HYDROGEN
Hydrogen is the most common element in the Universe. On Earth, it is generally combined with other atoms such as oxygen in water (H2O) or carbon in hydrocarbons (methane, oil components…) or biomass.
Therefore, hydrogen has to be produced, either by splitting the water molecule into hydrogen and oxygen by electrolysis, or by extracting hydrogen from a hydrocarbon or biomass molecule with different thermochemical processes (reforming, pyrolysis, gasification…)
Once produced, hydrogen can be used as a fuel, either in an internal combustion engine or in a fuel cell, via an electrochemical reaction.
During this process, hydrogen recombines with oxygen to form water. There are therefore no CO or fine particles emissions impacting air quality. Thus, hydrogen is a very interesting solution for the energy transition, especially when it is produced from carbon-free energy sources.
In addition, hydrogen is a high mass density fuel (33 kWh/kg, about 3 times more than diesel or gasoline), which makes it very interesting as a transport fuel. On the other hand, it takes a lot of space. It must therefore be compressed in order to be used in vehicles. This is the main function of a hydrogen refueling station.
EIFHYTEC develops innovative hydrogen compressors for hydrogen refueling stations.