All Categories
History
This section provides an overview for hydrogen compressor as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 10 hydrogen compressor manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked hydrogen compressor companies as of December, 2024: 1.Sundyne, 2.Howden Group, 3.Hycomp, Inc..
Table of Contents
A hydrogen compressor is a device that compresses hydrogen gas.
Hydrogen compressors are used to compress hydrogen gas under high pressure or to liquefy hydrogen by cooling it. Compared to gas, liquefied hydrogen is much smaller in volume, which is advantageous for storage and transportation.
Hydrogen compressors come in a variety of forms, including mechanical types such as positive displacement and centrifugal types, and methods that use electrochemical reactions.
A familiar example of a hydrogen gas application is fuel cells. They are gradually becoming popular for use in automobiles, household power generation, and water heating. Hydrogen energy does not produce carbon dioxide gas and emits only water, making it an excellent energy source in this environmentally conscious age. A great leap forward is expected in the future.
Hydrogen gas is an excellent method of storage and transportation because its volume is reduced to 1/800 when liquefied. Hydrogen can be liquefied by a hydrogen compressor at a hydrogen production plant and stored in a storage tank. It can also be loaded into transportation tanks on ships and tanks of trailer trucks for transportation to the destination.
Hydrogen is supplied to automotive fuel cells by installing a hydrogen compressor at a hydrogen gas station, increasing the pressure to the required level, and filling the vehicle's hydrogen tank. In Japan, 70 MPa is used. Fuel cells for home use are cogeneration systems and are used to generate electricity as well as to heat water. In addition, generators using fuel cells are also in practical use.
Liquefied hydrogen is used as a raw material in chemical plants, pharmaceutical plants, fertilizer production, etc., as fuel for power plants, engine compressors, etc.
Hydrogen gas is the element with the lowest density, and various methods must be used to increase pressure. Mechanical compressors, such as volumetric and centrifugal types, as well as electrochemical and thermal types, are used.
Mechanical compressors have a high-pressure ratio, so most are multi-stage compressors. They also require high temperatures, so cooling is also important. The maximum discharge pressure is about 100 MPa. Electrochemical reaction type and thermal type have the features of no moving parts, no vibration, no noise, and oil-free.
The types of hydrogen compressors used include positive displacement type, centrifugal type, electrochemical reaction type, and thermal type.
The positive displacement compressor changes the volume to inhale, compress, and discharge gas. The types of hydrogen compressors in practical use include reciprocating compressors, screw compressors, and diaphragm compressors.
The reciprocating type compresses gas through the reciprocating motion of a piston. Various types are available depending on the arrangement of the cylinders. The swash plate type, in which the piston reciprocates in the axial direction, is also of this type. The screw type compresses gas by rotating a two-axis or single-axis screw to reduce the volume. Diaphragm type compressors compress by reciprocating diaphragms.
Centrifugal compressors convert the velocity energy of the gas into pressure by rotating an impeller at high speed. Hydrogen gas is the gas with the smallest density, and increasing the pressure requires increasing the impeller speed. Centrifugal hydrogen compressors are in practical use in the U.S., and in Japan, ultra high-speed single-shaft multi-stage and multi-shaft multi-stage compressors are under development.
The electrochemical reaction type is not a mechanical compressor, but a method of obtaining compressed hydrogen through a chemical reaction. When voltage is applied to the electrodes, hydrogen ions are reduced to hydrogen and hydrogen is extracted from the cathode. This method is now in practical use in Germany and the U.S., and Japan is likely to expand it in the future.
This method boosts pressure by applying heat to hydrogen gas. When hydrogen gas is stored in a hydrogen storage alloy, heat is generated, and metal hydride is formed. Then, when heat energy is applied to the metal hydride, hydrogen is separated, and high-pressure gas is obtained. The output pressure is about 25 MPa. Metal hydride is a stable substance and very safe. Heating is an environmentally friendly method since waste heat can be used. In Scandinavia, it is deployed in hydrogen stations.
Three types of lubrication systems are used.
This method injects oil into the sliding and sealing parts of the cylinder and screw to lubricate, seal, and cool. There are methods such as splashing, oil pumping, and pressure lubrication. Oil mist is contained in the discharged gas.
This method does not use any oil or water in the gas passage. No oil or water is contained in the discharged gas.
Water is injected into the screw to lubricate, cool, and seal. The oil rate of the discharged gas is zero.
Oil-free hydrogen gas has many advantages. Many industries require pure hydrogen. These include the mobility sector, power generation/storage, chemical/petrochemical, fertilizer, and refining. The advantage of oil-free is that it does not affect the chemical reactions used in its production. It is also important that it does not affect the process or equipment.
*Including some distributors, etc.
Sort by Features
Sort by Area
Fluitron began in the 1950s and was officially founded in 1976 and operates out of Hatboro, Pennsylvania. In 2022 Ara Partners acquired Fluitron and Bethlehem Hydrogen to establish a hydrogen platform. Today, Fluitron designs and manufactures precision technology for industrial gas compression. Fluitron’s standard products include pressure vessel fabrication and pressure pumps, as well as storage, dispensing, and cryogenic products. Fluitron also offers custom applications such as reactors, CO2 extraction equipment, and containment cells. Fluitron also offers services such as quality control, testing, and other custom designs.
PDC Machines, started in 1977 and based in Souderton, Pennsylvania, is a manufacturer and supplier of hydrogen gas compression technology that helps companies, consumers, and industries transition to clean energy. Its product portfolio includes diaphragm compressors, hydrogen fueling stations, and refueling systems, and since 2010, it has delivered over 2000 compressors. Through hydrogen refueling, the company facilitated the reduction of 600k tons of Carbon dioxide in 2021, and in 2022, its compressors were used to fuel the hydrogen-powered vehicles that carried athletes and visitors to and from the Beijing Winter Olympics.
Mehrer Compression GmbH, founded in 1889, is a manufacturer and supplier headquartered in Balingen, Germany, specializing in the production of compressors. The company's compressor portfolio includes reciprocating compressors and diaphragm compressors. These compressors have found successful global applications, including enhancing beverages in breweries, facilitating the utilization and integration of energy sources into the grid, as well as serving petrochemical processes and recovering inert gases. The company offers comprehensive services: field support, system retrofit, training through the Mehrer Service Academy, and original spare parts to ensure optimal compressor performance.
Sollant is a manufacturer of durable and dependable Rotary Screw Air Compressors. Their expertise lies in power frequency, frequency conversion, permanent magnet frequency, low voltage, and portable rotary screw air compressors, accompanied by post-processing equipment. These feature cutting-edge controllers and high-efficiency screw elements, ensuring reliability. Sollant's oil lubricated screw air compressors, incorporating Germany's Schneider parts and renowned Chinese accessories, offer impressive energy savings of 30% - 35%. With ISO9001:2000 certification, 4 production lines, and 24/7 engineer after-sales service, Sollant guarantees competitive pricing, superior quality, and two decades of export proficiency.
Dr. Neumann Peltier-Technik GmbH was founded in 1956 and is a manufacturer of thermoelectric products based in Munich, Germany. The company's product range includes switch cabinet dehumidifiers, surface coolers, laboratory technology, energy-autonomous sensor technology, and various accessories. It utilizes Peltier technology to take advantage of its refrigerant-free cooling, vibration, and noise-free operation and robustness against environmental influences like salt mist, dust, and moisture. These benefits allow its products to be used in various applications, even on moving, accelerated, vibrating components or assemblies, and in multiple weather conditions.
J.P. Sauer & Sohn Maschinenbau GmbH, founded in 1884 and based in Kiel, Germany, is a manufacturer of medium and high-pressure air and gas compressors. The company's expertise lies in the development, production, and sale of these compressors, catering to the industrial, offshore, and defense sectors. Its comprehensive product range is categorized into four main lines: SAUER, HAUG, GIRODIN, and EK, featuring oil-lubricated high-pressure compressors, oil-free gas-tight compressors, and specialized compressors designed for the naval market. The company also offers customized solutions for individual customers, OEMs and companies that operate on a global stage.
Siemens Energy is a manufacturer and supplier of energy technology since 2020 and is headquartered in Munich, Germany. They design, manufacture and provide energy technology solutions that suit specific application requirements. Their offerings include power and heat generation, grid technologies, and renewable energy solutions like wind energy, and energy services aimed at optimizing performance and achieving maximum output. Siemens Energy provides services and products to a wide range of industries, including power generation, transmission and distribution, renewable energy, and industrial operations. Their products and services help these industries improve their energy efficiency with sustainability.
Hycomp was founded in 1969 and is headquartered in Hyde Park, Utah is a manufacturer of oil-free air compressors. The company offers a diverse product range including natural gas compressors and boosters, hydrogen compressors, and helium compressors among others. These products have applications in medical device manufacture, municipal water treatment systems, and gas separation industries. It extends services like compressor tracking database schedules preventative repair and maintenance, and a complete line of spare and replacement parts.
Howden, originaly founded in Scotland in 1854, now part of Chart Industries, Inc., is a global supplier of mission critical air and gas handling products and solutions, providing service and support to customers around the world. With the power of engineering expertise and technology, the company's equipment play an integral role within their customers’ processes, providing sustainable and efficient solutions. They support multiple sectors including infrastructure, power generation, oil & gas, mining and transportation and more. They have also built a strong global network in more than 100 countries.
Ranking as of December 2024
Derivation Method| Rank | Company | Click Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sundyne |
17.6%
|
| 2 | Howden Group |
15.0%
|
| 3 | Hycomp, Inc. |
12.6%
|
| 4 | Mehrer Compression GmbH |
11.6%
|
| 5 | Dr. Neumann Peltier-Technik GmbH |
9.3%
|
| 6 | Fluitron, Inc. |
8.6%
|
| 7 | PDC Machines, Inc. |
8.0%
|
| 8 | Siemens Energy |
7.0%
|
| 9 | J.P. Sauer & Sohn Maschinenbau GmbH |
6.6%
|
| 10 | Sollant |
3.7%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the hydrogen compressor page as of December 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
*Including some distributors, etc.
| Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
|---|---|---|
|
Germany
|
4 | 57.1% |
|
United States of America
|
2 | 28.6% |
|
China
|
1 | 14.3% |
