Hydrogen Fuel

What is Hydrogen Energy?

Hydrogen fuel is a clean energy source that generates power through chemical reactions rather than combustion. It is typically produced by splitting water molecules (electrolysis) or extracting hydrogen from natural gas. Hydrogen fuel cells produce electricity with only water and heat as by-products, making it a zero-emission alternative to fossil fuels.

Hydrogen energy plays a key role in decarbonising industries such as transportation, manufacturing and power generation. It is used in fuel cell vehicles, industrial heating and as an energy storage solution for renewable power.

Achieving ambitious net zero goals requires significant emissions reduction efforts in hard-to-abate markets such as refining, chemical, steel and heavy-duty transport. Low-carbon hydrogen fuel has emerged as a key lever for decarbonising these sectors. However, according to International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates, less than 1% of global hydrogen gas in 2022 was produced using low-emissions methods.

Solidifying our industry’s sustainable future requires the rapid scaling of low-carbon hydrogen fuel solutions. John Crane is meeting this challenge with market-ready hydrogen innovations that equip our customers to achieve mission-critical decarbonisation goals. These solutions are already enabling green and blue hydrogen operations around the globe, from Australia to Canada and key markets in between.

Accelerating Progress Across the New Hydrogen Value Chain

John Crane takes a comprehensive approach to scaling the new hydrogen production ecosystem. We believe it is essential to deploy all sources of low-carbon hydrogen, including hydrogen produced through renewable- or nuclear-powered electrolysis and traditional natural gas reforming technologies retrofitted with carbon capture solutions. However, production is just one link in the new hydrogen value chain; to decarbonise hard-to-abate sectors, hydrogen storage and transportortation are just as critical. We are investing heavily in technologies that enable a safe, scalable hydrogen transportation infrastructure, including alternative energy carriers such as ammonia.

We are committed to developing the solutions that will shape our industry’s next century. This includes the hydrogen filtration and sealing technologies of the future, cutting-edge digital solutions and hydrogen-ready services that support our industry in achieving its ambitious decarbonisation goals. Through collaborations with Hydrogen Europe and other hydrogen fuel pioneers, we are actively accelerating and scaling the new hydrogen production ecosystem that is pivotal to our industry’s future.

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A Global Leader in Hydrogen Sealing Solutions

Proven Hydrogen Expertise

Since producing the first hydrogen gas seal in 1979, John Crane has supplied thousands of dry gas seals to hydrogen applications. More than 5,000 mechanical seals, filters, couplings and systems are in use today, enabling some of the world’s most innovative clean hydrogen facilities.

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Decreasing Emissions by 98% in an Oman Production Plant

A prominent exploration and production firm in Oman partnered with John Crane to reduce emissions and enhance operational efficiency. By replacing conventional oil seals with advanced Type 28 dry gas seals, we helped our customer decrease its CO₂ emissions by 98% and lower gas consumption by approximately 2% in the gas turbine — all while achieving higher-quality gas with lower oil removal costs.

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A Comprehensive Range of Hydrogen Fuel Solutions

We are experts in our field, and our wide-ranging hydrogen portfolio proves it. Our solutions are designed to overcome critical hydrogen compression, pumping and filtration challenges, both now and as the energy transition progresses. We offer gas seals, systems, filtration and couplings specifically designed for hydrogen, ammonia and methanol applications.

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Investments in Low-Carbon Innovation

We are committed to pioneering sustainable designs that address the unique dynamics of compressing and filtering hydrogen. We continuously invest in advanced materials and new designs for higher-speed applications such as hydrogen pipelines and liquefaction.

Delivering Safe, Reliable Hydrogen Compression

John Crane’s dry gas seals, high-performance couplings and gas systems play a critical role in scaling up the clean hydrogen economy — but their value doesn't stop there. These solutions are equally important in various secondary processes involving gases such as O2, CO₂ and ammonia, each of which pose unique challenges. With an unrivaled track record for innovation and service excellence, John Crane is the trusted partner for reliable compression solutions.

Powering Critical Pumps Across Industries

Pump applications are critical across the hydrogen value chain, ranging from large water intake, cooling water and circulation pumps in green hydrogen production to essential services like amine, lean solution, CO₂ and boiler feedwater in blue hydrogen production. Pumps are also vital in ammonia, methanol, liquid organic hydrogen carriers (LOHC) conversion and reconversion, as well as various end-use applications. John Crane's mechanical seals, seal support systems, couplings and filtration solutions have long set the industry standard for reliable, safe pump operation. Today, they are delivering this same unmatched reliability and safety in global hydrogen applications, contributing to the scalability of this essential new energy ecosystem.

Advanced Filtration for Optimal Hydrogen Quality

At John Crane, we understand the critical role of filtration in the hydrogen value chain. Our cutting-edge solutions ensure the right hydrogen quality for each application and protect crucial equipment including compressors, turbines, dryers, heat exchangers and fuel cells. With expertise in equipment filtration — including seal gas and fuel gas conditioning and process filtration for water pre-filtration and modular systems — we offer practical solutions for diverse filtration needs. As the hydrogen industry evolves, John Crane pioneers filtration innovation to secure a reliable and efficient future for hydrogen applications and technologies.