Cetim, a Carnot-accredited technological institute, establishes Hymeet, a materials engineering and testing laboratory, to provide knowledge in the field of hydrogen to the French mechanical sector.
At every stage of the hydrogen value chain, the mechanical engineering sector is involved. However, to assure its manufacture, distribution, and use in a variety of applications, it is required to modify items, particularly fluidic equipment; pipes, compressors, pumps, regulators, and tanks of diverse sizes, materials, and environments.
HyMEET, an acronym for Hydrogen Material and Equipment Engineering and Testing Center, is the initial component of a four-year strategy. The €25 million investment aims to equip French mechanical engineering with the resources and expertise necessary to assure technological mastery of the changes required by the usage of hydrogen in its gaseous and liquid forms.
Airbus has already joined the project as a partner. In Nantes, France, the firm has built one of its two Zero Emission Development Centers (the second is in Bremen, Germany). The advancements include technologies for liquid hydrogen distribution and storage, as well as the manufacture of the world’s first double-walled cryogenic tanks. “Hymeet will assist us in sizing and optimizing the structures of our tanks and distribution systems,” explains Loc Buffet, ZEDC Project Manager at Airbus Group in Nantes. This will add to the Zero Emission Aircraft’s success. A demonstration flight is scheduled to take place in 2026.
Hymeet will assist the numerous mechanical professions in overcoming technological and economic barriers in order to capitalize on the market’s prospects.
