Fibre-reinforced plastic pipes as a cost-effective alternative for electrolysers
The PolyH2Pipe project is researching the use of fibre-reinforced thermoplastic pipes as a replacement for expensive stainless steel pipes in electrolysers. Automated production processes and simple joining techniques can significantly reduce the manufacturing costs of these pipes, which offers great potential for more economical production.
Hydrogen can make an important contribution to the energy transition as a flexible energy carrier. However, the production of green hydrogen with PEM electrolysers is still very expensive. Plant costs can be saved by using cheaper materials, among other things. The use of thermoplastic pipes instead of cost-intensive steel materials offers high potential due to the availability of automated manufacturing processes and simple joining techniques, as the manufacturing costs of a continuous fiber-reinforced thermoplastic pipe are only a fraction of the purchase price of the comparable stainless steel pipe. However, conventional thermoplastic pipe systems, as used in water supply, the medium- and low-pressure range of gas supply or in pipeline applications, are not suited for the high pressures and temperatures or media resistance required for hydrogen applications.
© IKVThis project is being realized in cooperation with the Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM) and the Welding and Joining Institute (ISF) at RWTH Aachen University in three joint subprojects. These include the design and development of the pipe systems, the development of joining technologies and methods for experimentally validating the fulfillment of requirements. The project is funded by the BMWK via the IGF variant “Leading Technologies for the Energy Transition”. A project monitoring committee, largely consisting of representatives from small and medium-sized enterprises in the field, will accompany the project and thus benefit from the findings of the research project and increase their competitiveness.
The innovative approach of the “PolyH2Pipe” project (IFG project 63-65 LN) is the design of continuous fiber-reinforced pipe systems for the specific application of the plant periphery of the electrolyzer or in media lines of the fuel cell. The continuous fiber reinforced thermoplastic pipe systems combine plastic pipe properties with metal pipe compressive strengths. The project’s approach is a pipe made of several functional layers. The inner liner provides the inner geometry and serves as a winding core, the wound laminate layer provides compressive strength, and the outer jacket ensures good joining properties between pipe sections. The fourth layer is a plasma coating applied to the inner surface, which prevents the diffusion of hydrogen from the tube and ions into the media.
Project data and funding
We would like to thank the BMWK for funding the IGF project (promotional reference 63-65 LN) and the project partners for their co-operation.
Project duration: 01.11.2023 – 30.04.2026
Project partners / Funding
