German CleanTech H₂ mobility startup Cryomotive and French industrial group Fives have signed a Cooperation Agreement to jointly develop and validate a cryogenic pump for generating CRYOGAS H₂ based on Fives’ cryogenic reciprocating pump technology. The Cryomec Hy-Filling pump designed by Fives, will be a key component of future H₂ refueling stations for long-haul truck and other heavy-duty transport applications.

CRYOGAS, also called cryo-compressed H₂ gas (CcH₂), is a high-density cryogenic compressed H₂ gas, which can reach densities of 80 kg/m³ and more at pressure levels between 30 MPa and 40 Mpa. The CRYOGAS technology offers a higher physical density than liquid H₂ (LH₂) while being thermally robust since it cannot evaporate. As CRYOGAS can be generated by cryogenic compression of LH₂ as well as by cryo-cooling of compressed H₂ gas (GH₂), Cryomotive and Fives target to develop a reciprocating cryogenic pump to compress LH₂ with a high-flow rate, low footprint and low energy consumption.

A disruptive technology at the heart of future H₂ truck filling stations

Based on agreed performance targets for the future Cryomec Hy-Filling CRYOGAS reciprocating pump, Cryomotive’s refueling station will be able to fuel future H₂ trucks in 10 to 15 minutes with up to 80 kg of CRYOGAS, enabling a 1,000 km drive in a long-haul fuel cell or H₂ internal combustion engine truck. As a part of Cryomotive’s CRYOGAS H₂ refueling station, the Cryomec Hy-Filling CRYOGAS pump will open the door for a cost-effective and energy-efficient compact H₂ filling station, allowing unlimited back-to-back refueling of trucks, buses and other heavy-duty vehicles.

“Cryomotive’s CcH2 CRYOGAS storage and refueling technology can pave the way for emission-free hydrogen-powered long-haul trucks at par with Diesel in terms of range, refueling time and cost. Fives’ reciprocating cryogenic pump to generate high-density CRYOGAS is a key enabler of future cost-effective hydrogen refueling stations,” emphasized Christiane Heyer, Managing Director and Co-founder of Cryomotive.

“As a worldwide leader in cryogenics, Fives has been at the forefront of hydrogen for decades. We have manufactured more than 8,000 pumps in our workshop in Allschwil, Switzerland, and are looking forward to developing this new model with Cryomotive to boost green mobility for trucks and heady-duty vehicles,” said Xavier Nicolas, CEO of Fives Cryomec AG.

“Fives is proud to enter a strategic partnership with Cryomotive in the field of CRYOGAS, and to extend its footprint as a key hydrogen pump technology provider to the industry,” said Frédéric Thrum, Deputy General Manager of Fives and President of the Energy Division. “This agreement follows our ambition to serve the decarbonization of the industry, providing cutting edge cryogenic equipment along the hydrogen value chain.”