Water-Flooded Rotary Compressor for Oil-Free Hydrogen Gas Compression
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current hydrogen gas compression systems face challenges with the size, maintenance, and cost of high-pressure, low-volume oil-free reciprocating compressors, and the need for contaminant-free hydrogen gas to prevent equipment damage and efficiency issues in applications like hydrogen fuel cells.
Innovation Solution
A hydrogen gas compression system incorporating a primary gas inlet, compression stage with a water-flooded rotary compressor, separation stage to remove liquid water, and a drying stage using adsorption-type gas dryers to produce dry compressed hydrogen gas, with an encapsulating vessel for containment and a water return circuit for efficient lubrication and water reuse.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If high-pressure, low-volume oil-free reciprocating compressors are used to compress hydrogen gas to high pressures, then the compression capability is achieved, but the equipment size becomes large and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional reciprocating compressor mechanism with a rotary compressor that uses liquid water injection instead of mechanical seals and valves. The rotary elements (screws, vanes, or lobes) continuously rotate to compress gas, eliminating the need for complex reciprocating motion mechanisms, pistons, and high-pressure seals, thereby reducing equipment size and complexity while achieving high compression pressures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces liquid water into the compression chamber to serve multiple functions: lubricating the rotating elements, sealing the working chamber, and cooling the compressed gas. This hydraulic approach replaces traditional mechanical sealing and lubrication systems, simplifying the compressor design while enabling high-pressure operation
2Stress or pressure
If high-pressure, low-volume oil-free reciprocating compressors are used to compress hydrogen gas to high pressures, then the compression capability is achieved, but maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical seals, valves, and lubrication systems with a liquid water injection system in a rotary compressor. This eliminates wear-prone components that require frequent maintenance and repair, while still achieving high compression pressures through the continuous rotary motion and water-mediated sealing
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid water injected into the compression chamber serves multiple self-service functions: it lubricates the rotating elements, seals the working chamber, and cools the compressed gas. This multi-functional approach reduces the need for separate maintenance systems and simplifies operational requirements
3Device complexity
If compressed hydrogen gas contains water and oxygen contaminants, then the compression process is simpler, but equipment damage and efficiency problems occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes water and oxygen contaminants from the compressed hydrogen gas through dedicated separation and drying stages. The liquid water is separated in a separator, and the gas stream is dried to remove residual moisture, ensuring contaminant-free hydrogen output that protects downstream equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses liquid water as an intermediary substance during compression, then systematically removes it through separation and drying stages. This intermediary approach enables efficient compression while ensuring the final hydrogen gas is free from water and oxygen contaminants, protecting equipment reliability
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system achieves high compression ratios with efficient contaminant removal, reducing equipment size and maintenance costs while ensuring hydrogen gas is free of water and oxygen, suitable for applications requiring high-pressure hydrogen.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid water inlet through which liquid water is delivered into the working chamber to provide lubrication to the rotating elements, and sealing of the working chamber
Implementation Method 2
The separation stage is in communication with the compression stage discharge and includes at least one separator that is configured to separate a liquid component, such as liquid water, from the fluid stream
Implementation Method 3
The drying stage is in communication with the separation stage and includes at least one adsorption-type gas dryer that is configured to adsorb and thereby remove water vapour from the gas stream
Implementation Method 4
at least one rotary compressor... that are driven via an input shaft to compress gas passing through the working chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A system for compressing hydrogen gas may include a compression stage with a water lubricated and sealed compressor, a gas-liquid separation stage, and a drying stage with an adsorption-type gas dryer. The system receives hydrogen gas via an inlet and discharges dry compressed hydrogen gas via an outlet. The system has an encapsulating vessel defining a cavity within which the separation stage and drying stage are located.