At H2MEET, where hydrogen compression is often framed as a race toward higher pressures and larger systems, Koder Engineering presented a quieter but more technically deliberate proposition: hydrogen compression controlled by airflow, engineered around purity rather than brute force.
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With more than 30 years of experience in air compressor manufacturing, Koder Engineering entered the hydrogen sector not as a startup chasing novelty, but as an incumbent applying mature compression logic to a new fuel. The company’s hydrogen compressor, showcased at the exhibition, relies on airflow-controlled valves and a carefully engineered separation between oil and hydrogen, prioritizing gas integrity during compression.
At the core of the system is a membrane that separates the oil-driven compression chamber from the hydrogen chamber. As oil pressure builds in the lower cylinder, hydrogen is compressed in the upper chamber without direct contact. According to the company, maintaining this physical boundary allows the system to preserve hydrogen purity above 99% throughout the compression process, an increasingly critical requirement as hydrogen applications expand into mobility, chemicals, and high-spec industrial uses.
Koder Engineering highlighted that its technology does not rely on a single compressor architecture. One configuration, referred to as an L-type design, uses a metal membrane to balance oil and gas pressures within the cylinder. Another design incorporates a three-piston configuration, while a separate piston-type compressor operates entirely without oil during hydrogen compression. This diversity, the company argues, is not redundancy but strategy: different hydrogen use cases require different mechanical trade-offs between purity, maintenance, and efficiency.
Unlike many hydrogen-focused OEMs, Koder Engineering positions its compressors as multi-industry assets. Beyond hydrogen and industrial gases, the company’s systems are already deployed in chemical processing and food production, where precision and compression efficiency are non-negotiable. This cross-sector adoption suggests the technology is less experimental than many hydrogen-specific solutions entering the market.
Geographically, the company’s footprint extends beyond Korea. Koder Engineering reports exports to Vietnam, Mexico, and the United States, indicating that its compressor designs have already navigated varying regulatory and operational environments. That international exposure may prove decisive as hydrogen markets increasingly demand proven, adaptable equipment rather than bespoke systems tied to a single region.
