Cost-optimal design and operation of hydrogen refueling stations with mechanical and electrochemical hydrogen compressors

Computers & Chemical Engineering, vol. 192, pp. 108862

Abstract

Hydrogen refueling stations (HRS) can cause a significant fraction of the hydrogen refueling cost. The main cost contributor is the currently used mechanical compressor. Electrochemical hydrogen compression (EHC) has recently been proposed as an alternative. However, its optimal integration in an HRS has yet to be investigated. In this study, we compare the performance of a gaseous HRS equipped with different compressors. First, we develop dynamic models of three process configurations, which differ in the compressor technology: mechanical vs. electrochemical vs. combined. Then, the design and operation of the compressors are optimized by solving multi-stage dynamic optimization problems. The optimization results show that the three configurations lead to comparable hydrogen dispensing costs, because the electrochemical configuration exhibits lower capital cost but higher energy demand and thus operating cost than the mechanical configuration. The combined configuration is a trade-off with intermediate capital and operating cost. • A hydrogen refueling station with mechanical and electrochemical compressors is studied. • The design and operation of the refueling station have been optimized. • The different process configurations lead to comparable hydrogen dispensing cost. • There are differences in CAPEX vs OPEX distributions among the different configurations. • In the combined case, there is an efficient trade-off in energy demand and cost.

Authors 4

1. Georgia Ioanna Prokopou Aachen Process Systems Engineering (AVT.SVT)

   RWTH Aachen University · KU Leuven

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Chemical Engineering, KU Leuven, 3001 Leuven, Belgium

   Process Systems Engineering (AVT.SVT), RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany

2. Johannes M.M. Faust Aachen Process Systems Engineering (AVT.SVT)

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Process Systems Engineering (AVT.SVT), RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany

3. Alexander Mitsos Aachen Process Systems Engineering (AVT.SVT)

   RWTH Aachen University · Forschungszentrum Jülich · Jülich Aachen Research Alliance

   Affiliation as printed

   Energy Systems Engineering (ICE-1), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany

   JARA-ENERGY, 52056 Aachen, Germany

   Process Systems Engineering (AVT.SVT), RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany

4. Dominik Bongartz corresponding

   KU Leuven

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Chemical Engineering, KU Leuven, 3001 Leuven, Belgium