Powering the Energy Transition: Hydrogen Production, Transportation and Usage

Hydrogen is one of the most promising new and emerging means for driving decarbonization and the energy transition. Building on decades of experience in processing hydrogen, Atlas Copco Gas and Process centrifugal turbocompressors and turboexpanders enable many critical processes throughout the hydrogen value chain.

Did you know?

Atlas Copco Gas and Process recently commissioned a single-stage integrally-geared centrifugal boil-off gas (BOG) compressor for carrier hydrogen (hydrogen transportation). This compressor has been designed to operate at minus-253 degrees Celsius (-253° C) – the coldest operating temperature recorded for an integrally-geared centrifugal compressor.

Drawing from our experience in cryogenic LNG and air separation applications we have advanced our turbocompressors, expander-compressors and expander-generators to serve all hydrogen transportation sectors, including: hydrogen liquefaction, hydrogen boil-off-gas and hydrogen propulsion.

As hydrogen usage expands globally, new applications will emerge, requiring novel rotating equipment solutions. Atlas Copco Gas and Process is committed to being at the forefront of these new hydrogen frontiers, continuing to apply our extensive knowledge in rotating equipment to solve the challenges of tomorrow.

Hydrogen Production

Hydrogen production can be realized in different ways. For example, by using technologies such as the Steam Methane Reformer (SMR), Autothermal Reforming (ATR), or electrolysis. From hydrocarbon-dominant grey hydrogen sources to increasingly sustainable “blue” and “green” hydrogen, Atlas Copco Gas and Process designs centrifugal compressors and expanders engineered to rise to the challenges of hydrogen production.

Hydrogen Transportation

One economically viable method to enable hydrogen transportation is liquefaction. Turboexpanders and compressors are critical in efficient LH2 plant designs. Our solutions enable plant operators to achieve lower specific energy consumptions. They can operate in the industry’s most cryogenic working environments.

Hydrogen Usage

Pure hydrogen is essential as a feedstock and fuel in many applications of modern industries. This includes the mobility sector, power generation, chemical/petrochemical, fertilizer and refinery (i.e., ammonia production). All processes handling hydrogen require robust and reliable turbomachinery design and high-quality manufacturing.