Request for Information: Hydrogen Compressor Manufacturing Capabilities

Request for Information (RFI) No. RGJ-8-82090 "Hydrogen Compressor Manufacturing Capabilities" December 12, 2017 INTRODUCTION The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is one of the U.S. Department of Energy's national laboratories for renewable energy and energy efficiency research and development. NREL develops renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies and practices, advances related science and engineering, and transfers knowledge and innovations to address the nation's energy and environmental goals. OBJECTIVE NREL is seeking feedback from manufacturers on hydrogen compressor manufacturing capability that meet specifications that may satisfy future needs of hydrogen station requirements. The general requirements for all of the systems that follow are that the compressors are hydrogen compatible and maintain high product purity. For all of the systems described below, information on cost, efficiency (kWh/kg), balance of plant requirements (cooling, electrical power, etc.), noise level, footprint and any general comments on the type of systems is requested. The information received will be used to assess the most efficient and cost-effective equipment configurations available as well as identify the current hydrogen equipment manufacturing capabilities. The goal of this RFI is to identify potential collaborations for future testing and evaluation of hydrogen compressors. Variable Flow Compressor Often, compressors operate best when long duty cycles are imposed. Frequent starting and stopping creates stress on the mechanical components that could lead to early failure. This creates a challenge when pairing a compressor with a variable production source, such as renewables. A successful compressor would be able to vary its flow from 10 - 100% in response times that match the flow of a variable hydrogen production source. Expected transient response from the compressor is expected to be in the 1 Hz range to meet highly variable production needs. In this concept the compressor is fed by an electrolyzer direct connected to renewables or participating in grid services, both yielding variable production. One benefit of a compressor that can match the variable flow rate of an electrolyzer is the reduction of the volume of permanent buffer storage which would currently be required. The systems below contain specifications that are expected to meet required performance for variable flow compressors. Please specify which system number you are commenting on when providing feedback. Variable Flow Systems 1 - Low Flow System - Inlet Pressure Range: 100 - 400 psig (7 - 28 barg) - Maximum Outlet Pressure: 5,000 - 6,500 psig (345 - 448 barg) - Flow Rate Range: 10 - 100 kg/day (10 - 100%) 2 - MW Size Electrolyzer - Inlet Pressure Range: 100 - 400 psig (7 - 28 barg) - Maximum Outlet Pressure: 5,000 - 6,500 psig (345 - 448 barg) - Maximum Flow Rate: 40 - 400 kg/day (10 - 100%) 3 - Multi-MW Large System - Inlet Pressure Range: 100 - 400 psig (7 - 28 barg) - Maximum Outlet Pressure: 5,000 - 6,500 psig (345 - 448 barg) - Maximum Flow Rate: 400 - 4,000 kg/day (10 - 100%) High Throughput Compressor As FCEV penetration increases and demand for hydrogen increases, future hydrogen stations will require multiple fueling positions for simultaneous fueling of FCEV. These high throughput stations will require either multiple compressors or one large compressor onsite to handle the high flow rates associated with hydrogen fueling. Compressors may be fed from on-site storage, on site production or pipelines. The following concepts highlight some of the needs in this space. High Throughput Systems 4 - Medium to High Pressure Booster - Inlet Pressure Range: 2,000 - 6,000 psig (138 - 414 barg) - Maximum Outlet Pressure: 12,500 - 14,000 psig (862 - 965 barg) - Maximum Flow Rate: 1,440 - 4,320 kg/day (1 - 3 kg/min) 5 - Low to High Pressure Compressor - Inlet Pressure Range: 300 - 1,000 psig (21 - 69 barg) - Maximum Outlet Pressure: 12,500 - 14,000 psig (862 - 965 barg) - Maximum Flow Rate: 1,440 - 4,320 kg/day (1 - 3 kg/min) 6 - Medium or Heavy Duty Applications - Inlet Pressure Range: 300 - 1,000 psig (21 - 69 barg) - Maximum Outlet Pressure: 6,000 - 7,000 psig (414 - 483 barg) - Maximum Flow Rate: 1,440 - 4,320 kg/day (1 - 3 kg/min) THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION, NOT A SOURCES SOUGHT OR REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL. VERBAL RESPONSES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. ALL INQUIRIES MUST BE PROVIDED IN WRITING VIA E-MAIL. Responses are requested not later than close of business, 02/01/18 via email to Joann Sheldon (joann.sheldon@nrel.gov). Telephone calls will not be accepted. The response is limited to 8 pages of single spaced text of 12-point font or equivalent, with minimum 1" margins all around. Brevity is encouraged. The response shall include: - Name and address of the company - Point of contact including name, title, phone and email address