Method and Apparatus for Compressing a Gaseous Medium

Abstract

A method and apparatus for compressing a gaseous medium, specifically hydrogen, is disclosed. Compression is managed by a reciprocating piston compressor, where the piston or pistons of which have a dynamic seal or dynamic seals. A graphite-bearing medium is supplied to the cylinder chamber or chambers before and/or during compression, where the graphite-bearing medium is configured such that it settles on the dynamic seal or seals. The reciprocating piston compressor has a means to supply/introduce the graphite-bearing medium into the cylinder chamber or chambers.

1 - 9 . (canceled)  
   
   
       10 . A method for compressing a gaseous medium, wherein the compression is carried out by a reciprocating piston compressor, a piston of which having a dynamic seal, wherein before and/or during the compression a graphite-bearing medium is supplied to a cylinder chamber of the piston, where the graphite-bearing medium settles on the dynamic seal.  
   
   
       11 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the gaseous medium is hydrogen  
   
   
       12 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein graphite dust, molybdenum and/or other dusts or dust mixtures which possess lubricating properties are used as the graphite-bearing medium.  
   
   
       13 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein a sealing additive is added to the graphite-bearing medium.  
   
   
       14 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein cotton fluffs, mustard fiber and/or other additives which tend to clog and/or clump are used as the sealing additive.  
   
   
       15 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the graphite-bearing medium is supplied into the cylinder chamber by compressed air, the gaseous medium to be compressed, and/or a mechanical device.  
   
   
       16 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the supplying of the graphite-bearing medium into the cylinder chamber is continuous or discontinuous.  
   
   
       17 . A reciprocating piston compressor having a cylinder chamber and a piston with a dynamic seal, wherein means are provided to supply a graphite-bearing medium into the cylinder chamber.  
   
   
       18 . The reciprocating piston compressor according to  claim 17 , wherein the means to supply the graphite-bearing medium is a compressed air supply device, a device to supply a gas to be compressed, and/or a mechanical supply device.  
   
   
       19 . The reciprocating piston compressor according to  claim 17 , wherein the means to supply the graphite-bearing medium regulates a mass flow to be supplied.  
   
   
       20 . A reciprocating piston compressor, comprising: 
 a cylinder chamber;    a piston with a dynamic seal movable within the cylinder chamber; and    a graphite-bearing material disposed on the dynamic seal.    
   
   
       21 . The reciprocating piston compressor according to  claim 20 , wherein the graphite-bearing material is disposed on an inner wall of the cylinder chamber.  
   
   
       22 . The reciprocating piston compressor according to  claim 20 , wherein a sealing additive is blended into the graphite-bearing material.  
   
   
       23 . The reciprocating piston compressor according to  claim 20 , further comprising a compressed air supply device coupled to the cylinder chamber, wherein the graphite-bearing material is supplied to the dynamic seal via the compressed air supply device.  
   
   
       24 . The reciprocating piston compressor according to  claim 20 , wherein the graphite-bearing material is disposed on a leaking area of the dynamic seal.  
   
   
       25 . The reciprocating piston compressor according to  claim 20 , wherein the graphite-bearing material is supplied to the dynamic seal through an opening in the cylinder chamber through which a gas to be compressed is supplied to the cylinder chamber.  
   
   
       26 . The reciprocating piston compressor according to  claim 20 , wherein the graphite-bearing material is supplied to the dynamic seal in a gas to be compressed by the compressor.