Elliot Group develops a new Flex-Op hydrogen compression solution

Elliot Group* (hereafter "Elliot"), an overseas group company of Ebara Corporation (hereafter "EBARA"), has developed a new freely deployable compressor design arrangement designed to increase operational flexibility in hydrogen compression.

As

global warming progresses year by year, and the intensification of natural disasters causes damage to the entire globe, the realization of a decarbonizing society is required. In our long-term vision, "E-Vision2030," we have set a carbon neutral target of virtually zero-carbon emissions by 2050. In August 2021, we launched a hydrogen-related business project as a corporate project under the direct control of the president. In the transition to a decarbonized society, hydrogen is expected to be a new energy source.

The hydrogen compression design of the new Flex-Op developed by

Elliott is responding to the expected increase in hydrogen demand in the future. Elliott's superior compression technology has been used to arrange the arrangement of the equipment. It is applicable to various applications in hydrogen supply chain processes, such as making, transporting, storing, and using hydrogen.

R&D director Dr. Klaus Brun at Elliott said that hydrogen compression requires a number of compression stages to secure heads for compressing hydrogen, which is a very light gas. Flex-Op arrangements with 3-4 casings allow up to 10 impellers in the same installation space and up to 40 impellers in conventional arrangements. This reduces the axial space of the compressor section from 12 meters to approximately 3 meters. Also, the compressor is capable of compressing up to four times as much as the installation area for one compressor.

the standard compressor and impeller designed by Elliot is adopted, and it is compact and easy to maintain and repair. 2-4 compressors can be operated/stopped individually, switched between series operation and parallel operation, and each compressor can be operated at various speeds. Safety against the risk of oil contamination has also been ensured in applications where high-purity hydrogen is handled. It is suitable not only for hydrogen compression, but also for energy storage, process, petroleum refining, petrochemical and other applications.

We will further increase the speed, size and weight of compressors in the future. The EBARA Group will continue to contribute to the realization of a sustainable society by utilizing the technological capabilities of the entire Group globally.

EBARA Group aims to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and further enhance its corporate value by addressing key ESG issues based on its long-term vision and medium-term management plan.

※ The Elliot Group designs, manufactures and services centrifugal compressors, axial compressors, steam turbines, power recovery expanders, cryogenic pumps and expanders equipped with cutting-edge technologies. These products are used in the petrochemical, petroleum refining, petroleum gas and liquefied gas industries as well as in the electric power industry: