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Clean Energy Standards Guide
Proven Products for the Future of Transportation
But where to start? On-vehicle systems require dozens of components to operate reliably. Each of these components should be tested and proven to deliver reliable performance.
This guide will help simplify component selection, enabling you to navigate the industry’s testing and documentation landscape. Additionally, you can explore Swagelok’s complete portfolio of components that meet and exceed today’s most relevant testing protocols for hydrogen and CNG transportation.
Let’s get started.
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Clean Energy Standards Explained
While there is no single global standard for clean energy transportation, there are several standards that maintain significant influence in the industry. The most prominent and established include:
| Hydrogen Standards: | CNG Standards: |
|---|---|
| ECE R134 | NGV 3.1 |
| HGV 3.1 | ECE R110 |
| ISO 12619 | ISO 15500 |
| ASME B31.3/ASME B31.12 | ASME B31.3 |
| EC 791 |
1As of July 5, 2022, the EC79/2009 regulation was repealed by the European Union, with existing EC79 certificates retaining their validity. Swagelok has products that have been tested in accordance with the EC79 standards with letters of attestation.
For engineers and system designers, however, the most important criterion to seek out is not necessarily the certification itself but whether full testing to the standards test protocol has been conducted by a third-party laboratory.
Components that have been independently tested in such fashion have demonstrated equal (or better) performance to those that bear the full certification. Additionally, components that have demonstrated extensive use in industry as certified by the supplier are equally suited for use as fully certified products. This means engineers and system designers should seek full testing documentation and/or extensive industry use when specifying components.
Testing is performed to a wide range of performance criteria, including corrosion testing, burst testing, hydraulic testing, vibration testing, pressure testing, and more. Appropriate documentation can be obtained from your manufacturer and can be generally broken down as follows:
International certification/listing: Full certification through an international notified body with continuing monitoring.
Third-party test report: A full and detailed third-party test report describing testing that has been completed based on specific test protocols per international standards.
Letter of attestation: A third-party letter describing testing that has been completed based on specific test protocols per international standards. Letters of attestation may include testing to multiple standards.
Tech letter: Letter describing Swagelok’s approach to how we met a specific set of requirements, such as ASME B31.3. Available upon request from your authorized sales and service center.
Declaration/Declaration of Conformity: A third-party declaration to results of testing for one specific standard.
Products that maintain letters of attestation or third-party test reports can be expected to perform equally to those that bear official international certification and therefore can be specified for on-vehicle applications.
Pressure Classes Explained
In clean transportation applications, gas is stored and transferred at high pressures in order to maximize energy density. Natural gas is stored at 248 bar pressure. The two pressure classes for hydrogen are:
350 Bar
This pressure class commonly includes components used in vehicles with shorter range. 350 bar is the nominal working pressure. Products are tested to their pressure rating that is equal to the maximum allowable working pressure of 437.5 bar for on vehicle applications.
700 Bar
This pressure class commonly includes components used in vehicles that needs a higher energy density for longer range. 700 bar is the nominal working pressure. Products are tested to their pressure rating that is equal to the maximum allowable working pressure of 875 bar for on vehicle applications.
The relevant standards and certifications described earlier set performance thresholds for both pressure classes. For example, a component may have the necessary documented testing performance for 350 bar but not for 700 bar. Be sure to consult with your component supplier to obtain the necessary testing data for each class depending on the needs of your application.
Products You Can Trust
Swagelok maintains broad testing and approvals for use in hydrogen and CNG transportation applications across our product portfolio. We can help you achieve:
Safe storage and transfer of hydrogen and CNG at high pressures to deliver the desired energy densities and operational ranges.
Consistent delivery of critical components, assemblies, and custom solutions that keep projects on schedule.
Durability and dependability due to stainless steel components having higher alloy content to provide enhanced corrosion resistance.
Browse:
Swagelok® Tube Fittings
Swagelok tube fittings are designed to meet your highest expectations for safety and dependability, featuring proven design, precise manufacturing, and superior raw materials. They have met and exceeded the relevant testing procedures for all major hydrogen and CNG certifications and standards. This product line has qualified for “extensive use in industry” due to its historic use in hydrogen and CNG pressure applications.
- 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 15, 16 mm
- 1/4, 3/8, 1/2, 5/8, 3/4 in.
- Straight, elbow, tee, cross
- 45° (1/4 in. to 1/2 in.)
- Reducers, bulkheads
- NPT
- ST, STH (ST-H2, STH-H2) including 3ST
- WVCO (1/4 in.)
- CW (limited)
- Tube adapters, port connectors
- AbT (1/4 in. to 1/2 in.)
| Hydrogen Standards | LOA | 3rd-Party Test Report | Certification/ Listing |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ECE R134* | 350 bar | 350 bar | ||
| 700 bar | 700 bar | |||
| HGV 3.1 | 350 bar | 350 bar | ||
| 700 bar | 700 bar | |||
| ISO 12619 | 350 bar | 350 bar | ||
| 700 bar | 700 bar | |||
| ASME B31.3/B31.12 | Yes: Tech letter available | |||
| EC79 | 350 bar | 350 bar | 350 bar | |
| 700 bar | 700 bar | 700 bar | ||
| CNG Standards | LOA | 3rd-Party Test Report | Certification/ Listing |
|---|---|---|---|
| NGV 3.1 | ✓ | ✓ | |
| ECE R110 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISO 15500 | ✓ | ✓ | |
| ASME B31.3 |
FK Series Medium-Pressure Tube Fittings
Because the two-piece design of Swagelok® FK series medium-pressure tube fittings can be made up by turns or by torque, these components can reduce installation time and lower maintenance costs. These fittings provide a vibration-resistant, leak-tight, and robust connection that protects workers and the environment. They make an ideal choice for on-vehicle hydrogen transportation applications. This product line has qualified for “extensive use in industry” due to its historic use in hydrogen and CNG pressure applications.
- 6, 8, 10, 12, 16 mm
- 1/4, 3/8, 1/2, 9/16, 3/4 in.
- Straight, elbow, tee, cross
- Reducers, bulkheads
- NPT
- ST, STH
- WVCO (1/4 in.)
- CW (limited), MP4, MP6
- Tube adapters, port connectors
Note: FK series fittings testing and certifications apply to hydrogen standards only.
| Hydrogen Standards | LOA | 3rd-Party Test Report | Certification/ Listing |
|---|---|---|---|
| ECE R134* | 700 bar | 700 bar | |
| HGV 3.1 | 700 bar | 700 bar | |
| ISO 12619 | 700 bar | 700 bar | |
| ASME B31.3/B31.12 | 700 bar | 700 bar | |
| EC79 | 700 bar | 700 bar | 700 bar |
Valves
Swagelok offers a wide range of valves that deliver leak-tight, long-lasting performance in clean energy applications. Known for durability derived from carefully controlled manufacturing practices, our valves have been tested to the standards of numerous hydrogen and CNG certifications. This product line has qualified for “extensive use in industry” due to its historic use in hydrogen and CNG pressure applications.
- CH4 and CH8 series
- All catalog end connections
- AFS ball valve
- All handle options and colors
- Swagelok, female NPT, RG fitting ends
- All handle options
- Swagelok, NPT fitting ends
- L83, 83, 83X, 83P series
- All handle options
- Swagelok and NPT fitting ends
NPT and SAE end connections
- XS4, XS6 and XS8 series
- Swagelok, NPT and SAE fittings
| Hydrogen Standards | LOA | 3rd-Party Test Report | Certification/ Listing |
|---|---|---|---|
| ECE R134* | 350 bar | 350 bar | |
| HGV 3.1 | 350 bar | 350 bar | |
| ISO 12619 | 350 bar | 350 bar | |
| EC79 | 350 bar | 350 bar | 350 bar1 |
1Excludes 83 Series valves and bleed valves.
2Except for AFS and SK valves; limited options for end connections and handle configuration.
| CNG Standards | LOA | 3rd-Party Test Report | Certification/ Listing |
|---|---|---|---|
| NGV 3.1 | ✓ | ✓ | |
| ECE R1102 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISO 15500 | ✓ | ✓ |
NVT manual valves:
| Hydrogen Standards | LOA | 3rd-Party Test Report | Certification/ Listing |
|---|---|---|---|
| HGV 3.1 | 700 bar | 700 bar | |
| ISO 12619 | 700 bar | 700 bar | |
| ISO 19880-3 | ✓ | ||
| EC79 | 700 bar | 700 bar |
- NVT 6
- Cone and thread, FK, NPT fitting ends
Note: NVT manual valve testing and certifications apply to hydrogen standards only.
Filters
Swagelok offers a variety of filters to help remove liquid or particulate contaminants from critical fluid systems. Our selection for clean transportation applications has met several important certification criteria, granting you peace of mind when specifying.
4TF, 6TF, 8TF:- Swagelok and NPT fitting ends
- Swagelok and NPT fitting ends
| Hydrogen Standards | LOA | 3rd-Party Test Report | Certification/ Listing |
|---|---|---|---|
| ECE R134* | 350 bar | 350 bar | |
| HGV 3.1 | 350 bar | 350 bar | |
| ISO 12619 | 350 bar | 350 bar | |
| EC79 | 350 bar | 350 bar | 350 bar |
| CNG Standards | LOA | 3rd-Party Test Report | Certification/ Listing |
|---|---|---|---|
| NGV 3.1 | 350 bar | 350 bar | 350 bar |
| ECE R110 | 350 bar | 350 bar | |
| ISO 15500 | 350 bar | 350 bar |
Services and Additional Offerings
At Swagelok, we are focused on the customer’s experience and provide services ranging from technical assistance and training to special product designs and assemblies. Many of these services originate with our authorized sales and service centers, which are grounded in the local connection to customers. Through our global resources and local presence, we are positioned to help our customers efficiently and effectively address a broad range of issues.
Material Control
To manufacture industry-leading products, we start by using the best available raw materials. Our stringent supplier standards ensure only the highest-quality metals are sourced from mills that meet our rigorous expectations. Before an order is placed, we start by documenting requirements for chemistry, material properties, processing, testing, reporting, and source control. Then, we inspect the materials upon arrival and trace their use throughout the manufacturing process.
Onsite Services
We can work onsite with you to recommend solutions based on the emissions performance of fittings and end connections in your applications. Swagelok field engineers will visit your production facilities to help you attain optimal performance from fluid systems on vehicles, at mobile or stationary refueling stations, or within the facility. In the process, we will help you minimize spending, production downtime, and potential safety hazards and environmental risks.
Materials Science Training
Choosing the right corrosion-resistant materials helps keep fluid systems leak-tight. Learn which alloys and polymers are compatible with clean energy applications and how industry standards impact your choices. Swagelok® materials science training is for engineers, supervisors, purchasing agents, technical associates, and anyone involved in the materials selection process.
Vendor Managed Inventory
Make sure the products you need are always on hand. Our local sales and service centers can assist you with inventory optimizing, organizing, labeling, kitting, and reordering to prevent stockouts and reduce the risk of downtime. Also, avoid transaction fees and getting bogged down by surplus items with carefully managed onsite consignment cabinets.
Design and Assembly Services
If you’re short on labor, we can fabricate, assemble, and test your fluid system assemblies for you. Whether you need a small assembly with a few components or a complete panel or enclosure, our fluid system specialists are here to help.
Ushering in a New Era of Clean Transportation—Together
With our complete suite of high-quality, fully tested components for clean energy vehicles, we’re ready to help you make a cleaner future a reality. Let us help you realize:
- Optimal production
- Improved uptime and reliability
- Assured performance in critical applications
- Compliance with regulatory standards
A strategically located network of sales and service centers offers Swagelok solutions around the world. Get in touch today to get started.