Ariel, Hoerbiger, H2 Mobility collaborate on hydrogen project

Hoerbiger, Ariel collaborated on development of compressor pacakge tailored to the needs of hydrogen refueling. (Image: IBAA)

Ariel and Hoerbiger have developed a compact and powerful compressor tailored to the key needs of the hydrogen industry.

This compressor is now an integral part of Hoerbiger’s new hydrogen compressor package HCP 500, which will be built at Hoerbiger’s new compressor packaging facility in Trnava, Slovakia. The HCP 500 incorporates Hoerbiger’s compressor capacity system eHydroCOM, which is designed to offer excellent controllability of flow rates, characterized by high regulation precision and a broad regulation range. The company said this helps ensure alignment with the requirements of electrolyzers and hydrogen refueling stations, enabling a high mass flow rate of over 250 kg/h (105,802 scf/h). This makes the compressor package from Hoerbiger well-suited for heavy-duty refueling stations and trailer filling facilities, ensuring long operational times in both stationary and ON/OFF operations.

Hoerbiger said the HCP 500 offers a superior Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) performance compared to available technologies on the market. The high level of standardization and installation in a compact and space-saving HCP 500 package, supports end users to achieve their total cost of ownership goals, the company said.

H2 Mobility Deutschland, a pioneer in the development of a public hydrogen refueling station network, is utilizing this compressor package for its new heavy-duty refueling station concept. Combined with their new modular dispensers, they are developing a refueling concept for heavy-duty vehicles including trucks and buses. This system can refuel at pressures ranging from 350 bar up to 500 bar. The KBH model compressor built into the HCP 500, recently delivered by Ariel to Hoerbiger for H2 Mobility’s new heavy-duty refueling station in Düsseldorf, carries the serial number 70,000.

The companies said the collaboration between H2 Mobility, Hoerbiger, and Ariel underscores the importance of technology partnerships in rapidly evolving markets like the hydrogen economy.

“The performance of the Düsseldorf refueling station on Höherweg is currently unmatched in Europe. It represents the new generation of H2 MOBILITY refueling stations. In Düsseldorf, multiple 350 and 700 bar vehicle types (buses, trucks, light commercial vehicles, and cars) will be able to refuel simultaneously and consecutively at the same location. Thanks to our patented refueling technology, high-performance refueling is now possible. Our customers benefit more than ever from modern technology and the advantages of hydrogen propulsion—short refueling times with long range,” said Frank Fronzke, Managing Director and COO of H2 Mobility Germany. Currently, 33 stations in the H2 Mobility network offer refueling options for trucks and buses (350 bar). By the end of the year, the number will increase to over 50. Overall, H2 Mobility currently operates around 80 hydrogen refueling stations in Germany and Austria.