Author(s) :

Rishabh Kamani.

Volume/Issue :

Abstract :

The growing limitations of fossil fuel dependence have accelerated interest in hydrogen as a clean energy carrier. However, hydrogen’s low volumetric energy density necessitates compression, introducing thermodynamic inefficiencies and material challenges that impact system performance. Mechanical hydrogen compressors currently dominate due to technological maturity and scalability, but operate under non-ideal conditions characterised by near-adiabatic behaviour, frictional losses, and material degradation. Electrochemical hydrogen compression presents an alternative approach, offering nearisothermal operation, reduced mechanical losses, and integrated purification. Despite these theoretical advantages, its performance is constrained at higher pressures by hydrogen crossover, membrane limitations, and accumulating electrochemical irreversibility. This review evaluates mechanical and electrochemical hydrogen compression within a unified thermodynamic framework, linking performance limitations to their underlying physical mechanisms. The analysis shows that electrochemical compression offers higher efficiency at low-to-moderate pressures, while mechanical compression remains more practical for high-pressure, large-scale applications. Furthermore, the findings highlight key trade-offs and identify critical research directions required to improve electrochemical compressor performance and enable broader adoption within future hydrogen energy systems.