Optimized H2 Compression

The compressor designs used in H2 services have been described in Chapter 1, Section 1.5.5, and the controls of high-pressure compressors have been covered in Chapter 2, Section 2.5. Therefore, here the discussion will be limited to the optimization aspects of this operation. 

Post-Oil Energy Technology After the Age of Fossil Fuels 

When charging gas into several tanks or serving other users, the workload on the compressors is minimized by minimizing the pressure drop across the distribution valves. Therefore, the valve position controller (VPC-41) keeps opening all distribution valves by lowering the discharge pressure (PC-40) until the most open valve reaches nearly full opening (90%). 

The individual distribution valves are under pressure control (PC-42 to PC-44). Knowing the volumes of the Fi2 storage tanks and the pressures in each (P18, P19, P20, etc.), the central optimizer terminates charging when a tank is full, or advises the operator concerning the additional amount of H2 a particular vessel can receive. 

With this book I hope I have convinced the reader that it is time to stop writing articles and holding debates on what to do about the energy crisis. The time has arrived to stop talking and to start building so that we can establish the facts concerning the costs and feasibility of renewable energy plants. 

---