The Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) has created a new hydrogen compressor that can increase the effectiveness and dependability of hydrogen compression used to refuel fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs).
A fuel source for FCEVs and other hydrogen-powered cars, the linear motor-driven reciprocating compressor (LMRC), developed by SwRI, is intended to compress hydrogen. The innovative concept behind the advanced compression system involves using electromagnetic windings to move a permanent magnet piston inside a hermetically sealed compressor cylinder.
In comparison to traditional reciprocating compressors, the LMRC is better because it has fewer mechanical parts, fewer leakage routes, and is easily modularized for quick field installation.
An airtight compressor that is hermetically sealed using a combination of SwRI-developed solutions is featured in the novel LMRC. Magnets are shielded from hydrogen intrusion and embrittlement by coatings, and leaks are reduced by improved valve designs. In order to reduce heat expansion and lessen stress on its seal, it also uses a ceramic piston.
The majority of hydrogen compressors need oil-free mechanisms to prevent contaminants from entering the hydrogen gas. The linear motor in the LMRC can move the piston in a user-defined motion pattern, is mounted for vertical motion, and has a special dynamic seal design, in contrast to most reciprocating compressors, which have motors that repeatedly move in the same motion and need lubrication for maintenance.
As a result, conventional lubrication is unnecessary for the compressor’s seals and bearings, which experience less friction. It can also be utilized in a variety of compression applications, such as hazardous gas or flare gas recovery applications, to prevent gas from leaking into the atmosphere.
The LMRC has since been maintained by internal research funds at SwRI after being initially funded by the US Department of Energy and cost-shared by ACI Services. The LMRC began operation successfully in 2020 and finished uninterrupted operation at design conditions in mid- to late 2022. In the future, Broerman intends to change various aspects of the LMRC’s design to boost flow rates and efficiency while also adapting the LMRC to other compression applications requiring hermetic sealing.
A multidisciplinary team at SwRI is working on hydrogen energy research projects to implement decarbonization technologies in a variety of industries.
