Liebherr develops high-speed air compressors for fuel cell propulsion for rail transport market

For the development of high-speed air compressors, Liebherr-Aerospace Toulouse SAS receives financial support from France within the frame of the “France Relance” plan.

The project represents an overall investment of € 4.9 million and will be co-funded by the State with € 1.25 million. It involves partners based in France, i.e. two SMEs, namely 2E WINDINGS and Danielson Engineering as well as sub-contractor Centum Adeneo.

The compressors incorporate a unique type of technology involving the use of air bearings, which helps to ensure that the air injected in the fuel cell includes no oil that can degrade the membrane performance. These compact compressors will be used in the rail transport sector to provide compressed air to propulsion systems powered by fuel cells.

The final fuel cell product itself will generate no CO2 emissions and provide an alternative for a new generation of trains.

With the development of these compressors, Liebherr-Aerospace will continue its efforts to diversify its activities targeted at the rail sector by offering innovative solutions based on technologies coming from the aerospace sector.