Hydrogen liquefaction is the process of compressing and cooling hydrogen gas until it condenses into a liquid state at 20 K (-253 °C). The liquid state is more compact and easier to handle than its gaseous form. It is stored without pressure in special insulated containers until it is ready to be transported in trailers or used. One liquid hydrogen trailer replaces four to eight truck trips with compressed hydrogen.
Linde has decades of experience in the construction of hydrogen liquefaction systems.
We offer liquefiers from small (<3 mTPD) to medium (5 -30 mTPD) to large capacities (>50 mTPD).
A series of new projects in recent years have been carried out as lump sum turnkey installations or as E&E supplies with subsequent supervision of installation and commissioning. This fund of experience has been the basis for the continuous development of components. Key components include aluminum-plate heat exchangers and expansion turbines with dynamic gas bearings, developed and manufactured in our own production centers.
The following main components are used for this process:
For larger-scale systems, separate cold boxes can be considered – a first box for cooling the hydrogen from ambient temperature to 80 K and a second box from 80 K down to 20 K.
Further system components of a liquefaction plant are: