SRJ Technologies Group PLC (ASX:SRJ) has further progressed the development of its hydrogen compatible pipe technology.
The specialised engineering services and containment management solutions company kicked off its project with a detailed analysis of the future hydrogen market, the demand for leak sealing, mechanical connectors, isolation, repair and integrity solutions that can deal with the complexities of handling hydrogen.
There are opportunities for SRJ in all of these segments.
Hydrogen demand to grow
The project comes at a time when demand for hydrogen is set to increase significantly around the world.
In Australia, it is a key plank of the government’s 2050 net-zero strategy.
Read: Explainer: Why hydrogen is set to play a major role in the future of energy
However, this is a global movement.
The Australian Financial Review has reported that, “Almost every country’s pavilion ran an event on hydrogen. Many had their hydrogen strategy or plan pinned to the wall. And even when the topic wasn’t hydrogen, somehow it always came up.”
It went on to say, “Although hydrogen is hard to compress and transport, and can be leaky and flammable, the planet-friendly menu of use-cases is compelling. It can act as the storage mechanism for intermittent renewable energy. It can become the fuel for trucks, ships and planes. It can travel down domestic natural gas pipelines and heat people’s homes.”
Hydrogen will play a significant role in low-carbon energy systems, however, there will be challenges including but not limited to the storage and transport of hydrogen gas and other hydrogen-bearing compounds, which has been shown, in some circumstances, to cause hydrogen embrittlement or cracking in the welds of transmissions pipelines.
Emerging hydrogen compliant products
SRJ’s project focuses on the proof of concept, manufacturing and commercialisation of a new weld-free coupling technology, but will also investigate the technology and demand for asset integrity solutions for non-metallic pipework and pipeline applications.
Pure hydrogen is the smallest molecule on the periodic table and has containment challenges as it can easily pass through certain materials.
A hydrogen-based energy system will challenge the norms for maintenance and repair to ensure security of supply.
SRJ is working with Curtin University’s world-class Corrosion Centre, which will play a key role in the investigation and testing of SRJ’s emerging hydrogen compliant products.
The Curtin Corrosion Centre conducts high-quality research in corrosion and materials related to the petroleum, mining, chemical processing, defence, maritime, automotive, and biomedical industries.
SRJ is positioning itself as a first-mover in this technologically demanding market.
“We are excited to have commenced this project and at the extended market opportunities it will bring. We also see our partnership with Curtin University’s Corrosion Centre as critical to validate our developed IP for this global emerging market,” SRJ CEO Alexander Wood said.