Definition of hydrogen compressor:
A hydrogen compressor is a device that reduces the volume of hydrogen to increase the pressure, resulting in compressed or liquid hydrogen.
Pumps vs. compressors
Hydrogen compressors are similar to hydrogen pumps and gas compressors in that they both increase fluid pressure and transport it through a pipe. However, the compressor reduces the volume of hydrogen gas because gases are compressible. In contrast, a pump increases the pressure of a liquid to allow the liquid hydrogen to be transported elsewhere.
What is the working principle of a hydrogen compressor?
The electrochemical hydrogen compressor works in the same way that a fuel cell does: a voltage is applied to the membrane, and the resulting electric current pulls hydrogen through it. A pressure of 14500 psi (1000 bar or 100 MPa) is achieved through electrochemical hydrogen compression.
Is compressed hydrogen a potentially hazardous substance?
Although hydrogen is not poisonous, inhaling pure hydrogen could cause asphyxiation because you will be devoid of oxygen. Liquid hydrogen is extremely cold due to its high compressibility. It can cause severe frostbite if it gets out of its tank and contacts human skin.
Types of hydrogen compressors:
Reciprocating piston compressors
Reciprocal piston compressors are a tried and true method for compressing hydrogen. They are the backbone of crude oil refinement and are widely used in refineries. Oil-lubricated or non-lubricated reciprocating piston compressors are commonly available; for high pressure (350 - 700 bar), non-lubricated compressors are preferred to avoid oil contamination of the hydrogen. The typical drive power is in the millions of watts range (2-15MW). In terms of MTBO, reciprocating compressors can outperform competing technologies thanks to expert knowledge of piston sealing and packing rings (Mean Time Between Overhaul).
Ionic liquid piston compressor
A hydrogen compressor with an ionic liquid piston rather than a metal piston, like a piston-metal diaphragm compressor, is known as an ionic liquid piston compressor.
Electromechanical hydrogen compressor
A multi-stage electrochemical hydrogen compressor comprises a series of membrane-electrode-assemblies (MEAs) similar to those found in proton-exchange membrane fuel cells; it has no moving parts and is small. The electrochemical compressor works in the same way that a fuel cell does: a voltage is applied to the membrane, and the resulting electric current pulls hydrogen through it. A pressure of 14500 psi (1000 bar or 100 MPa) is achieved through electrochemical hydrogen compression. A patent application has been filed that claims an exergy efficiency of 70 to 80 per cent
for pressures up to 10,000 psi or 700 bars.[2] In 2011, a single-stage electrochemical compression to 800 bar was reported.
Hydride compressor
The thermal and pressure properties are used in a hydride compressor to absorb low-pressure hydrogen gas at ambient temperatures and then release high-pressure hydrogen gas at higher temperatures; the hydride bed is heated by hot water or an electric coil.
Piston-metal diaphragm compressor
Because compression generates heat, the compressed gas is cooled between stages, making the reduction less adiabatic and more isothermal. Piston-metal diaphragm compressors are stationary high-pressure compressors, four-staged water-cooled, 11–15 kW, 30–50 Nm3/h 40 MPa for hydrogen dispensation. An adiabatic efficiency of 70% is the default assumption for diaphragm hydrogen compressors.
Guided rotor compressor
The guided rotor compressor (GRC) is a positive-displacement rotary compressor with an involuted trochoid geometry and a parallel trochoid curve to define its essential compression volume. It has an adiabatic efficiency of 80 to 85 per cent.
Linear compressor
The single-piston linear compressor employs dynamic counterbalancing. An auxiliary movable mass is flexibly attached to a movable piston assembly and to the stationary compressor casing using other mechanical springs, resulting in zero vibration export while consuming the least amount of electrical power and current.
Centrifugal compressors Process Gas Compressor API 618 compressor