Project Title: Experimental studies and development of technology on hydraulic compression of hydrogen

Project No.: lzp-2020/2-0049

Project Acronym: H2CO

Programme: Fundamental and applied research grant of the Latvian Scientific Council

Project Applicant, Leading Partner: Ventspils University of Applied Sciences, Engineering Research Institute “Ventspils International Radio Astronomy Centre” (VUAS ERI VSRC)

Project Cooperation Partner: Institute of Physical Energetics (IPE), reg. No.: 90002128912

Scientific Project Leader: Valērijs Bezrukovs, Leading Researcher at the Engineering Research Institute “Ventspils International Radio Astronomy Centre” of Ventspils University of Applied Sciences

Project Implementation Period: December 1, 2020 – December 31, 2021 (13 months)

Total Project Funding: EUR 100 389.00, IPE funding – EUR 28 540.00

Project Summary:

Hydrogen, obtained through electrolysis or chemical reactions, must be stored in specialized high-pressure containers by compressing or liquefying it. Afterwards, the hydrogen can be supplied to consumers, such as vehicle refueling stations.

The project is designed as an applied research initiative with the aim of acquiring new knowledge and skills for the development of an innovative technological solution – for the compression of gaseous hydrogen and the creation of a prototype of the compression technology. The novelty of the proposed method lies in the fact that a solution already tested in the compression of other gases will be adapted for hydrogen compression. In the developed technology, low-pressure hydrogen gas is compressed by cyclically filling a specialized container with working fluid, thereby increasing the gas pressure. The advantage of the solution is the relatively small number of moving and frictional parts. The developed system for increasing hydrogen pressure may include multiple compression stages.

The project intends to carry out the following tasks:

1. Selection of a fluid compatible with hydrogen gas that can be used as a working fluid for hydrogen compression;
2. Study of gas temperature changes during the compression process;
3. Investigation of the intensity of pressure increase depending on the operating mode of the hydraulic pump;
4. Determination of power and energy consumption for compressing a given volume of gas;
5. Selection of materials for the manufacturing of the compressor and tanks for storing compressed hydrogen at a high compression rate of 35 MPa.

Contacts:

Scientific Project Leader – Valērijs Bezrukovs, e-mail: valerijs.bezrukovs@venta.lv

Administrative Project Leader – Ieva Rozenberga, e-mail: ieva.rozenberga@venta.lv