Howden, a leading global provider of mission critical air and gas handling products, technologies and services, has signed a contract to provide three hydrogen diaphragm compressors for the Raven SR renewable hydrogen production facility in Richmond, California. Work at this site is scheduled to break ground this autumn with the site set to be operational in 2023.

Working with Raven SR’s contractor, Stellar J, the installation will support hydrogen compression into mobile high-pressure tube trailers that will provide hydrogen locally to Raven SR customers. The manufacturing and supply work for the contract is being carried out by Howden facilities in Rheden, Netherlands and Springfield, Missouri, with aftermarket support provided by Howden in Los Angeles.

Raven SR’s technology can produce green hydrogen and high-quality Fischer-Tropsch synthetic fuels, such as sustainable aviation fuel, from a wide range of feedstock, including municipal solid waste, methane and biomass. Raven SR’s non-combustion Steam/CO₂ Reforming process is emissions-free and requires minimal waste sorting before processing.

Ross Shuster, Howden Group CEO, said: “Howden is proud of our track record in the hydrogen sector as we have been at the forefront of hydrogen compression for over 100 years. This contract, and our relationship with Raven SR, represents a great example of how we are working with customers to support the energy transition and advance a more sustainable world.”

Hydrogen compression expertise
He continued: “Our solution on this project focuses on safe and efficient hydrogen compression followed by on-going support to ensure plant efficiency and reliability. With Howden’s technological advances in remote monitoring and assistance combined with our hydrogen compression expertise and global presence, we are well placed to provide the maintenance and support for the supplied equipment and to support the reliability of our equipment.”

The contract marks a key milestone for Raven SR to begin renewable hydrogen production in California, a bellwether market for renewable energy.

Raven SR CEO Matt Murdock said: “Raven SR is pleased to be working with Howden to supply the compressors for our non-combustion Steam/CO₂ Reforming units. Howden has a solid reputation in the industry, and their knowledge and experience have been crucial in designing the unique compressors needed under our hydrogen off-take agreements. As we expand internationally, Howden’s offices and manufacturing facilities worldwide will be able to support Raven SR as we accelerate the energy transition globally.”

Howden is taking a leadership role in hydrogen compression and the energy transition through development and supply of its hydrogen compressors, technology and services, and has announced a number of important projects in the last couple of years.

Significant contracts in the last year have included: supplying hydrogen compressors for the largest hydrogen refuelling station in the world in China and for the refuelling stations at the Beijing Winter Olympics; creating solutions for the first fossil-free steel plant in the world in Sweden; and supporting the world’s first climate neutral fuel (eFuel) plant located in Chile.

Howden focuses on helping customers increase the efficiency and effectiveness of their air and gas handling processes enabling them to make sustainable improvements in their environmental impact. The company designs, manufactures and supplies products, solutions and services to customers around the world across highly diversified end-markets and geographies.

Howden recently announced its target to be carbon ‘net zero’ by 2035. The company is also focused on, and in investing in, the impact that its technologies, service and solutions have on its customers’ sustainability and decarbonisation efforts.