Testing with flammable gases
We design and build custom equipment to safely conduct experiments with hydrogen and other flammable gases, or to operate in explosive atmospheres (ATEX). We build the tool you need to achieve your experimental goals while managing all associated risks.
01 — The problems we solve
Our equipment is designed to meet the specific challenges of handling hydrogen and operating in explosive environments. Select your situation to see solutions we have already implemented.
The challenge is to combine high pressure and high temperature with hydrogen's wide flammability range and low ignition energy. The equipment must not only contain the pressure but also eliminate all ignition sources and manage potential leaks to ensure the test is safe.
Delivered for
See the project ↓The difficulty lies in designing a custom machine where every component—motor, sensor, electronic device—is certified for the relevant ATEX zone. The goal is to eliminate human intervention in a hazardous environment with a reliable, fully remote-controlled system that ensures both productivity and operator safety.
Delivered for
See the project ↓This requires a regulated gas supply, efficient mixing, and precise thermal control within a safe environment for flammable gases. Accurately measuring gas consumption under pressure is a major challenge, as it is essential for obtaining reliable kinetic data and tracking the reaction's progress.
Delivered for
The challenge is to measure extremely low gas flow rates through a rock sample while applying mechanical stresses that simulate geological conditions. To be meaningful, the measurement requires a perfectly leak-tight system that is stable over long periods and can quantify permeability with very high resolution.
Delivered for
See the project ↓02 — Custom-built
Each test rig is a unique design, tailored to the experimental conditions, safety constraints, and measurement goals of your project.
Designed to expose samples to flammable gases under controlled pressure and temperature. The number of stations, ATEX compliance level, leak detection and management systems, and sample loading ergonomics are defined specifically for each project.
Dedicated to running chemical reactions such as catalytic hydrogenation. The volume, pressure, agitation type, gas feed system, and consumption measurement method are custom-designed to meet the requirements of the process under study and the nature of the data sought.
Used to automate a function or process in an environment where an explosive atmosphere may form. The function to be performed, the level of automation, the interfaces, and the operator safeguards are entirely designed for the target application, whether for production or maintenance.
Designed to measure the ability of a gas to flow through a porous material under stress. The equipment is adapted to the nature of the gas (H2, CO2, etc.), the mechanical stresses to be applied, and the permeability range to be measured, especially for the very low values critical for geological storage.
03 — Measurements
The reliability of a test depends on the precision of its control system and the relevance of the measured parameters. Each system is instrumented to provide the data that matters.
These measurements are essential for controlling experimental conditions, tracking reaction progress, and collecting kinetic data. They form the basis for understanding and optimizing the phenomenon under study.
This is a critical safety function that protects operators and the facility. By triggering alarms and emergency shutdown procedures in the event of a leak, it ensures a controlled and immediate response to any incident.
This measurement quantifies a material's ability to let a gas pass through it. It is essential data for studies on geological storage, barrier materials, or membrane performance.
This feature ensures full traceability of tests and rig operations. It helps with diagnostics in case of an incident and enables continuous improvement of protocols by logging all significant system events.
04 — Projects
5 projects
Geoscience & Subsurface Studies
Wide-Range Gas Permeability Test Bench and Triaxial Cell for Geomechanics
Wide-range gas permeability bench ($10^{-21} m^2$) with triaxial cell for the University of Shandong. An IRIAN MECATRONICS solution for tight rock characterization.
HPHT Reactors & Cells200 bar300°CConfidential project · photo withheld
HPHT Reactors & Cells
Pressurized Flow Reactor Systems for CO2 Capture (CCUS) Research
Reactor platform (Tubular & CSTR) for CO2 capture research (200 bar, 300°C).
Extreme Environment Simulation SystemsConfidential project · photo withheld
Extreme Environment Simulation Systems
High-Pressure Autoclaves for Flammable Gas (ATEX) Testing
high-pressure autoclave benches for flammable gases (H2). Features full ATEX safety integration and ergonomic handling.
HPHT Reactors & Cells200 bar300°CConfidential project · photo withheld
HPHT Reactors & Cells
High-Pressure Continuous Flow Reactors for Gas-Liquid Process Research
R&D platform with high-pressure tubular (PFR) and stirred (CSTR) reactors for gas-liquid process studies and catalyst screening.
Process Development & Chemical Pilot PlantsConfidential project · photo withheld
Process Development & Chemical Pilot Plants
System for Automated Vessel Cleaning in a Sensitive Environment
For a major defense industry player, we designed an automated tank cleaning system for ATEX environments. This solution improves productivity, ergonomics, and operator safety.
05 — Our approach
We design each piece of equipment as a custom scientific instrument. Our process is centered on your experimental need and total risk control.
Our design process starts not with a technical specification sheet, but with your scientific question. This ensures that the final test rig will be a relevant tool for your research, capable of reproducing the conditions and providing the measurements you need to answer it.
Every test is unique, and safety is non-negotiable. We design the rig specifically for your conditions, incorporating a thorough risk analysis from the outset to control the hazards associated with flammable gases, pressure, and temperature.
To ensure a quick and safe handover, each rig is tested and validated in our factory (FAT). We then handle the installation, on-site commissioning, and comprehensive training for users on how to operate and maintain the equipment.
Our expertise in designing equipment for geoscience and subsurface studies and developing process pilot plants is often applied to projects involving custom reactors and the simulation of extreme environments.
They trust us
06 — FAQ
Compliance is ensured through a system-level approach, not just by selecting certified components. It is based on a detailed upfront risk analysis, the selection of zone-rated hardware, and the integration of active safety features like ventilation, inerting, or gas detection, all designed to control the risk at its source.
Our equipment is designed to create the physical conditions (pressure, temperature, atmosphere) required by a standard. We deliver a tool capable of reliably and safely reproducing an experimental protocol, giving you the means to conduct your tests in compliance. However, the rig itself is not certified to a specific test standard.
We do not define a catalog limit, as our approach is to design the equipment for the specific needs of the test. The performance of our past projects, such as the autoclaves for hydrogen testing we have built, serve as examples of our capabilities and as a starting point for designing your own system.
We deliver a turnkey solution, ready to operate. This includes the entire system: fluid supply, precise pressure and temperature control, all safety features, the control PLC, and the supervision software with data acquisition. The service also covers factory acceptance testing (FAT), on-site commissioning, and training.
Describe the experiment you need to run and the conditions to reproduce. Our engineering team will analyze your constraints to design a custom, high-performance, and safe solution.