Climate change is one of the most pressing challenges of our time and requires a rethink in the use of renewable energy sources in motor vehicles, among other things. In addition to electric drive systems in e-cars, fuel cell technology or hydrogen is also a sustainable energy source and is becoming increasingly important. Vehicles that run on hydrogen are environmentally friendly, emission-free in operation and have comparable ranges to vehicles with combustion engines. This makes hydrogen interesting not only for passenger cars, but also for local public transport or long-distance transportation. Due to its high energy density, fast refueling and long range, hydrogen is also particularly suitable for trucks.

As a pioneer in H2 refueling technology, WALTHER-PRÄZISION, which specializes in the development and manufacture of high-quality mono and multi-couplings as well as docking systems, also offers technical solutions for hydrogen applications and has thus made a significant contribution to setting standards for high-pressure hydrogen technology - and this will continue to distinguish the company in the future, as the solutions on display at HANNOVER MESSE 2024 demonstrate.

Reliable H2 refueling system with emergency disconnect coupling for trucks

Hydrogen as an energy source in trucks has a number of advantages. These include, for example, the high energy density, which ensures that vehicles with hydrogen fuel cells can also transport large loads without significantly affecting the range. Furthermore, hydrogen refueling is significantly faster compared to electric charging processes and the truck is ready for use again in just a few minutes. Hydrogen is used for refueling in different aggregate states and at different temperature and pressure levels. WALTHER-PRÄZISION offers special refueling systems for gaseous hydrogen with pressures of 700 bar or 350 bar, whereby the high-flow (HF) variant is designed for temperatures down to minus 40 degrees Celsius. The H2 refueling systems from WALTHER-PRÄZISION have a very high flow rate with a low pressure drop and a refueling time comparable to conventional fuels. They are not only intended for trucks, but also for cars, forklift trucks, trailers or other larger consumers.

Comprehensive range for hydrogen refueling

The WALTHER-PRÄZISION range includes several products between the transfer of hydrogen from the filling pump, the dispenser and the vehicle. These include the vehicle filling nozzle, the so-called nozzle, a suitable high-pressure hose package and the emergency disconnect device on the tank hose. In addition, WALTHER-PRÄZISION also offers a suitable parking station for the nozzle, which is adapted to the requirements of cryogenic hydrogen.

Safety is paramount

Hydrogen refueling always requires a pressure-tight mechanical fixation of the filling nozzle on the vehicle. For safety reasons, an emergency disconnect coupling, the so-called "break-away", is therefore mandatory on every filling hose. It is fitted in the supply line between the dispenser and nozzle. If, for example, a vehicle moves away from the dispenser without uncoupling, this break-away disconnects the tank hose, which is still firmly connected to the vehicle, at full filling pressure and safely and reliably interrupts the refueling process.

Emergency disconnection device decouples completely non-destructively

This prevents hydrogen from escaping and creating an explosive gas mixture, which is potentially dangerous. A braking device also ensures that people in the breakaway zone are not injured by the loose hose end. The emergency disconnection device uncouples the hose completely non-destructively, so that the refueling system is ready for operation again in just a few skilled steps.

Video