Hydrogen gas is a vital source of energy and power. Hydrogen fuel cells, and hydrogenated materials can be found in nearly every sector, and they all require reliable hydrogen compressors that transform hydrogen into a pressurized state for efficient storage, handling, and use. Learn more about hydrogen compressors and how our team at Hycomp designs and builds compressors to meet our clients’ diverse needs.
What Is a Hydrogen Compressor?
Compressors are machines that compress air and other gases by increasing the amount of pressure on a gas. There are two main mechanisms for compressing air:
- Physically reducing the volume of the container holding the air; this “squishes” the gas so it becomes more compressed and dense because gases can change shape and density to best fit their containers.
- Increasing the gas’s velocity, which in turn increases the pressure on the gas and decreases the volume space that the gas occupies.
Hydrogen compressors are mechanical tools that are specifically built to compress hydrogen gas. In these systems, hydrogen gas enters the compressor through an inlet valve, which decreases total gas volume by increasing velocity or decreasing available volume space, and increases the static pressure acting on the gas. At that point, the compressor can discharge the gas through an outlet either into a storage vessel or for use in a pneumatic or pressurized application.
Because of the unique properties of hydrogen and the increasingly diverse array of applications in which hydrogen can be used, it’s important to use a compressor that can safely handle and discharge the gas for optimal efficiency.
Applications of Hydrogen Compressors
Hydrogen compressors are extremely versatile tools that pressurize hydrogen gas for easier storage, transportation, and use. Some of the most popular applications for hydrogen compressors include:
Hydrogen Fueling Stations
Hydrogen-powered vehicles are becoming more and more popular. Hydrogen fuel cell passenger vehicles, buses, and scooters are popular alternatives to gas or diesel-powered models. Hydrogen-powered forklifts and power machinery are also becoming more common. Hydrogen compressors can compress fuel into convenient storage cylinders for transport to refueling centers, and can also be used in the offloading and filling stages.
Compressed hydrogen can be used throughout the renewable energy industry, including to compress synthesis gas or syngas.
Purification and Production Applications
Hydrogen compressors are often used for:
- Processing metals
- Cooling turbines in power plants and in wind or solar generation centers
- Purifying specialty gases
- Blending, recycling, mixing, and storing gases
- Hydrogenating (or adding hydrogen into) edible oil mixtures
- Producing float glass
Petrochemical Applications
Compressed hydrogen is a vital component for petrochemical, chemical, and pharmaceutical production. Production facilities can use compressed hydrogen to boost pressure levels in equipment or batches, to power equipment with fuel cells, and more.
Choose Hycomp Hydrogen Compressors
Hydrogen compressors are versatile tools for safely and efficiently compressing hydrogen into a pressurized state for storage and use. At Hycomp, we specialize in creating high-performance, reliable hydrogen compressors for commercial and industrial applications. Our oil-free compressor models are clean and easy to use.
We also produce models that can compress hydrogen gases to meet a wide variety of standards and requirements for different flows or pressure levels. Each hydrogen compressor features a modular design for easy changes between bore and stroke sizes, adapters for different applications, and more. Our standard models can handle 1,200 psig, and some of our models can handle pressure levels up to 3,000 psig. We also produce customized models from our range of frames, cylinders, and heads. Contact us today to learn more or request a quote for pricing details.
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