Hydrogen

Hydrogen

With fuel cells and storage tanks Hydrogen is used to create electricity inside vehicles or as a stationary power plant. Partnering with HyET Hydrogen, Swagelok, WEH Technologies, and Renewable Innovations in implementing and supplying electrochemical compression, pipeline injection controls and extraction membranes, fuel cells, and more. Lancer Energy is positioned to be the leading installer of Hydrogen projects in North America.

Hydrogen Compression

Lancer Energy has partnered with HyET Hydrogen to lead the field of electrochemical Hydrogen compression to develop products with a focus on application and integration. HyET, founded in 2008, introduced the first commercially viable Electrochemical Hydrogen Compressor (EHPC), the HCS 100, in 2017. HyET’s Electrochemical Hydrogen Purification and Compression (EHPC) technology lowers CAPEX and OPEX of the Hydrogen supply chain for all current industrial Hydrogen markets for future Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) markets.

HyET HCS100 Hydrogen Compressor module

HyET HCS100

The HyET HCS100 Hydrogen Compressor Stack is compact and modular to be able to rapidly increase capacity. As an Electrochemical Hydrogen Compressor (EHPC) the HCS100 has no moving parts, no compressor oil contamination, and no vibrations. In a single stage the HyET HCS100 compressor can reach pressures of 15,000psi and use much lower energy compared to other methods.

The HyET HCS100 Hydrogen Compressor Stack with its Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA) systems combine an optimum combination of proton conductivity, barrier characteristics, and mechanical strength. HyET engineered their MEA for high performance, stability, and long reliability using state of the art materials and processes.

Cross section of HyET HCS100 Hydrogen Compressor Stack
Hydrogen production modular containers

Hydrogen Production

Electrolysis

Atmospheric Alkaline
Electrolysis

In the electrolyser, electric energy is used to split water into Hydrogen and oxygen gases. Hydrogen gas is evolved at the cathode side of a cell and exits through perforations in the cathode side separator plate to the Hydrogen manifold channels. At the same time, oxygen gas is evolved at the anode side of the cells. Hydrogen and oxygen gas then enters the Hydrogen separator and oxygen separator respectively, where lye is separated from the gases and recycled through a pump back into the electrolyser. Hydrogen gas is then fed to the Temperature Swing Adsorption (TSA) unit for further purification while oxygen is vented out as a by-product or can be upgraded and used if necessary.

Proton Exchange Membrane
(PEM) Electrolysis

Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) electrolysers generate Hydrogen using treated water and elevated pressures up to 30 bar (435 Psi) at the cathode . The high bubble point of the membrane separates oxygen and Hydrogen. Oxygen is output on the anode at near ambient pressures. PEM systems are safe and simple, but their membrane materials like iridium, platinum, and gold mean a higher CAPEX.

Stream Methane Reforming (SMR)

Natural Gas reforming is a mature production process that uses low-cost pipeline Natural Gas. 95% of Hydrogen produced in the United States is made by Natural Gas reforming. Natural Gas contains Methane (CH4) that can be used to produce Hydrogen with thermal processes like Steam Methane Reforming (SMR) that uses water steam produced from waste heat and is combined with desulphurised Natural Gas and led into the reformer. Any remaining carbon monoxide is then converted in the Water Gas Shift (WGS) assembly to produce more Hydrogen. The gases then enter a Pressure Swing Absorber (PSA) where the Hydrogen is separated from other gaseous species under elevated pressure using differences in adsorption properties. The cleaned Hydrogen is then stored in a buffer vessel and can be used as an industrial gas or energy source.

Hydrogen storage tanks

Hydrogen Storage

Hydrogen fuel storage tanks are carbon-fiber wrapped cylinders that are lined with metal (Type III) and/or polymer (Type IV). Each tank is equipped with its own thermally-activated pressure relief device that is designed to safely vent the tank’s contents if temperatures rise. Tank testing standards are nationally and internationally recognized (meeting SAE International / FMVSS and Global Technical Regulation standards) for a typical service lifetime of 15 years and could qualify for 20+ years of service life with additional testing.