Method and Device for Compressing a Gaseous Medium

Abstract

A method and device for compressing a gaseous medium, specifically hydrogen, is disclosed. Compression of the gaseous medium takes place by way of a fluid, where a fluid is used in which the gaseous medium is not soluble and/or can be separated residue-free from the gaseous medium. An ionic fluid, a high-boiling hydraulic oil, or a fluid which has a very low vapor pressure is used as the fluid.

1 - 16 . (canceled)  
   
   
       17 . A method for compressing a gaseous medium, wherein a compression of the gaseous medium is carried out by a fluid, wherein the gaseous medium is not soluble in the fluid and/or the fluid is separable residue-free from the gaseous medium.  
   
   
       18 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein the gaseous medium is hydrogen.  
   
   
       19 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein an ionic fluid, a high-boiling hydraulic oil, a fluid which has very low vapor pressure, or a fluid which has a gas solubility of less than 10 −4  mol/l bar, is used as the fluid.  
   
   
       20 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein compression heat is at least partially removed by means of the fluid.  
   
   
       21 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein a portion of the fluid, entrained by the gaseous medium when compressed, is separated from the compressed gaseous medium.  
   
   
       22 . The method according to  claim 21 , wherein the portion of the fluid separated from the compressed gaseous medium is returned again for the compression, wherein the separated fluid is storable before it is returned.  
   
   
       23 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein the compression allows compression of the gaseous medium by a factor of 1000.  
   
   
       24 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein a replenishment of fluid required for compression takes place during a suction stroke.  
   
   
       25 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein the fluid is exposed to an electrical field.  
   
   
       26 . A device for compressing a gaseous medium, comprising: 
 one or more cylinders;    supply and discharge lines which supply the gaseous medium to be compressed to, and discharge a compressed gaseous medium from, the cylinder or cylinders, respectively;    at least one fluid line per cylinder which supplies and discharges a fluid compressing the gaseous medium in the cylinder or cylinders; and    means for changing a volume of the fluid in the cylinder or cylinders;    wherein the gaseous medium is not soluble in the fluid and/or the fluid is separable residue-free from the gaseous medium.    
   
   
       27 . The device according to  claim 26 , wherein the gaseous medium is hydrogen.  
   
   
       28 . The device according to  claim 26 , wherein the means for changing the volume of the fluid in the cylinder or cylinders is a fluid pump, a hydraulic pump, an axial piston pump, a slide pump, or a gear pump.  
   
   
       29 . The device according to  claim 26 , wherein a heat exchanger which removes compression heat is assigned to the fluid line provided per cylinder.  
   
   
       30 . The device according to  claim 26 , wherein at least one separation device is located in the discharge line for the compressed gaseous medium, wherein the separation device separates a portion of the fluid, entrained with the compressed gaseous medium, from the compressed gaseous medium.  
   
   
       31 . The device according to  claim 30 , wherein the separation device is connected in a circulation loop to at least one of the cylinders.  
   
   
       32 . The device according to  claim 30 , wherein a fluid storage device is allocated to the separation device.  
   
   
       33 . The device according to  claim 26 , wherein a heat exchanger is located within the cylinder or cylinders.  
   
   
       34 . The device according to  claim 26 , wherein means to generate an electrical field in the cylinder or cylinders is provided.  
   
   
       35 . A method for compressing a gaseous medium, comprising the steps of: 
 supplying the gaseous medium to a cylinder;    supplying a fluid to the cylinder; and    compressing the gaseous medium in the cylinder by the fluid in the cylinder.    
   
   
       36 . A device for compressing a gaseous medium, comprising: 
 a cylinder;    a gaseous medium supply line coupled to the cylinder, wherein the gaseous medium supply line supplies the gaseous medium to the cylinder;    a fluid supply line coupled to the cylinder, wherein the fluid supply line supplies a fluid to the cylinder;    wherein the gaseous medium supplied to the cylinder is compressed by the fluid supplied to the cylinder; and    a compressed gaseous medium discharge line coupled to the cylinder, wherein the compressed gaseous medium discharge line discharges the compressed gaseous medium from the cylinder.