Hydrogen Liquefier– Small to mid-scale

Highly reliable cryogenic solutions designed to optimize regional supply chains and supply clean mobility markets from 1 to 60 tonnes per day.

Air Liquide offers flexible, small-to-mid-scale liquefiers (1 to 60 tpd) designed to safely streamline regional hydrogen distribution and lower refueling infrastructure energy requirements.

Tailored regional liquefaction solutions

Liquid hydrogen is 850 times denser than gaseous hydrogen at atmospheric pressure, making it the premier choice for scaling local logistics. Our small to mid-scale portfolio covers capacities from 1 to 60 tonnes per day (tpd) and features two distinct process configurations optimized for your operational footprint:

Hydrogen Refrigerant Liquefaction cycle (up to 60 tpd): A robust, multi-referenced and highly optimized configuration leveraging a closed nitrogen loop for the initial precooling step combined with an hydrogen refrigerant liquefaction cycle.
Helium Refrigerant Liquefaction cycle (up to 30 tpd): This setup integrates our proprietary Turbo-Brayton technology. While also leveraging a nitrogen refrigerant based precooling, it utilizes a closed helium refrigeration cycle offering reduced footprint.

Both utilize in-house designed brazed aluminum heat exchangers and specialized catalytic ortho-to-para hydrogen conversion to eliminate downstream boil-off during storage and transport.

For capacities below 5 tonnes per day, our standard HYLIAL liquefier is also an option.

Powering heavy-duty road transport

Liquid hydrogen is emerging as the key lever for the decarbonization of heavy-duty mobility. Its high energy density facilitates onboard storage and significantly increases the operational range of trucks and buses. Beyond capacity, liquid hydrogen guarantees an optimal level of purity, which is essential for maximizing the lifespan of sensitive fuel cells.

Our medium-scale facilities, like the 30-tonne-per-day liquefier in North Las Vegas, are already demonstrating the commercial and technical viability of regional liquid hydrogen distribution networks. These decentralized installations enable more compact distribution infrastructure. Because liquid hydrogen can be pumped efficiently, it significantly lowers the capital footprint and eliminates the massive energy penalties typically required for high-pressure gaseous hydrogen compression at regional refueling stations.

By utilizing our Advanced Delivery System, operators can now manage high-capacity cryogenic transfer with minimal boil-off, ensuring that renewable hydrogen reaches refueling dispensers with the highest possible efficiency.

A world record in South Korea

Air Liquide was chosen to provide the high-performance equipment for the world’s largest operating hydrogen liquefaction plant. With a capacity of 90 tonnes per day, this project represents a major milestone in the transition to low-carbon societies and demonstrates our ability to deliver industrial solutions at an unprecedented scale.
North Las Vegas: Leading clean mobility

Air Liquide invested $250 million in its largest liquid hydrogen production and logistics infrastructure in North Las Vegas, Nevada. Operational since May 2022, this 30-tonne-per-day facility is a global benchmark. It utilizes renewable energy to supply the West Coast mobility market, notably California, supporting the transition to a cleaner future.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How does liquid hydrogen lower refueling station costs?

Liquid format distribution allows hydrogen to be pumped as a liquid, avoiding the large physical footprints and massive electricity penalties required by high-pressure gaseous compressors at regional stations.

Can boil-off gas from trailers be recovered?

Yes. Air Liquide liquefiers are designed with standard integration options to route boil-off gas from local storage tanks and delivery trailers directly back into the liquefaction loop.

What is the advantage of Turbo-Brayton technology in hydrogen liquefaction?

Derived from space-industry heritage, Turbo-Brayton units utilize an oil-free helium cycle with magnetic bearings, making them exceptionally safe and allowing up to 5 years of maintenance-free operation.