New Hydrogen Gas Compressor Extends Distance Traveled per Fill-up by Fuel Cell Vehicles

Kaji Technology Corporation, a major compressor manufacturer in Japan, announced on May 20, 2004 that it had developed a hydrogen gas compressor that can attain a maximum of 1,100 atmospheres (110 MPa).

The new compressor was developed by Kaji Technology for hydrogen gas stations built to service fuel-cell vehicles (FCVs), which are attracting attention as new clean-energy vehicles. By reducing the volume of the gas by compression, it allows more gas to be loaded into a FCV, enabling it to travel longer distances per fill-up than ever before.

Up until now, hydrogen tanks in FCVs manufactured by major companies such as Toyota could take on only 35 MPa of gas. Improvements have been long anticipated, as tanks that can hold more than 70 MPa gas are considered necessary for widespread diffusion of FCVs.

The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry foresees the existence of 50,000 FCVs by FY 2010, so in late June, 2004, Kaji Technology installed their new compressor for use in FCV driving tests at a safety assessment facility belonging to the Japan Automobile Research Institute. Expectations are high that it will be able to contribute to the diffusion of hydrogen gas stations and FCVs in Japan.



Posted: 2004/10/29 04:42:14 PM
Japanese version