US 12,442,377 B2
Process and apparatus for compressing hydrogen gas in a hybrid compression system
Gregory W. Henzler, Emmaus, PA (US); Nicolas John Haryett, Surrey (GB); Ghassan Altimany, North Wales, PA (US); and Patrick J. Smith, Schnecksville, PA (US)
Assigned to AIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS, INC., Allentown, PA (US)
Filed by Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., Allentown, PA (US)
Filed on Jun. 14, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/346,825.
Prior Publication US 2022/0397118 A1, Dec. 15, 2022
Int. Cl. F04D 27/00 (2006.01); C25B 1/04 (2021.01); F04D 17/12 (2006.01); F04D 25/04 (2006.01); F04D 25/06 (2006.01); F04D 25/16 (2006.01); F04D 27/02 (2006.01); F04D 29/58 (2006.01)
CPC F04D 17/12 (2013.01) [C25B 1/04 (2013.01); F04D 25/06 (2013.01); F04D 25/16 (2013.01); F04D 27/0269 (2013.01); F04D 29/5833 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A process for supplying hydrogen for consumption in at least one downstream process, said process comprising:
producing hydrogen gas by electrolysis of water;
compressing said hydrogen gas in a multistage compression system comprising a first section and a further section downstream of said first section to produce compressed hydrogen gas; and
feeding said compressed hydrogen gas produced via the multistage compression system to said downstream process(es),
wherein said first section of said multistage compression system comprises at least one centrifugal compressor powered by electricity generated at least in part from at least one renewable energy source, a cooler to cool the hydrogen gas compressed via the centrifugal compressor and a phase separator to remove liquid from the hydrogen gas compressed via the centrifugal compressor, each centrifugal compressor being driven by a dedicated variable frequency drive to adjust a frequency that the variable frequency drive supplies to a motor of the centrifugal compressor to prevent a drop in discharge pressure at an outlet of the first section, and
wherein said further section of said multistage compression system comprises at least one reciprocating compressor to maintain a discharge pressure at an outlet of the further section during changes in electrical frequency.