New Energy: LNG, Hydrogen & Solar Instrumentation Components

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LNG and cryogenic duty

Austenitic stainless steel keeps toughness down to cryogenic temperature, so 316 and 316L bodies and stems stay ductile at -321 F. Ferritic and martensitic grades do not, so the range excludes them from liquid service and ratings follow ASME B31.3 practice.

Pockets holding liquid methane raise pressure as they warm, so drain and purge paths matter as much as the pressure rating. Cold-box and loading-arm lines use extended-bonnet valves and manifolds. Compression and welded joints tolerate thermal cycling better than flanges.

Hydrogen service

Gaseous hydrogen at pressure reduces the ductility of many steels. Austenitic 316 and 316L resist embrittlement better than carbon or ferritic grades, and hardness is held down to limit cracking at seat and thread roots. Final selection follows ASME B31.12 or your own specification.

Elastomeric seals and hose cores pass hydrogen slowly. Welded or metal-gasket joints and metal-to-metal seats are safer for tight shutoff than elastomer-seated parts. Electrolyser trains, fuel-cell benches and refuelling equipment use UHP diaphragm valves, weld fittings and cleaned small-body regulators.

Solar thermal duty

Solar thermal fittings and valves see the hardest duty in the loop. Heat transfer oil reaches about 750 F (400 C), higher during stagnation, and the circuit cools to ambient nightly, so leak paths form at the connection and stem seal.

Metal seats and graphite or metal gaskets withstand that cycle better than soft seals, and a bellows-sealed valve keeps the medium from the packing. Molten salt solidifies at 428 F, so connections need trace heating. Tube ends cover 1/16 in to 1 in.

Standards referenced: NPT threads to ASME B1.20.1; BSPT threads to ISO 7-1; Hydrogen service selection to ASME B31.12 and ISO 19880-1; Pressure-temperature ratings to ASME B31.3 practice for austenitic stainless steel.

Typical duties: LNG liquefaction, storage and regasification; Hydrogen production, compression and refuelling; Electrolyser and fuel-cell gas circuits; Solar thermal and parabolic trough loops; Molten-salt and thermal-oil instrumentation; Lithium and battery materials plants.

Recommended product families

• Needle Valves
• Ball Valves
• Gauge Valves & Manifolds
• Double Ferrule Fittings
• Hose Assemblies

Frequently asked questions

Is standard 316 suitable for hydrogen service?

Austenitic 316 and 316L is the usual choice for gaseous hydrogen, and the range includes valves and fittings with lower-hardness stems and metal-to-metal seats. Acceptance depends on your pressure, purity and cycle count, so selection follows ASME B31.12 or your specification.

What is supplied for LNG temperature service?

Austenitic stainless steel bodies and stems with extended bonnets, plus check valves, needle valves and manifolds arranged so no pocket traps liquid. Compression or welded connections are recommended over gasketed joints for thermal cycling. Metal or PTFE seats replace elastomeric seals at low temperature.

Which documents come with an order?

Mill certificates for wetted parts, dimensional inspection records, pressure and leak test records, and a packing list matching the order. Helium leak testing on assembled valves is arranged at order stage, and third-party inspection you nominate can be arranged.