The Gas and Fuel section focuses mainly on equipment required for the production, transfer, and use of combustible media. As regards gases, we strive to cover all of them, the focus being on energy gases. In addition, equipment required with cryogenic media is included.

Combustible media require fire-safe and explosion-protected equipment. As regards fire safety, the products are made of absolutely non-combustible materials, such as metal-sealed seat valves with graphite sealsor have passed some of the numerous standardised fire safety tests. As regards explosion protection, the range includes equipment complying with ATEX requirements. Our range also includes emergency shut-off valves that close the pipeline in less than a second and flame dampers preventing the flame front from progressing.

Numerous other devices are inherently required to ensure safety: Safety valves, vent valves for tanks, rupture discs, and pressure and vacuum relief valves making sure the pressures remain within safe limits. Use of security interlocks ensures that valves are operated in an authorised manner and in the correct order. Quick-action blinding devices allow convenient and safe isolation of the piping for the duration of maintenance works, for example.

Emissions from the seals of piping and equipment pollute the environment and render working conditions unpleasant. In addition, all leaks, including emissions, constitute losses of piping content. As a general alternative, emissions are minimised with the help of welded joints and high-quality graphite seals. For example, the majority of the valves in our gas and fuel range have been granted the ISO 15848-1 or TA-Luft emission certificate. In the case of installations or media (for example, hydrogen) problematic from the viewpoint of emissions, we recommend valve solutions with bellows seals.

Fuel temperature, flow, and composition can be controlled with the help of manual measurement and sampling. After data acquisition, the fuel quality can be controlled by means of control valves and mixing valves. For this purpose, we also offer factory-made complete assemblies tailored to the customers’ needs.

Equipment intended for cryogenic use are designed and manufactured to withstand extreme cold. In the case of the materials, cold resistance necessary for ensuring safe use is always considered. In connection with cryogenic gasification, it must be ensured that the cold cannot escape to the warm side. This can be achieved by a cold protection system that closes the pipes if the temperature drops too low.

In modern plants, energy flows are managed comprehensively. For example, the significantly lower temperatures of cryogenic media as compared to ambient temperature provide an excellent possibility for utilisation of this temperature difference. High-quality insulation, such as double casing pipes, for example, keeps the temperature well under control. Energy can be recovered from the temperature difference using microturbines, for example. Efficient heat exchange between media can be achieved by means of plate heat exchangers.

A steel casing pipe suitable for gaseous – now also cryogenic – media is presented in the section Energy solutions.