Biogas

iKompressor™ natural gas and biogas refuelling systems are based on a new technology developed by Linde that harnesses ionic compressors to compress gas.

The joint venture itself – Flowserve Compression Systems GmbH – will be based in Brunn am Gebirge, near Vienna, Austria.

With their efficient, low-maintenance design, iKompressor™ refuelling systems cut energy costs by up to 20 percent at low inlet pressures and reduce maintenance costs without negatively impacting reliability. 

This means that the owners of compressed natural gas and biogas refuelling stations will be able to pass these savings to their customers in future.

Ionic compressors are the key enablers behind the innovative gas compressor technology deployed in iKompressor™ systems. Instead of solid, metal pistons, this approach uses ionic liquids to compress gases at an almost constant (isothermal) temperature.

These fluids are organic salts that remain liquid within the specified temperature range. Replacing solid components with liquids reduces wear and tear of parts as well as frictional losses within the compressors. This significantly increases energy efficiency and can extend maintenance intervals ten-fold.

The EU has set a target to increase the renewable share of the total energy market to 20 percent by the year 2020. This will push demand for alternative fuels such as natural gas and biogas as well as for modern refuelling systems.