Hydrogen compressor is used to supply the dry, clean and oil-free air needed for a wide range of industries such as pharmaceuticals, food & beverages, consumer electronics and textiles. It is also essential for powering fuel cell electric vehicles utilizing hydrogen as the fuel.
Who is the largest compressor manufacturer in the world?
The demand for hydrogen is growing significantly due to the increasing investment in green field projects across the globe. This is driving the growth of the market for hydrogen compressor. Moreover, government support and initiatives to promote the use of hydrogen in various applications is also boosting the demand for it.
A conventional compressor uses some mechanical torque to force hydrogen into a smaller volume, thus reducing its density and increasing its pressure. It is important to note that the hydrogen system has to be isolated from the torque source in order to avoid contamination of the gas with the lubricating oil from the compressor’s mechanical parts.
Another compression method is using an electrochemical reactor such as a proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyser. Here, the hydrogen is dissociated at the anode side into H+ ions and oxygen; these are then transferred to the cathode where they are catalytically re-combined under high pressure.
An electrochemical compressor requires an external power source to drive the dissociation and recombination reactions. This is an expensive technology, as the cost of the electrolyser and its ancillaries is about twice that of an ordinary hydrogen compressor. Additionally, the PEM electrolyser is prone to leakage as it is not hermetically sealed and needs to be kept in a cleanroom.