Linear Motor Reciprocating Compressor (LMRC) for Forecourt Hydrogen Compression Award Number: DE-EE0006666 CX(s) Applied: A9, B3.6 Fuel Cells technology Office Date: 07/24/2014 Location(s): TX Office(s): Golden Field Office
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Linear Motor Reciprocating Compressor (LMRC) for Forecourt Hydrogen Compression
Award Number: DE-EE0006666
CX(s) Applied: A9, B3.6
Fuel Cells Technology Office
Date: 07/24/2014
Location(s): TX
Office(s): Golden Field Office
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is proposing to provide federal funding to Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) to develop, fabricate, and demonstrate a Linear Motor Reciprocating Compressor (LMRC) that would be used for hydrogen gas compression at hydrogen refueling stations.
The proposed project would develop a LMRC capable of delivering gaseous hydrogen at a minimum pressure of 875 bar (12,700 psi) and flow rates greater than 10 kg/hr, which would allow for 700 bar forecourt (station onsite) gaseous dispensing. In budget period (BP) 1, the detailed design of the compressor, along with a performance and cost analysis would be completed. In BP 2, the construction and commissioning of the bench-scale LMRC would be completed. In BP 3, SwRI would demonstrate that the operation of the bench-scale system meets the project specifications of delivering gaseous hydrogen at a minimum pressure, flow rate, and isentropic efficiency. All project work would take place at SwRI’s Research and Development Laboratories at 6220 Culebra Road, San Antonio, TX 78238 and at ACI Services, Inc.’s facilities located at 125 Steubenville Ave, Cambridge, OH 43725. There would be no testing or demonstration of the technology outside of the above-listed facilities. Both facilities are existing buildings on private property complying with all federal safety, health, and emergency plan regulations. No facilities modifications are anticipated and no new permits would be required. Little or no toxic waste would be generated by this project and any generated would be disposed of according to government regulations. All equipment testing would be completed by trained laboratory employees. Testing involving high pressure hydrogen would be performed in appropriate test facilities that are designed to contain an explosion and have the necessary ventilation systems and gas sensing technology to detect and handle any leakage or accumulation of hydrogen.