Low-pressure pump for hydrogen pumping system

A low-pressure pump for use in a hydrogen pumping system, comprising:

• a hydrogen pump cylinder configured to be supplied with hydrogen from a fluid reservoir;
• a piston assembly positioned within the hydrogen pump cylinder;
• a hydrogen cylinder rod portion at least partially positioned within the hydrogen pump cylinder;
• and
• a plunger assembly including a sealing member and including a presser component, the plunger assembly operably connected to the hydrogen cylinder rod portion,
• wherein
• the sealing member is configured to seal with a valve body of the piston assembly with the presser component not contacting the piston assembly, and
• the presser component is configured to selectively force the valve body in a direction toward the sealing member.

A method of operating a low-pressure pump for a pumping operation, comprising:

• providing a hydrogen cylinder output at an upper end of a hydrogen cylinder;
• providing a hydrogen cylinder inlet at a lower end of the hydrogen cylinder;
• providing a first hydrogen fluid to the hydrogen cylinder;
• applying tension to a hydrogen piston rod portion within the hydrogen cylinder such that a gas at the upper end of the hydrogen cylinder is forced through the hydrogen cylinder output;
• and
• continuing to apply the tension to the hydrogen piston rod portion such that the first hydrogen fluid is forced through the hydrogen cylinder output after the gas is forced through the hydrogen cylinder output.