On-Site Hydrogen Generation Simplifies Surfaces Coatings Infrastructure

Coating technologies are revolutionizing manufacturing by enabling surfaces to exhibit specific, tailored performance attributes that may be importantly different from the bulk material beneath. Thermal barrier, hardness, anti-galling, reflectivity, color, electrical conductivity, and surface roughness are all examples of surface properties that can be dramatically changed with the use of performance coatings. Most coatings technologies that utilize thermal or electrical energy to apply coating use hydrogen as an important contributor to coating integrity. For the majority of coating techniques in use, hydrogen serves several purposes: provides a surface protective reducing atmosphere, stabilizes plasma arc in plasma processes, may be burned to provide thermal energy for application, and increases thermal conductivity of the gaseous mixture. Hydrogen availability is required for most coating technologies. As a highly hazardous chemical under OSHA regulations, the delivery, storage and use of hydrogen is highly regulated. One pound of hydrogen has the chemical energy of 23 pounds of TNT, making it extremely hazardous to store, and requiring care and expertise in use. OSHA and NFPA have specific guidelines that regulate delivery and storage of hydrogen. Modern on-site hydrogen generation technology makes it possible and economical to generate hydrogen on-site and without inventory. The equipment stores no hydrogen, considerably simplifying compliance, and making it possible to use hydrogen in facilities that otherwise could not otherwise be made hydrogen-safe at an acceptable cost. The discussion will focus on the on-site generation of hydrogen, and how that is accelerating the acceptance of new coating technologies.