Electrochemical Compression Technologies for High-Pressure Hydrogen: Current Status, Challenges and Perspective

Abstract

Hydrogen is an ideal energy carrier in future applications due to clean byproducts and high efficiency. However, many challenges remain in the application of hydrogen, including hydrogen production, delivery, storage and conversion. In terms of hydrogen storage, two compression modes (mechanical and non-mechanical compressors) are generally used to increase volume density in which mechanical compressors with several classifications including reciprocating piston compressors, hydrogen diaphragm compressors and ionic liquid compressors produce significant noise and vibration and are expensive and inefficient. Alternatively, non-mechanical compressors are faced with issues involving large-volume requirements, slow reaction kinetics and the need for special thermal control systems, all of which limit large-scale development. As a result, modular, safe, inexpensive and efficient methods for hydrogen storage are urgently needed. And because electrochemical hydrogen compressors (EHCs) are modular, highly efficient and possess hydrogen purification functions with no moving parts, they are becoming increasingly prominent. Based on all of this and for the first time, this review will provide an overview of various hydrogen compression technologies and discuss corresponding structures, principles, advantages and limitations. This review will also comprehensively present the recent progress and existing issues of EHCs and future hydrogen compression techniques as well as corresponding containment membranes, catalysts, gas diffusion layers and flow fields. Furthermore, engineering perspectives are discussed to further enhance the performance of EHCs in terms of the thermal management, water management and the testing protocol of EHC stacks. Overall, the deeper understanding of potential relationships between performance and component design in EHCs as presented in this review can guide the future development of anticipated EHCs.

Influence of Nitrocarburizing on Increasing the Service Life of Elastic Elements of Direct Flow Valves

“…Compressor machines are used in various sectors of the national economy [1] but found the most significant application in the chemical industry [2,3], where they are one of the main links in technological lines for the production of mineral fertilizers, compressed gases of high purity and polyethylene. Failure in compressor machines' operation leads to a decrease in production and large material losses [4].…”

“…Fig. 1 Scheme of a reciprocating piston compressor [1] Direct-flow valves are widely introduced in compressor construction. These valves provide the lowest losses during the operation of the compressors because they have a large flow area and thin elastic elements (plates), which require little effort to remove.…”

In Silico Screening of Zeolites for High-Pressure Hydrogen Drying

“…In the past decade, electrochemical H 2 compressors (EHCs) have been developed , as an alternative to mechanical compressors. Compared to mechanical compressors, EHCs do not have moving parts that can be damaged during the operation of the device. , Additionally, due to the isothermal compression process, EHCs can be more energetically efficient compared to mechanical compressors based on adiabatic compression . HyET Hydrogen B.V .…”

“…8,10,11 The most commonly used mechanical compressor types for H 2 compression are piston, compressed air, and ionic and diaphragm compressors. 8 In the past decade, electrochemical H 2 compressors (EHCs) have been developed 12,13 as an alternative to mechanical compressors. Compared to mechanical compressors, EHCs do not have moving parts that can be damaged during the operation of the device.…”

Increasing the Structural Strength of Corrosion-resistant Steel for Elastic Components of Diaphragm Compressor

“…A diaphragm compressor is a positive displacement machine ( Fig. 1) and, in terms of characteristics and principle of operation, is in many ways like a piston compressor [10]. Compression of gas in such a compressor occurs using a flexible diaphragm that reciprocates [11].…”