Towards Non-Mechanical Hybrid Hydrogen Compression for Decentralized Hydrogen Facilities

Giuseppe Sdanghi, Gaël Maranzana, Alain Celzard and Vanessa Fierro
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Giuseppe Sdanghi: IJL, Université de Lorraine, CNRS, 88000 Epinal, France
Gaël Maranzana: LEMTA, Université de Lorraine, CNRS, F-54000 Nancy, France
Alain Celzard: IJL, Université de Lorraine, CNRS, 88000 Epinal, France
Vanessa Fierro: IJL, Université de Lorraine, CNRS, 88000 Epinal, France

Energies, 2020, vol. 13, issue 12, 1-27

Abstract: The cost of the hydrogen value chain needs to be reduced to allow the widespread development of hydrogen applications. Mechanical compressors, widely used for compressing hydrogen to date, account for more than 50% of the CAPEX (capital expenditure) in a hydrogen refueling station. Moreover, mechanical compressors have several disadvantages, such as the presence of many moving parts, hydrogen embrittlement, and high consumption of energy. Non-mechanical hydrogen compressors have proven to be a valid alternative to mechanical compressors. Among these, electrochemical compressors allow isothermal, and therefore highly efficient, compression of hydrogen. On the other hand, adsorption-desorption compressors allow hydrogen to be compressed through cooling/heating cycles using highly microporous materials as hydrogen adsorbents. A non-mechanical hybrid hydrogen compressor, consisting of a first electrochemical stage followed by a second stage driven by adsorption-desorption of hydrogen on activated carbons, allows hydrogen to be produced at 70 MPa, a value currently required for the development of hydrogen automotive applications. This system has several advantages over mechanical compressors, such as the absence of moving parts and high compactness. Its use in decentralized hydrogen facilities, such as hydrogen refueling stations, can be considered.

Keywords: hydrogen storage; hydrogen compression; non-mechanical compressors; electrochemical compressors; activated carbons (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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