WATCH | DEMONSTRATING the global company’s ability to combine technology and distribution capabilities, Air Products provided a secure supply of gases for the reactant replenishment of the fuel cells on a Portuguese Navy submarine in Cape Town earlier this year. The project was planned and executed in conjunction with Air Products’ German counterparts who have been supplying the Portuguese Navy with gases for the submarine.
Globally, Air Products has established itself as a leader in hydrogen innovation, and as a result, Air Products South Africa is strategically investing in resources to enable a secure and sustainable hydrogen supply network for the future. To date, the South African company has been involved in numerous hydrogen projects and is aligning itself for further involvement and growth in this area by strategically allocating resources towards its hydrogen distribution supply capabilities.
According to marketing and communications executive at Air Products South Africa, Arthi Govender, the company was able to supply the submarine with reactants for the fuel cell, which consisted of hydrogen tube trailers, nitrogen packs, bulk liquid medical oxygen and argon cylinders through a concerted effort between the company’s facility in Cape Town and the production facility in Gauteng. Govender says: “The team from Air Products Germany has been key to this project as they were the main point of contact between Air Products South Africa and the Portuguese Navy. We are fortunate to have the opportunity to work with our German counterparts who have been exposed to hydrogen projects of this nature. Not only do they have access to the latest equipment and technology in this field, but they are also extremely knowledgeable when it comes to hydrogen applications. We have certainly learnt a lot from this team”.
According to Govender, different modes of supply were utilised to supply the gases required by the Navy. “We had to coordinate the arrival of the liquid medical oxygen via bulk tanker, nitrogen cylinder packs and the hydrogen via our new hydrogen trailers on schedule as requested by the Navy. I am fortunate to report that I work with a capable team whose precise planning came to fruition”.