Study of potential leakage on several stressed fittings for hydrogen pressures up to 700 bar

In order to improve risk analyses and influence the design of the future H₂ systems, an experimental study on “real” leaks qualification and quantification was performed. In H₂ energy applications, fittings appeared as a significant leakage potential and subsequently explosion and flame hazards. Thus, as a part of the “Horizon Hydrogène Energie” French program, four kinds of commercial fittings usually employed on H₂ systems were tested thanks to a new high pressure test bench – designed, setup and operated by INERIS – allowing experiments to be led for H₂ pressures until 700 bar. The fittings underwent defined stresses representative of H₂ systems lifetime and beyond. The associated leaks – when existing – are characterized in terms of flow rate.     

Nanocrystalline Powders Based on ZrO2 for Biomedical Applications and Power Engineering

An 80 mass% ZrO₂ ― 20 mass% Al₂O₃ powder was produced using a complex method which integrates sol-gel technology and hydrothermal synthesis. The specific surface areas of the powder varied from 39 to 5.3 m²/g depending on the thermal treatment conditions. Metastable F-ZrO₂ formed after powder annealing at 400°C. The phase transformation F-ZrO₂ → T-ZrO₂ (traces of M-ZrO₂) occurred under powder thermal treatment from 700 to 1000°C. Only Θ-Al₂O₃ was detected under experimental conditions. The powder was characterized by sintering activity. Operating the processes under powder thermal treatment in the ZrO₂ ― Y₂O₃ ― CeO₂ ― Al₂O₃ system will allow one to produce a variety of ceramic microstructures from fine-grained to “self-reinforced.” These powders can be used in manufacturing surgical cutting tools as well as in ceramic passive bioimplants and solid electrolytes for fuel elements.