Tank apparatus for temperature pressure relief of gas storage tank, fuel cell system, fuel cell operated vehicle, and hydrogen operated vehicle

Abstract

A tank device for temperature pressure relief of a gas storage tank, wherein the tank device comprises at least two tank containers and a delivery line connectable with the tank containers. Each of the at least two tank containers has at one end at least one shut-off valve arranged between the respective tank container and the delivery line, wherein at the other end of the tank container at least one safety valve is arranged. On the tank container a mesh element consisting of electrical lines and other electrical lines is arranged, wherein the electrical lines have a longitudinal axis which differs from the longitudinal axis of the other electrical lines. Here, the electrical lines and the other electrical lines form electrically insulated nodes. Furthermore, the mesh element and the tank container have no electrical contact. The invention also relates to a fuel cell system, a fuel cell operated vehicle and a hydrogen operated vehicle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a storage tank device for temperature and pressure unloading of a gas storage tank, for example for a vehicle with a fuel cell drive or for a vehicle with a hydrogen drive. Background Technology

[0002] DE 10 2017 212 485 A1 describes an apparatus for storing a compressed fluid used as fuel for a vehicle, wherein the apparatus comprises at least two tubular tank modules and at least one high-pressure fuel dispenser with at least one integrated control and safety technology. Furthermore, the at least two tubular tank modules are made of metal and are modularly connected to the at least one high-pressure fuel dispenser with at least one integrated control and safety technology to form a module with a flexible geometry.

[0003] As shown in DE 10 2017 212 485 A1, the safety equipment for such devices is standardized. Here, each tank module must have an automatically shut-off overflow valve and a safety valve. Thus, for example, in the event of an accident in the device used to store compressed fluids or in the event of a wiring rupture within the device, the overflow valve can close, preventing gas from flowing out of the storage unit. Furthermore, for example, in the event of a fire or a temperature rise exceeding a predetermined threshold, the safety valve should ensure, for example, that hydrogen gas can be evacuated from the tank module to prevent an explosion of the tank module or even the entire device used to store compressed fluids.

[0004] These safety precautions require a large number of valves, thus increasing the complexity and cost of the entire gas storage system. Furthermore, depending on the location of the safety valves, it is essential to ensure that they are triggered even when the ignition source is not nearby, in order to prevent potential explosions of the gas storage system. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Advantages of the present invention

[0006] In contrast, the storage tank equipment according to the present invention has the following advantages: it can be emptied in a simple and quick manner in the event of thermal impact on the storage tank equipment in a structurally simple manner, wherein the explosion of the storage tank equipment is prevented by targeted emission of gaseous media, such as hydrogen.

[0007] Therefore, the storage tank equipment for temperature and pressure unloading of the gas storage tank has at least two storage tank containers and a conveying line capable of connecting to the storage tank containers. Each of the at least two storage tank containers has at least one shut-off valve at one end, which is arranged between the respective storage tank container and the conveying line. At least one safety valve is arranged at the other end of the storage tank container. In addition, a grid element composed of electrical wires and other electrical wires is arranged on the storage tank container, wherein the electrical wires have a longitudinal axis different from the longitudinal axis of the other electrical wires. Furthermore, the electrical wires form nodes with the other electrical wires, and these nodes are electrically insulated. Furthermore, the grid element and the storage tank container do not have electrical contact.

[0008] In this way, it can be easily ensured that in emergency situations, such as a sudden fire, there is sufficient time for the safety valve to reliably and continuously open to release stored gases, such as hydrogen. This is because, based on heat input... The location at which the safety valve operates must be carefully considered to ensure it opens reliably in order to prevent the tank from bursting.

[0009] In an advantageous extension, the electrical lines are arranged perpendicular to the other electrical lines. Advantageously, the electrical lines have different lengths than the other lines. Therefore, at the same temperature, the lines have different resistances compared to the other lines. Advantageously, the safety valve is an electrically operable discharge valve. If a heat source is present below the storage tank, the respective electrical lines heat up to varying degrees. Consequently, different resistances also appear in these lines, which can be compared, for example, with a family of characteristic curves stored in the control device, and thus, for example, the electrically operable discharge valve can be operated to discharge gases, such as hydrogen.

[0010] In one advantageous extension, the storage tank can be connected to a discharge line via a safety valve. Therefore, in emergency situations, gaseous media, such as hydrogen, can be easily discharged from the storage tank and released, for example, into the surrounding environment.

[0011] In another configuration of the invention, at least two storage tanks are advantageously made of steel. Cost savings are thus achieved through the selection of materials.

[0012] In an advantageous extension, at least two storage tanks are connected to the inlet area of ​​the consumption system (Verbrauchersystems), preferably the anode area of ​​the fuel cell system, via shut-off valves and delivery lines.

[0013] The described storage tank equipment is preferably suitable for use in fuel cell systems to store hydrogen for the operation of the fuel cell.

[0014] In another configuration of the invention, the grid elements are advantageously configured to be connected to individually arranged batteries. This ensures that, even in the case of a parked vehicle, current is available for determining the individual resistances, and thus, in this case, reliable control is also possible over potential sources of ignition near the storage tank equipment.

[0015] In advantageous applications, storage tank equipment can be used in vehicles powered by fuel cells.

[0016] In advantageous applications, storage tank equipment can be used in vehicles powered by hydrogen.

[0017] In addition to detecting localized heat sources, it provides protection against mechanical damage, or enables the detection of mechanical damage to the storage tank container. If a vehicle drives over an obstacle that could damage the storage tank container from below, the electrical wiring will be the first to be damaged. If a line breaks due to mechanical damage, this can be uniquely and definitively identified by the calculated resistance, and for safety reasons, gases such as hydrogen can be released and / or the driver can be notified. Attached Figure Description

[0018] The accompanying drawings illustrate an embodiment of a tank apparatus for temperature and pressure unloading of a gas storage tank according to the present invention. The drawings show:

[0019] exist Figure 1 A top view shows an embodiment of the storage tank equipment according to the present invention;

[0020] exist Figure 2 The image shows a grid element. Figure 1 Top view of the embodiment;

[0021] exist Figure 3 The image shows a device with grid elements and an ignition source. Figure 1 A top view of an embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0022] Figure 1 An embodiment of the storage tank device 40 according to the invention is shown in top view. The storage tank device 40 has a plurality of storage tank containers 44 with storage tank shells, which are generally constructed in a cylindrical shape and made of steel. The respective ends 26, 27 of the respective storage tank containers 44 have tapered converging portions and thus have typical bottleneck structures.

[0023] Regarding end 26, the corresponding storage tank 44 is connected to the conveying line 45 via a shut-off valve 43, as in Figure 1 As shown in the diagram. The delivery line 45 is connected, for example, to the inlet area of ​​a consumption system, such as the anode area of ​​a fuel cell system, via another valve 41. In this way, the storage tank device 40 can, for example, supply hydrogen to the fuel cells arranged in the fuel cell system.

[0024] At the other end 27, the corresponding storage tank 44 is connected to the discharge line 70 via the tank output line 71. In the tank output line 71, a safety valve 77 is arranged for each storage tank 44. The safety valve 77 is configured here as an electrically operable discharge valve.

[0025] In an alternative embodiment, the storage tank container 44 is completely surrounded by a shell element and is sealed with respect to ambient pressure.

[0026] Figure 2 A top view showing a grid element 30 Figure 1 In the embodiment described, the grid element is composed of lines A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L and other lines 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20. Lines A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L have a vertical axis 42 that is different from the vertical axis 46 of the other lines 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20. Furthermore, electrical nodes 32, formed by connecting lines A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, and L with other lines 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20, are electrically insulated. Additionally, the grid element 30 and the storage tank container 44 do not have electrical contact.

[0027] Here, power lines A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, and L are arranged perpendicular to other power lines 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20. Furthermore, power lines A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, and L have different lengths than other power lines 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20.

[0028] In consumption systems, such as fuel cell systems, additionally arranged batteries are present in other embodiments, which can be connected to the grid element 30.

[0029] The storage tank equipment 40 operates as follows: Under normal operating conditions, the storage tank equipment 40 supplies gas from the storage container 44 to the consumption system. Here, the shut-off valve 43 is designed to ensure safe delivery to the consumption system.

[0030] If, for example, heat is introduced into the storage tank equipment 40 or storage container 44 due to a fire, the safety valve 77 should be activated as quickly as possible after the heat input, thereby diverting gas from the storage container 44 through the tank output line 71 to the discharge line 70, in order to prevent, for example, an explosion of the storage container 44. At this point, the power supply to the shut-off valve 43 is also typically interrupted, so that gas can no longer escape from the storage container 44.

[0031] Depending on where the heat input occurs in the storage tank 40, this may result in a certain delay until the safety valve 77 opens due to the heat input and corresponding heat conduction. However, the pressure in the corresponding storage tank 44 has already increased with the effect of the heat input on the storage tank 44. Therefore, the safety valve 77 is here configured as an electrically operable discharge valve.

[0032] Furthermore, the resistances of circuits A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L and other circuits 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 are measured at constant, predetermined time intervals to determine the resistances of circuits A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L and other circuits 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20.

[0033] At the same temperature, circuits A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, and L have the same resistance, and other circuits 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20 also have the same resistance.

[0034] With a heat input of 33, each of the electrical circuits A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, and each of the other electrical circuits 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, heats up to varying degrees. Here, as in... Figure 3As exemplarily shown, different resistances are determined in circuits B and C compared to circuits A, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, and different resistances are determined in other circuits 15, 16, 17, 18 compared to other circuits 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20.

[0035] Based on the degree of resistance change, such as gradient, spatial extension, or magnitude, a family of characteristic curves stored in the control device can distinguish whether an emergency situation is involved. In an emergency situation, i.e., for example, in the event of a fire under a vehicle equipped with a tank device according to the invention, the relevant tank container 44 can be emptied in a targeted manner via an electrically operated discharge valve, i.e., a corresponding safety valve 77, to protect each tank container 44 from damage, and a signal can be transmitted, for example, to the driver or vehicle owner.

[0036] Therefore, when safety valve 77 is triggered, the gaseous medium, namely hydrogen, can flow out from storage tank container 44 in the direction of discharge line 70, thereby reliably emptying these storage tank containers in the event of a fire.

[0037] The storage tank device 40 according to the invention requires a small current to determine the various resistances even when the vehicle is parked. This current requirement can be supplied by a battery present in the consumption system or by a separate battery. The determination of the various resistances does not need to be performed permanently. It is sufficient to determine the resistances at regular intervals. These intervals can be coupled to the duration of vehicle parking. Therefore, as the parking duration increases, the likelihood of a fire under the vehicle decreases.

[0038] On the other hand, it is more likely that the vehicle drove over an existing heat source, such as fire, while parked, and the vehicle was parked on such a heat source. Therefore, the resistance should be measured immediately after the vehicle is parked at relatively short intervals.

[0039] In addition to detecting localized heat sources, the storage tank device 40 according to the invention also provides protection against mechanical damage, or enables the detection of mechanical damage to the storage tank container 44. If a vehicle drives over an obstacle that could damage the storage tank device 40 from below, the grid element 30, composed of electrical lines A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L and other electrical lines 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, will be damaged first. If any of the electrical circuits A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L or other electrical circuits 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 breaks due to mechanical damage, this can be uniquely and definitively identified by the determined resistance, and the gas can be released and / or the driver notified for safety reasons.

[0040] However, in addition to vehicles that can be used for fuel cell operation, the storage tank equipment 40 for storing gaseous media can also be used, for example, for hydrogen storage in vehicles with a hydrogen burner as the drive.

Claims

1. A storage tank device (40) for temperature and pressure unloading of a gas storage tank, wherein, The storage tank equipment (40) includes at least two storage tank containers (44) and a conveying line (45) connectable to the storage tank containers (44). Each of the at least two storage tank containers (44) has at least one shut-off valve (43) at one end (26), the shut-off valve (43) being arranged between the respective storage tank container (44) and the conveying line (45). At least one safety valve (77) is arranged at the other end (27) of the storage tank container (44). The feature is that a grid element (30) is arranged on the storage tank (44), the grid element being composed of electrical lines (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L) and other electrical lines (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20), wherein the electrical lines (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L) have a longitudinal axis (42), the longitudinal axis (42) being... The vertical axis (46) of the other electrical lines (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20) is different, wherein the electrical lines (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L) construct nodes (32) with the other electrical lines (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20). The node (32) is electrically insulated, wherein the grid element (30) and the tank container (44) do not have electrical contact, wherein the tank equipment (40) is configured to vent the tank container (44) based on the resistance change in the corresponding electrical line and / or the other electrical line due to the heat input in the event of heat input, thereby preventing the tank container (44) from bursting due to the pressure rise in the tank container (44) caused by the heat input.

2. The storage tank equipment (40) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The electrical lines (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L) are arranged perpendicular to the other electrical lines (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20).

3. The storage tank equipment (40) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The electrical lines (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L) have a line length that is different from the line length of the other electrical lines (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20).

4. The storage tank equipment (40) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The safety valve (77) is an electrically operable discharge valve; and / or The safety valve (77) is configured to be manipulated, in the event of heat input to the storage tank container (44), to discharge gas stored in the storage tank container (44) based on a comparison of resistance changes in the electrical circuits and / or other electrical circuits with a family of characteristic curves stored therein.

5. The storage tank equipment (40) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The storage tank (44) can be connected to the discharge line (70) via the safety valve (77).

6. The storage tank equipment (40) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The at least two storage tank containers (44) are made of steel.

7. The storage tank equipment (40) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The at least two storage tank containers (44) can be connected to the inlet area of ​​the consumption system via the shut-off valve (43) and the conveying line (45).

8. The storage tank equipment (40) according to claim 7, characterized in that, The inlet region is the anode region of the fuel cell system.

9. A fuel cell system having a storage tank device (40) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The fuel cell system according to claim 9, characterized in that, The grid element (30) can be connected to an additionally arranged battery.

11. A fuel cell-operated vehicle having a storage tank device (40) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

12. A hydrogen-powered vehicle having a storage tank device (40) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

Images