Hydrogen is today one of the pillars of the energy transition: a zero-emissions carrier applicable to heavy industry, mobility and energy production and storage. Its large-scale use has, however, made it necessary to define dedicated safety standards, starting with ISO 19880-3.

The reason is that hydrogen is not an easy gas to handle: extremely small, often at high pressure and capable of embrittling metals. This is where hydrogen valves come in — shut-off components that keep it safely under control, with materials resistant to embrittlement and seals that withstand rapid decompression.

OMAL produces them for the entire H2 supply chain, from 25 to 700 bar, with a product that pioneered the sector: the PN700 H2 Invictus ball valve.

Types of hydrogen valves
OMAL's range of hydrogen valves covers a pressure range from 25 to 700 bar, with four types differing in geometry and operating range, all automatable through pneumatic actuators produced in-house.

It starts with the ARES angle valve up to 25 bar, moves up to the MAGNUM and THOR floating ball valves up to 150 bar and the SUPREME trunnion ball valve up to 400 bar, and reaches the high-pressure hydrogen ball valve at 700 bar, the H2 Invictus. For transport the range also includes the KRATOS, certified T-PED.

Valve type
Nominal pressure
Angle valve — ARES
up to 25 bar
Floating ball valve — MAGNUM, THOR
up to 150 bar
Trunnion ball valve — SUPREME
up to 400 bar
High-pressure hydrogen ball valve — H2 Invictus
up to 700 bar

Materials and seals also play a decisive role. Against hydrogen embrittlement OMAL uses 316 stainless steel for the bodies, as in its stainless steel ball valves, and NITRONIC 50 (XM-19) for balls and stems, an austenitic steel little susceptible to the phenomenon.

The seals come from a proprietary pairing of modified PTFE and DEVLON, joined on high pressure by lip seals of our own design for rapid decompression.

Applications in the hydrogen supply chain
The valves cover the entire supply chain, handling pure, compressed and mixed hydrogen. They are used in:
  • Production, for example in electrolysers for green hydrogen.
  • Compression and storage of compressed hydrogen.
  • Transport, with the KRATOS certified T-PED to ISO 23826.
  • Hydrogen gas refuelling stations, where the H2 Invictus operates.
The only excluded segment is liquid hydrogen, which belongs to cryogenic applications.

Certifications for hydrogen valves
The H2 range brings together five certifications, one for each critical node of the supply chain: ISO 19880-3 for refuelling, T-PED to ISO 23826 for transport, ISO 15848-1 for fugitive emissions, SIL for functional safety and ATEX for explosive atmospheres.

External sealing reaches Rate “A” of ISO 15848-1, the highest level the standard provides, thanks to the proprietary pairing of modified PTFE and DEVLON.

Certification
Product and application
ISO 19880-3
H2 Invictus — refuelling
T-PED to ISO 23826
KRATOS — transport
ISO 15848-1
Fugitive emissions (H2 range)
SIL
Functional safety (H2 range)
ATEX
Explosive atmospheres (H2 range)

Why choose H2 Invictus and OMAL hydrogen valves
Designing a valve for H2 means winning two challenges at once: the embrittlement of metals and sealing at very high pressures. This is where OMAL's offering has pushed highest, up to its flagship.

The top of the range is the H2 Invictus hydrogen ball valve: the world's first PN700 hydrogen ball valve to obtain ISO 19880-3 certification, issued by TÜV SÜD after demanding tests on corrosion, conductivity, temperature and wear up to 102,000 operating cycles. Every material in contact with H2 was also third-party validated by the same body.

The certification is voluntary today, but the market is moving toward making it mandatory for transport and refuelling: already being able to count on an ISO 19880-3 certified hydrogen valve is, in effect, a competitive advantage.

Do you want to explore OMAL's complete range of hydrogen valves? Click here and discover our certified solutions.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about hydrogen valves
What makes a valve suitable for hydrogen service?
It needs metallic materials resistant to embrittlement, such as 316 stainless steel and NITRONIC 50, paired with seals capable of preventing stem micro-leaks and withstanding rapid decompression. OMAL's hydrogen valves are designed according to these criteria.
What is hydrogen embrittlement?
It is the phenomenon by which hydrogen, the smallest molecule that exists, diffuses and permeates easily through many metallic materials. To counter it, in its hydrogen ball valves OMAL uses NITRONIC 50 (XM-19), an austenitic stainless steel much less susceptible than common alloys.
What does ISO 19880-3 certification mean and how does it apply to hydrogen valves?
ISO 19880-3 is one of the most internationally recognised standards on the safety requirements of components intended for hydrogen gas refuelling stations. An ISO 19880-3 certified hydrogen valve has passed rigorous tests on corrosion resistance, electrical conductivity, temperature variations and wear.
What is Rate “A” of the ISO 15848-1 standard?
It is the highest sealing level achievable provided for by the standard on fugitive emissions, which evaluates the tightness of the stem sealing system. The seals of our hydrogen ball valves achieve it thanks to the proprietary pairing between modified PTFE and DEVLON.
What pressures do OMAL hydrogen valves cover?
The range covers 25 to 700 bar: angle valves up to 25 bar, floating ball valves up to 150 bar, trunnion ball valves up to 400 bar and high-pressure ball valves up to 700 bar. The top of the range is the H2 Invictus hydrogen ball valve, certified to ISO 19880-3.

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