Novel Membranes for Electrochemical Compressors

Hydrogen compression represents a key technical challenge for the widespread use of Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEV). To dispense hydrogen to a FCEV tank, hydrogen must be compressed to a minimum of 875 bar. Conventional compressors account for over half of the refueling station’s cost, have poor reliability, and insufficient flow rates. To enable the widespread use of FCEVs, an additional major investment is required to achieve an infrastructure for low-cost, efficient hydrogen compressors in fueling stations. New developments in membrane technology promise a new generation of very efficient low-cost electrochemical hydrogen compressors (EHC). Giner ELX and Penn State University will extend their extensive experience in high-pressure proton-exchange- membranes to develop an efficient EHC for refueling applications that can deliver hydrogen at pressures of greater than 875 bar (12,700 psi). The program addresses the development and scale-up of novel aromatic membranes that enable a path to advance the EHC technology to a commercial level where EHCs can be used to compress hydrogen for storage and mobile refueling applications. The novel membranes developed in this program will enable a path to advance the EHC technology to a commercial level where EHCs can be used to compress hydrogen for mobile refueling and energy storage applications. These applications include FCEV home re-fuelers, ‘road-side’ emergency re-fuelers, forecourt fueling stations, and due to its scalability, hydrogen (fuel) storage in centralized hydrogen production facilities that utilize renewable energy sources.