, so that (as in the example of the automotive industry) a larger number of fuel cells form a stack.Read on

Strips with edge protectionIn order not to waste any coating area, very good edge processing of the wire mesh strips is essential. A precise cutting technique and repeated thermal treatment to secure the edge wires ensure maximum use of the wire mesh as a substrate material.Read on

Ultra-pure water quality through water treatment

Clean water for the effective production and use of hydrogen

Water treatment plays a decisive role in carrying out electrolysis and varies depending on the water source (surface water, seawater) and the quality required (ultrapure water).

The use of hydrogen in fuel cells is also optimised by filtered water, as oxidation at the anode (release of electrons) succeeds in the best possible way.