European Hydrogen Filling Station EUHYFIS

• Research unit: EU RFP
• Project number: 98.0002

Key words (English)

Refuelling; hydrogen; water electrolysis; renewable energy

Alternative project number (English)

EU project number: JOE3-CT98-7043

Research programs (English)

EU-programme: 4. Frame Research Programme - 5.1 Nonnuclear energies

Short description (English)

See abstract

Partners and International Organizations (English)

ARGO GmbH (D); BAUER KOMPRESSOREN GmbH (D); EFKON GmbH (A); PLANET GbR (D); R&D PERFORMERS: LUDWIG BÖLKOV SYSTEMETECHNIK LBST (D); MILAN UNIVERSITY (I); OLDENBURG UNIVERSITY (D); FRAUNHOFER INSTITUT (D); INNOGAS (NL)

Abstract (English)

EUHYFIS is a refuelling system which produces hydrogen on-site via water electrolysis. Hydrogen is then compressed to 300 bar.
The system comprises the chain of renewable energy input/electrolyser/compressor/high pressure storage/fuelling nozzle. The project objectives included components development, system integration, performance demonstration. The project tasks:
- improving electrolyser performance and lifetime under fluctuating and interrupted power input by investigating appropriate electrode coating materials (Casale and Milan University);
- adapting a CNG compressor to hydrogen (Bauer and Fraunhofer Institut);
- system modelling for optimisation (Planet and Oldenburg University);
- safety regulations evaluation (Efkon and Innogas);
- ecological and efficiency balances (Efkon, Planet and LBST);
- system design and components matching (Efkon and LBST);
- demonstration scheme planning (Argo, Planet, LBST).
The project was completed with overall success.
A coherent design concept for the EUHYFIS system was accomplished.
The computer model has demonstrated to be a viable tool.
The electrolysis set up met all targets: efficiency could be increased by 15%; the new electrodes operating under interrupted and fluctuating power input performed without corrosion or loss of efficiency.
Most difficulties were encountered with regard to compressor development, with lubrication problems and replacement of several components.
The demonstration unit has been designed in detail, ready for possible construction under specific circumstances.

References in databases (English)

Swiss Database: Euro-DB of the
State Secretariat for Education and Research
Hallwylstrasse 4
CH-3003 Berne, Switzerland
Tel. [phone]
Swiss Project-Number: 98.0002