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A joint research team from the Helmut Schmidt University/ University of the Bundeswehr in Hamburg and the Helmholtz Zentrum Hereon has developed and presented an innovative metal hydride compressor system. For the first time, hydrogen takes on a dual function: it serves not only as the medium to be compressed but also simultaneously as a heat transfer agent. The results were recently published in the journal Nature Communications Engineering and have been patented in advance.
At the center of the work is a so called metal hydride compressor. These systems are considered a promising alternative to mechanical compressors because they are operated primarily with heat rather than electrical energy. Until now, however, their performance has been limited by the slow heat transport within the metal hydride material.
The new concept overcomes this limitation by circulating hydrogen in a closed loop through the metal hydride, directly transferring heat in the process. A cold loop supports hydrogen absorption in the metal hydride, while a hot loop enables its release. “We use hydrogen not only as the working medium but also simultaneously as an effective heat transfer agent. This allows us to bypass previously limiting heat conduction processes and avoid complex internal heat exchanger structures,” explains Lukas Fleming, first author of the study and researcher at the Hereon Institute of Hydrogen Technology as well as at the Helmut Schmidt University. “In this way, productivity and efficiency increase. In addition, thermal and mechanical compression technologies are combined. This enables a sustainable hydrogen infrastructure,” adds Dr Julián Puszkiel, who co supervised the study.
Significant leap in performance
Simulation results show that significantly higher power densities can indeed be achieved in this way. In suitable operating ranges, productivity — as a measure of performance — can be substantially increased compared to conventional metal hydride compressors, while the additional electrical energy required for the blower remains comparatively low. Since most of the required energy is supplied in the form of heat, the system also achieves higher electrical efficiency than mechanical compressors.
Conventional mechanical compressors are currently the industry standard, but they involve high maintenance requirements, noise generation, and potential contamination of the hydrogen. Metal hydride compressors, by contrast, operate with minimal wear and are nearly silent.
The work was carried out within the project “Digitalized Hydrogen Process Chain for the Energy Transition” (DigiHyPro) and was funded by dtec.bw – the Digitalization and Technology Research Center of the Bundeswehr – financed through the European Union’s NextGenerationEU program.
About the Helmut Schmidt University/ University of the Bundeswehr Hamburg
The Helmut Schmidt University/ University of the Bundeswehr Hamburg (HSU/UniBw H) is a federal public university located in Hamburg. It was founded in 1972 on the initiative of then Minister of Defense Helmut Schmidt. Under the leadership of President Prof Klaus Beckmann, the university combines excellent research, international networking, and academic teaching with practice oriented training. It educates officer cadets and civilian students to become specialists and leaders for society, industry, and the German Armed Forces. With four faculties, it offers 39 state accredited bachelor’s and master’s degree programs, including five continuing education programs. HSU/UniBw H has more than 2500 students and employs around 1300 staff in research, administration, and technical services.
Cutting-edge research for a changing world
The goal of science at the Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon is to preserve a world worth living in. To this end, around 1,000 employees generate knowledge and research new technologies for greater resilience and sustainability – for the benefit of the climate, the coast, and humanity. The path from idea to innovation involves a continuous interplay between experimental studies, modeling, and artificial intelligence, culminating in digital twins that map the diverse parameters of climate and coastlines or human biology in a computer. This interdisciplinary approach bridges the gap between a fundamental scientific understanding of complex systems and practical scenarios and applications. As an active member of national and international research networks and the Helmholtz Association, Hereon supports politics, business, and society in shaping a sustainable future by transferring the expertise it has gained.
Lukas Fleming
Scientist
Institute of Hydrogen Technology
Tel.: +49 (0)172 14670563
Mail: lukas.fleming@hereon.de
https://doi.org/10.1038/s44172-026-00615-6
HSU and Hereon are building expertise in the field of metal hydride compressors. This also includes ...
Quelle: Hereon/Christian Schmid
Copyright: Christian Schmid
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