Silent Power: How Metal Hydrides Could Revolutionize Hydrogen Compression

Q- Can "Thermal Hydrogen Compression" technology help to lower the cost of hydrogen compression?

Now I will explore the concept of "Thermal Hydrogen Compression" utilizing "Metal Hydrides". 

Hydrogen is a clean energy source, but compressing it can be expensive and noisy. 

Thermal Hydrogen Compression using Metal Hydrides! This innovative technology offers a quieter, potentially cheaper solution. 

Discover how it works, its benefits, and how it could transform hydrogen use!

This post reflect my personal knowledge, advice, perspective, experience and research

Thermal Hydrogen Compression with Metal Hydrides What Is It?

Thermal Hydrogen Compression is an absorption-based system that employs the properties of reversible metal hydride alloys.

Here’s how it works:

Hydrogen is absorbed into a metal hydride alloy bed at ambient temperature.

When the bed is heated with hot water, the hydrogen is released at elevated pressure.

Key Advantages:

• Silent and Clean: Unlike mechanical compressors, thermal compressors using metal hydrides operate silently and without emissions.
• High Pressures: These systems can achieve pressures exceeding 600 bar driven solely by waste heat at temperatures around 150°C.
• Ideal Replacement: Metal hydride-based thermal compressors are excellent candidates to replace traditional mechanical compressors2.
• Applications:
• Hydrogen Delivery: Efficiently transport hydrogen from central production facilities to end-use points.
• Fuel Cell Vehicles: Enable clean and reliable hydrogen supply for fuel cell vehicles.
• Industrial and Backup Power: Support industrial vehicles, backup power systems, and more

🟦 What is metal hydrides?

Metal hydrides are compounds formed by the bonding of metal atoms and hydrogen. These materials possess a range of properties and have significant potential for applications, especially in hydrogen storage and compression.

🟦 A compilation of significant metal hydrides:

1- Sodium alanate (NaAlH₄)
2- Lithium alanate (LiAlH₄)
3- Magnesium alanate (Mg(AlH₄)₂)
4- Lithium borohydride (LiBH₄)
5- Sodium borohydride (NaBH₄)
6- Magnesium borohydride (Mg(BH₄)₂)
7- Potassium alanate (KAlH₄)
8- Sodium borocyanide (NaBH₃CN)
9- Calcium hydride (CaH₂)
10- Lanthanum nickel hydride (LaNi₅H₆)
11- Ammonium borane (NH₄BH₃)
12- Lithium amide borohydride (LiH₂ABH₃)

🟦 How do Metal Hydride Hydrogen Compressors work?

1. Hystorsys Metal hydride hydrogen compressors use solid-state metal hydride technology. During absorption and desorption processes, they transfer heat and mass (hydrogen) in the reaction bed.

2. The hydrogen compressor has a metal hydride vessel filled with a hydrogen storage alloy and a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger removes heat during charge mode and supplies heat during discharge mode.

3. Hydrogen is absorbed by the alloy during charging, forming metal hydride. The heat is removed through cooling. The saturated metal hydride is heated, releasing hydrogen at high pressures.

4. By using two or more metal hydride vessels, continuous hydrogen compression can be arranged.

5. The heating and cooling of metal hydride vessels occur in opposite phases. When one vessel is cooled, it absorbs low-pressure hydrogen while the other vessel is heated, desorbing high-pressure hydrogen into the discharge line.

6. Hydrogen is absorbed in the first vessel and desorbed in the second vessel. Then, the first vesel is heated to release hydrogen while the second vessel is cooled to absorb hydrogen from the charge line.

🟦 HYMEHC hydrogen metal hydride compressor:

a. 'No moving parts' = less wear + lower maintenance cost.

b. 'Vibration-free' and silent operation.

c. 'Flexible installation' and small footprint.

d. 'High safety' = low risk of mixing oxygen + hydrogen

e. Operating costs reduction by using waste heat

🟦 HYMEHC hydrogen metal hydride compressor capacity:

⏭️ HYMEHC - 04
Capacity = 4 Nm3/h
Inlet Pressure = 2 - 30 bar
Compression Ratio = 1:10
Max. Hydrogen Pressure = 250 bar

⏭️ HYMEHC - 08
Capacity = 8 Nm3/h
Inlet Pressure = 2 - 30 bar
Compression Ratio = 1:10
Max. Hydrogen Pressure = 250 bar

⏭️ HYMEHC - 12
Capacity = 12 Nm3/h
Inlet Pressure = 2 - 30 bar
Compression Ratio = 1:10
Max. Hydrogen Pressure = 250 bar