Different types of Hydrogen Compressors have their own unique characteristics. The following is an overview of the characteristics of several common types of hydrogen compressors:
1、 Liquid ring compressor
Working principle: The impeller of the liquid ring compressor is eccentrically installed inside the cylindrical pump casing. When the impeller rotates, the working fluid forms a liquid ring under the action of centrifugal force, and the space between the liquid ring and the impeller hub is divided into multiple chambers. As the impeller rotates, the volume of these chambers constantly changes, thereby achieving gas suction, compression, and discharge.
characteristic:
The structure is relatively simple, the operation is smooth, and the vibration and noise are small.
Capable of handling gases containing certain impurities and moisture, with relatively low purity requirements for hydrogen gas.
Suitable for hydrogen compression in the medium pressure range.
The efficiency is relatively low, especially under high pressure ratios.
Regular replacement of working fluids is required, resulting in high maintenance costs.
The exhaust pressure is limited and not suitable for high-pressure hydrogen compression.
2、 Piston compressor
Working principle: The piston performs reciprocating motion inside the cylinder, and compresses the gas by changing the working volume inside the cylinder. During the inhalation process, the piston moves backwards, creating a low-pressure area inside the cylinder where hydrogen gas is drawn into the cylinder; During the compression process, the piston moves forward to compress the hydrogen gas inside the cylinder, increasing its pressure, and then discharging the high-pressure hydrogen gas through the exhaust valve.
characteristic:
Widely applicable, capable of achieving high pressure ratio hydrogen compression.
The compression efficiency is relatively high, especially in the case of multi-stage compression.
Mature technology and high reliability.
Large volume, occupying a large area.
The vibration and noise generated by piston movement are significant.
The maintenance workload is relatively large, requiring regular replacement of vulnerable parts.
3、 Diaphragm compressor
Working principle: Compressing and transporting gas by reciprocating the diaphragm in the cylinder. The diaphragm is clamped by two restriction plates along the periphery and forms a cylinder. The diaphragm is driven back and forth in the cylinder by mechanical or hydraulic means. The cylinder is divided into two parts: the air chamber and the oil chamber. The diaphragm is driven by hydraulic oil to compress the hydrogen gas in the air chamber, thereby achieving the compression and transportation of hydrogen gas.
characteristic:
During the compression process, the gas is completely isolated from the lubricating oil, ensuring the purity of hydrogen gas.
Good sealing performance, high compression ratio, capable of achieving high-pressure hydrogen compression.
Smooth operation, minimal vibration, and low noise.
The diaphragm is a critical component with a limited lifespan and requires regular replacement, resulting in high costs.
The displacement is relatively small and not suitable for high flow hydrogen compression.
The equipment is expensive.
4、 Centrifugal compressor
Working principle: By using a high-speed rotating impeller to do work on the gas, centrifugal force is generated, thereby increasing the pressure and velocity of the gas. After entering the impeller of the centrifugal compressor, hydrogen gas is accelerated and thrown out under the rotation of the impeller, and then enters the diffuser. In the diffuser, the velocity of the gas decreases, the pressure increases, and finally discharged from the compressor.
characteristic:
Large flow rate, suitable for large-scale hydrogen compression and transportation.
There are certain requirements for the molecular weight and density of gases, which are not suitable for the compression of low molecular weight hydrogen gas.
The start-up and operation are relatively complex and require professional technical personnel.
The equipment cost is high and the manufacturing difficulty is high.
5、 Roots blower
Working principle: The working principle of a Roots blower is to compress and transport gas through the rotation of two impellers (usually three or two blades). Two impellers rotate relative to each other under the drive of synchronous gears, compressing and discharging gas in the space between the impellers and the casing.
characteristic:
Simple structure and easy maintenance.
Moderate pressure range, suitable for compression of medium and low pressure hydrogen gas.
The flow is relatively stable and can be adjusted within a certain range.
The compression ratio is relatively low, making it less suitable for high-pressure hydrogen compression.
Relatively low efficiency and high energy consumption.
The noise is loud and noise reduction measures need to be taken.
In summary, different types of hydrogen compressors have their own unique characteristics and applicable ranges. When choosing a hydrogen compressor, it is necessary to consider the specific application scenario and requirements comprehensively.
Different types of hydrogen compressors have their own unique features in terms of structure, working principle, performance characteristics, and applicable scenarios. The following is a detailed comparison:
Structural differences
Liquid ring compressor: Its core components include an impeller eccentrically installed inside a cylindrical pump casing, and a liquid ring formed by the working liquid under centrifugal force. The space between this liquid ring and the impeller hub is divided into multiple chambers, and the volume of these chambers changes as the impeller rotates.
Piston compressor: By reciprocating the piston in the cylinder, the working volume is changed to achieve gas suction, compression, and discharge.
Diaphragm compressor: Its structural feature is that a diaphragm moves back and forth in the cylinder, dividing the cylinder into two parts: the air chamber and the oil chamber. This diaphragm is driven by mechanical or hydraulic means to move inside the cylinder, compressing the hydrogen gas in the chamber.
Centrifugal compressor: equipped with a high-speed rotating impeller and a diffuser for reducing gas velocity. After entering the impeller, hydrogen is accelerated and thrown out by the rotation of the impeller, and then enters the diffuser, where the velocity of the gas decreases and the pressure increases.
Roots blower: Two impellers (three or two blades) rotate relative to each other under the drive of synchronous gears, compressing and discharging gas in the space between the impellers and the casing.
Differences in working principles
Liquid ring compressor: uses the spatial variation between the liquid ring and the impeller hub to achieve gas compression.
Piston compressor: By the reciprocating motion of the piston, the working volume inside the cylinder is changed to achieve gas compression.
Diaphragm compressor: The diaphragm is driven back and forth in the cylinder by hydraulic oil, thereby compressing the hydrogen gas in the chamber.
Centrifugal compressor: uses a high-speed rotating impeller to do work on hydrogen gas, generating centrifugal force and increasing the pressure and velocity of the gas.
Roots blower: By the relative rotation of two impellers, gas is compressed in the space between the impeller and the casing.
Differences in performance characteristics
Liquid ring compressor: operates smoothly, with minimal vibration and noise, capable of handling gases containing certain impurities and moisture, but with relatively low efficiency, especially under high pressure ratios.
Piston compressor: With a wide range of applications, it can achieve high pressure ratio hydrogen compression, high compression efficiency, mature technology, and high reliability. However, it has a large volume, occupies a large area, and generates significant vibration and noise due to piston movement.
Diaphragm compressor: During the compression process, the gas is completely isolated from the lubricating oil, ensuring the purity of hydrogen gas, good sealing, high compression ratio, and smooth operation. However, the diaphragm is a key component with limited service life, high cost, and relatively small displacement.
Centrifugal compressor: With a large flow rate, it is suitable for large-scale hydrogen compression and transportation, but it has certain requirements for the molecular weight and density of the gas. The start-up and operation are relatively complex, and the equipment cost is high.
Roots blower: simple structure, easy maintenance, moderate pressure range, relatively stable flow rate, but relatively low compression ratio, not suitable for high-pressure hydrogen compression, relatively low efficiency, high energy consumption, and loud noise.
Differences in applicable scenarios
Liquid ring compressor: suitable for hydrogen compression in the medium pressure range.
Piston compressor: suitable for high pressure ratio hydrogen compression.
Diaphragm compressor: suitable for compressing hydrogen gas with high purity requirements.
Centrifugal compressor: suitable for large-scale hydrogen compression and transportation.
Roots blower: suitable for medium and low pressure hydrogen compression, with relatively stable flow requirements.
In summary, different types of hydrogen compressors have their own advantages, disadvantages, and applicable scenarios. When selecting, it is necessary to comprehensively consider the specific application needs and conditions.
