As hydrogen fuel technology advances, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) must guarantee accurate, safe and reliable fuelling solutions. Operating at pressures up to 700 bar, they present unique technical challenges.

To address the specific challenges associated with high-pressure hydrogen dispensing, Emerson’s Micro Motion™ High Pressure Coriolis (HPC) Flow Meter delivers exceptional performance by combining precision, durability and real-time data insights.

The Challenges of High-Pressure Hydrogen Dispensing

OEMs designing hydrogen fueling stations or dispenser systems face several engineering and operational challenges:

• Extreme Pressure and Temperature: Hydrogen is dispensed at pressures up to 700 bar (10,000 psi) to achieve fast vehicle fill times, often with pre-cooling to −40 °C to manage temperature rise during filling. Meters must maintain accuracy across this wide pressure and temperature range without drift or damage.
• Hydrogen Embrittlement and Leakage: Hydrogen can permeate and embrittle traditional metals, raising the risk of material fatigue or leaks over time. Components must withstand the chemical and mechanical aggression of high-pressure hydrogen for years of service without failure.
• Accuracy and Compliance: For custody transfer, measurement accuracy is paramount. Hydrogen is costly, so end-users and regulators demand precise metering to ensure each kilogram dispensed is correctly measured. International standards like OIML R139 mandate rigorous accuracy and repeatability for hydrogen dispensers. OEMs need metering solutions that meet these standards to certify their stations.
• Rapid Fuelling and Wide Flow Range: Hydrogen vehicles – from passenger cars to heavy-duty trucks – require rapid fills. A meter might see flow rates varying from a slow trickle at start/stop to very high flow during peak filling. For example, passenger vehicle protocols (SAE J2601-1) require up to ~3.6 kg/min flow at 700 bar, and heavy-duty fuelling can approach ~9 kg/min.
• Maintenance and Downtime: Given the hazardous and high-pressure environment, minimizing maintenance is crucial. Traditional meters or multi-device setups may require frequent calibration, filter changes, or have moving parts that wear out. Each intervention means station downtime and potential safety exposure. OEMs need a robust, low-maintenance solution to keep hydrogen dispensers running reliably with minimal service interventions.

Precision and Reliability with Emerson’s Micro Motion HPC Series

Emerson’s Micro Motion HPC flow meters are purpose-built to excel under high-pressure hydrogen fueling conditions. The HPC series (including models like the HPC015 and the newer HPC020) leverages the proven Coriolis flow measurement principle in an enhanced design for ultra-high pressures. Key features that enable HPC meters to tackle OEM challenges include:

• High Accuracy & Repeatability: Micro Motion HPC meters provide ±0.5% mass flow accuracy (batch) under hydrogen dispensing conditions. Even as pressures fluctuate and flow rates ramp up or down, the meter maintains custody-transfer accuracy so that every kilogram of H₂ is measured with confidence. The HPC platform successfully obtained the strict OIML R139 metrology certification for hydrogen dispensers, proving it delivers its best performance even at the largest flow rates and harsh conditions. OEMs can meet global weights and measures requirements using HPC meters as the fiscal measuring device.
• Wide Operating Range: Thanks to advanced sensor design, an HPC meter can accurately cover the full range of dispensing flow rates from idle to maximum fill. The original HPC015 was designed to meet the SAE J2601-1 fueling standard of ~3.6 kg/min for both 350 bar and 700 bar systems. The latest HPC020 expands that capability with a nominal flow rate of up to 9.0 kg/min to accommodate the rapid fills needed for larger trucks and buses. Despite the higher capacity, HPC020 still maintains the same ±0.5% accuracy, ensuring even heavy-duty vehicle fills are measured precisely.
• No Moving Parts, No Incremental Drift: Being a true Coriolis meter, the HPC sensor has no moving parts in the flow stream. This design inherently avoids wear and drift, meaning repeatable accuracy over time. Unlike mechanical meters, the Coriolis measures mass flow and density in real time. The result is a stable output that OEMs and end-users can trust every day, on every fill.

Real-Time Data for Smarter Operations

In addition to providing accurate mass flow measurement, the HPC flow meter delivers real-time diagnostic and process data. Emerson offers proprietary Smart Meter Verification (SMV) technology built into the meter. SMV is a diagnostic routine that periodically checks the health of the meter (for both sensor and transmitter) without removing it from service. It can detect issues like sensor coating, erosion, or other degradation by analyzing the meter’s internal signals. This enables OEMs to monitor system performance, identify anomalies early, and optimise the dispensing process for consistency and efficiency. The result is minimising unplanned downtime and improving overall process stability.

Meeting Industry Standards

The Micro Motion HPC flow meters are designed to comply to both key industry standards for hydrogen refuelling such as SAE J2601-1 and SAE J2601-2, as well as batch-level accuracy and performance requirements defined in the international recommendation OIML R139 for compressed gaseous fuel measuring systems for vehicles and similar fiscal metering guidelines. This makes it a perfect fit for dispenser applications where precise, certified measurement is required.

Additionally, the meter is constructed using materials and fabrication processes in accordance with ASME B31.3 Chapter IX, ensuring mechanical integrity in high-pressure hydrogen environments and addressing concerns such as hydrogen embrittlement.

This level of compliance enables OEMs to integrate the HPC meter into their systems with confidence, knowing it supports the necessary certifications for market access and contributes to safe, verifiable fuel delivery in commercial hydrogen applications.

Emerson’s Commitment to OEMs and Innovation in Alternative Fuels

Emerson recognizes that the transition to hydrogen and other alternative fuels is a collaborative journey. The development of the Micro Motion HPC product line itself was driven by close engagement with OEMs in the hydrogen fueling space, ensuring the meters meet real-world needs. Emerson’s team has worked hand-in-hand with dispenser manufacturers and industry bodies to align the design with emerging standards. This collaborative approach means customers get a solution that is fit-for-purpose from day one, and they can expect Emerson to be a long-term partner, ready to support new requirements as hydrogen infrastructure evolves.

Emerson’s focus on OEM collaboration in the alternative fuels space is reflected in the words of Joanne Brooks-Kinder, European OEM Sales Manager:

“ Our collaboration with OEMs focuses on understanding their unique needs and delivering tailored flow measurement solutions. The Micro Motion HPC flow meter represents our dedication to innovation, safety, and reliability in hydrogen dispensing. By working closely with OEMs, we ensure our solutions not only meet but often exceed their expectations, advancing the industry in alternative fuels”

Conclusion

As the hydrogen refueling industry accelerates, OEMs require instrumentation that they can count on to meet the extreme demands of high-pressure service. Emerson’s Micro Motion High-Pressure Coriolis Flow Meters provide a compelling answer to this need. By delivering unmatched accuracy, rugged durability, and intelligent diagnostics, the HPC series allows OEMs to overcome the challenges of hydrogen dispensing – from precision metering and safety compliance to maintenance reduction and data-driven operations. Emerson’s decades of Coriolis expertise, now applied to high-pressure hydrogen, ensure that OEMs have a trusted solution that performs under pressure in every sense.

If you are interested to learn more about the regulatory landscape shaping hydrogen dispenser metering, watch our on-demand webinar exploring the latest fiscal metering requirements and compliance strategies for OEMs.

Ready to elevate your hydrogen dispensing systems? Contact Emerson or learn more about the Micro Motion HPC Flow Meter to explore how we can support your next alternative fuel project.