Elliott Group has developed a new, configurable compressor arrangement designed to enhance operational flexibility in hydrogen applications. The Flex-Op compressor arrangement allows for improved reliability and accessibility to the rotating components.

“Hydrogen compression requires a large number of compression stages to achieve a reasonable head for a very light gas,” said Dr. Klaus Brun, Elliott’s Director of Research and Development. “With the Flex-Op arrangement of three to four casings, up to 40 impeller stages can fit into a footprint that traditionally only fit up to 10 stages. This shrinks the linear footprint of the compressor section from 40 feet or more to about 10 feet, and offers up to four times the compression capability within the approximate linear footprint of one compressor.”

In the Flex-Op arrangement, individual compressors can be run in series or in parallel, or both. This is achieved with three to four centrifugal compressors arranged about a single multi-pinion gearbox. Each rotor is connected to its own pinion via a flexible shaft coupled to the central gear, which means the rotor speeds can be individually optimized for highest aerodynamic efficiency. Elliott’s barrel casing configuration, coupled with the single multi-pinion gearbox, allows the entire assembly to be powered by a motor with a variable frequency drive (VFD) or a motor in conjunction with a variable speed drive (VSD) for speed control.

The Flex-Op arrangement has many advantages over reciprocating or high-speed centrifugal compressors. It uses standard Elliott designed compressors and impellers, and is compact and easy to maintain and repair. It can engage or disengage individual compressors, switch between series and parallel operation, and run each compressor at different speeds. Most importantly, for pure hydrogen compression, the process gas is safe from risk of oil contamination. The Flex-Op design is not limited to hydrogen applications, but is also suitable for energy storage and other process compression and refining applications.