What is a hydrogen compressor?

A hydrogen compressor is a device used to increase the pressure of hydrogen gas by reducing its volume. This process is essential for various applications, such as storing hydrogen in high-pressure tanks, transporting it through pipelines, and utilizing it in fuel cells and other energy systems.

Hydrogen compressors

Hydrogen, the lightest and most abundant element, is a clean energy source with vast potential. Growing global hydrogen demand requires flexible and cost effective compressor solutions for storage, transportation, and use in different processes.

Compressing hydrogen with dedicated compressors offers numerous benefits, including increased energy density and enhanced energy efficiency. Hydrogen compressors also facilitate the integration of hydrogen into existing infrastructure and support the development of renewable energy solutions, driving us towards a more sustainable future.

Compressors are essential to move, store or transform hydrogen. From the point at which hydrogen is produced to the point where it is consumed, our wide compression portfolio supports many applications across the hydrogen value chain. Applications for hydrogen compression include:

Production - Gathering of green hydrogen from electrolysis, grey and blue hydrogen produced by steam methane or autothermal reformers (SMRs/ATRs)
Transportation - Liquification, pipeline, storage (cavern/vessel), conversion to ammonia as H2 carrier
Utilization - E-fuels (ammonia/methanol), industrial applications (e.g. green steel), mobility, petrochemical/refining feedstock, gas turbine fuel

We are a global market leader in hydrogen compression applications with over 2500+ units operating in hydrogen applications, representing over 2,500,000 installed horsepower and over 100 years of compression experience. As a globally recognized hydrogen compressor manufacturer, we can provide you with the optimum equipment solution, with a high lifetime value, for all your compression needs. Our portfolio gives you more technology choices for the optimum solution for your project-specific requirements, considering:

Volume flow
Pressure ratio
Gas composition
CAPEX & OPEX
Operating range required
Footprint

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With the launch of our latest laboratory in Redmond, USA we stand at the leading edge of creating innovative turbomachinery solutions aimed at reducing carbon emissions across multiple sectors. This modern facility represents not only a leap forward in energy technology but also embodies our commitment to fostering a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future.

Our hydrogen compressor meets all customer and international design standards. Each unit is meticulously built, designed, and tested to ensure it withstands the most stringent quality checks. The result? A product that provides high efficiency, reliability, compactness and above all, superior hydrogen compression in pipelines, efuels, and other green production processes.

Embrace the power of efficiency and sustainability at any scale with our advanced hydrogen compressor - a testament to our decades of experience and unwavering commitment to support our customers through the energy transition.

For further information contact one of our experts below.

The compressor technology doesn’t “care” about the “colour” of the hydrogen and how it is produced, it simply compresses according to the physics of a low mol-weight gas application. Both reciprocating and turbo compressors cover the complete map of low mol-weight applications. With each product having its strengths in overlapping areas, the choice of the product requires both technical as well as economic considerations.

For this reason, finding a solution for hydrogen compression is always project-specific and can even combine both products to find the optimal and most efficient solution for the client’s compression needs. In general, our reciprocating compressors apply to applications which have small suction volume flows, high pressure ratios and/or high process flexibility requirements whilst our centrifugal compressors apply to low compression ratio and medium to high volume flow applications.

To help ensure you develop accurate and optimized solutions, there are key considerations which need to be clearly defined when developing your hydrogen compression solution:

What is the gas composition and is there water in the gas?
Is the flow provided the dry flow or the wet flow?
At what pressure is the gas being provided to the compressor?
At what temperature is the gas being provided to the compressor?
What cooling mediums are available on site for process gas cooling requirements between compression stages?
If there is no water on site, what is the site ambient temperature for finfan air coolers?
What discharge pressure is required?
What level of lubrication oil carryover is acceptable downstream of compressor?
What is the operating philosophy and capacity control requirement?

To understand why these are important, watch our green hydrogen compressor story here.

With over 100 years of compression experience and serving a vast compression fleet worldwide, we are globally recognized as a leader in hydrogen compression. Our cutting-edge technology and innovative solutions have positioned us at the forefront of the hydrogen economy. Our strong commitment to sustainability and efficiency ensures that our compressors are designed to meet your demands for safe and effective storage, transport, and utilization of hydrogen across various sectors. We can support with reciprocating compressors, turbocompressors as well as hybrid solutions, depending on the customer and project needs. Discuss your hydrogen compression needs with our hydrogen experts.

Compressing hydrogen poses several challenges due to its unique properties. One of the primary issues is hydrogen embrittlement, a phenomenon where hydrogen atoms diffuse into metals, leading to reduced ductility and potential cracking. This necessitates the use of materials released for hydrogen exposure under specific boundary conditions and designs to ensure the durability and safety of compressors.Hydrogen molecules are very light and require substantial energy to be compressed to high pressures. This impacts the overall efficiency of hydrogen storage and transportation systems.

The best compressor for hydrogen depends on the specific application and the operating conditions. Generally, reciprocating compressors, diaphragm compressors, and centrifugal compressors are highly regarded in the industry for hydrogen compression.The optimal choice will depend on factors such as the required pressure, flow rate, purity level, and specific use case. Consulting with our hydrogen compression experts will provide tailored solutions to meet your needs effectively.

The hydrogen compressor market is experiencing significant growth driven by the increasing demand for hydrogen as a clean energy source. As of recent reports, the market size was estimated to be valued at several billion dollars. This expansion is fueled by advancements in hydrogen production technologies, supportive government policies, and the growing adoption of hydrogen fuel cells in various sectors such as transportation, industrial processes, and power generation.

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