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Current state-of-the-art mechanical compression technologies like piston, metal membrane or screw compressors require numerous stages to compress low-pressure hydrogen to output pressures above 100 bar and struggle with complete oil-free designs to avoid contaminations of the compressed hydrogen.
Electrochemical hydrogen compressors (EHC) have gained particular interest in recent years as promising alternative without noise-emissions and contamination risks. Nevertheless, further research efforts are required to make the technology competitive in terms of cost and operation and to fully utilise its potential. Extensive test trials on single cell and stack level pave the way towards optimized cell material selections and operating strategies to reach these goals.
Based on the learnings of a first-generation prototype cell, a stackable cell design was developed featuring various improvements to test single cells and short stacks. The design enables a compression from 1 to 110 bar within 1 stage corresponding to the priority application range for EHCs. In comparison, a mechanical compressor requires up to 4 stages to achieve this compression ratio, leading to low overall compression efficiencies below 50 %.
By exchanging flat gaskets with O-rings and applying plastic frames, the long-term dimensional stability and sealing effect will be improved. The reduction of inner cell materials to a lower number of single layers further facilitates homogeneous assembly and limits misalignments. FEM-simulations were conducted to prove the suitability of the frame material for the intended operating pressure.
In order to assess the performance of various porous transport layers and membrane electrode assemblies, additional measurement devices can be incorporated in the cell.

Impact and effects

With the developed stackable cell design, comprehensive testing and characterization opportunities are facilitated. The design leads to substantially faster and more reliable assembly processes. Measurements of the current distribution over the entire active cell area allow conclusions to be drawn about effective water management and electrical contacting of the cell layers. Conducting single cell and stack tests both for compression and purification purposes will help to reduce operational instabilities, material induced overvoltages and associated degradation effects. This development marks a crucial step towards a competitive EHC/EHP technology for a safe and efficient hydrogen distribution and application.

Project partners

• Energienetze Steiermark, AUT
• Wien Energie, AUT
• OMV Downstream, AUT
• TÜV SÜD Österreich, AUT
• voestalpine Stahl Donawitz, AUT
• Austrian Institute of Technology, AUT
• Graz University of Technology, AUT
• Politecnico di Milano, IT
• Heraeus, GER

This success story was provided by the centre management and by the mentioned project partners for the purpose of being published on the FFG website. HyCentA COMET Center is a COMET Centre within the COMET – Competence Centers for Excellent Technologies Programme and funded by BMIMI, BMWET, provinces of Styria, Upper Austria, Tyrol, and Vienna and the SFG. The COMET Programme is managed by FFG. Further information on COMET: www.ffg.at/comet