High-pressure gas storage system

Abstract

This invention relates to a high-pressure gas storage system for storing high-pressure gas filled from a gas filling device, comprising: a plurality of tanks having the same volume; and a common gas filling path connecting the plurality of tanks in parallel for supplying the high-pressure gas to the plurality of tanks, wherein at least a number of the tanks closest to the inlet in the common gas filling path for the high-pressure gas to flow into are provided with temperature sensors for measuring the temperature inside the tanks.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to high-pressure gas storage systems. Background Technology

[0002] There are cases where fuel cell vehicles are equipped with multiple tanks for storing high-pressure gases such as hydrogen. High-pressure gas is filled into these tanks from a gas station. In this case, a known high-pressure gas filling method is as follows: the temperature of the gas being filled into each tank is measured by sensors pre-installed in each tank; furthermore, the pressure of the supplied gas is measured at the gas station; and based on these measurements, it is determined whether the filling of each tank with high-pressure gas is complete (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-53458).

[0003] However, installing sensors on all tanks would increase the manufacturing cost of the high-pressure gas storage system. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This disclosure can be implemented in the following ways.

[0005] (1) According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a high-pressure gas storage system is provided. This high-pressure gas storage system is for storing high-pressure gas filled from a gas filling device, comprising: a plurality of tanks with identical volumes; and a common gas filling path connecting the plurality of tanks in parallel and supplying the high-pressure gas to the plurality of tanks; wherein at least a number of the tanks closest to the inlet in the common gas filling path for the high-pressure gas to flow into are provided with temperature sensors for measuring the temperature inside the tanks.

[0006] According to this method, the high-pressure gas storage system has fewer temperature sensors than the total number of tanks, thus reducing the increase in manufacturing costs compared to a structure where temperature sensors are installed in all tanks. Furthermore, since a temperature sensor is installed at least in the tank closest to the inlet and where the high-pressure gas density is highest, monitoring the temperature measured by this sensor can prevent the high-pressure gas filling rate from exceeding a predetermined filling rate.

[0007] (2) In the above embodiments, the plurality of tanks can be arranged side by side with their respective central axes parallel to each other.

[0008] According to this high-pressure gas storage system, by arranging multiple tanks side by side with their respective central axes parallel to each other, the space required for tank configuration can be reduced, and the reduction in the configuration freedom of the high-pressure gas storage system can be suppressed.

[0009] (3) In the above embodiment, the temperature sensor may be installed only in the tank closest to the inlet among the plurality of tanks.

[0010] According to this method, since only the tank closest to the inlet has a temperature sensor, the manufacturing cost of the high-pressure gas storage system can be further suppressed.

[0011] (4) In the above embodiment, the temperature sensor can be installed in the tank that is furthest from the inlet among the plurality of tanks.

[0012] According to this high-pressure gas storage system, since a temperature sensor is installed in the tank farthest from the inlet and where the high-pressure gas temperature is highest, the temperature of the high-pressure gas can be suppressed from becoming excessively high by monitoring the temperature measured by the temperature sensor.

[0013] (5) In the above embodiment, the gas filling device is connected to the inlet, and the high-pressure gas storage system may also include a communication device for notifying the gas filling device of information indicating the temperature measured by the temperature sensor.

[0014] According to this high-pressure gas storage system, if the temperature detected by the temperature sensor becomes excessively high, the temperature information can be notified to the gas filling device. Since the gas filling device can use the received temperature information to control the supply of high-pressure gas and stop the supply, it can prevent any reduction in the safety of the high-pressure gas storage system. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Hereinafter, the features, advantages, technical and industrial importance of exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the same reference numerals denote the same constituent elements, wherein:

[0016] Figure 1 This is an explanatory diagram showing the structure of the high-pressure gas storage system according to the first embodiment.

[0017] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view showing the location of the temperature sensor inside the tank.

[0018] Figure 3 This is an explanatory diagram showing the structure of the high-pressure gas storage system according to the second embodiment.

[0019] Figure 4 This is an explanatory diagram showing the structure of a high-pressure gas storage system in other embodiments. Detailed Implementation

[0020] A. Implementation Method 1:

[0021] Figure 1 This is an explanatory diagram showing a simplified structure of the high-pressure gas storage system 10 according to the first embodiment. The high-pressure gas storage system 10 of this embodiment is a system for storing hydrogen supplied from a hydrogen station 20. The high-pressure gas storage system 10 is, for example, installed in a fuel cell vehicle powered by a fuel cell, supplying the stored hydrogen as fuel gas for the fuel cell. The hydrogen station 20 corresponds to the "gas filling device" in this disclosure.

[0022] The hydrogen station 20 includes a storage tank 210, a compressor 220, an output valve 230, a precooler 240, a filling nozzle 250, a receiver 260, and a station controller 270.

[0023] Storage tank 210 stores hydrogen gas for supplying to the high-pressure gas storage system 10. Compressor 220 compresses the hydrogen gas stored in storage tank 210, adjusting the rate of hydrogen pressurization. Output valve 230 adjusts the amount of hydrogen output and stops output by changing the valve's opening and closing degree, thereby controlling the output of hydrogen gas from compressor 220. To suppress excessive temperature rise of hydrogen gas when supplying it to the high-pressure gas storage system 10, precooler 240 cools the hydrogen gas to below freezing point. The hydrogen gas cooled by precooler 240 is supplied to the high-pressure gas storage system 10 through filling nozzle 250. Furthermore, a pressure sensor P is installed on the piping connecting precooler 240 and filling nozzle 250 to measure the pressure of the output hydrogen gas. The pressure information obtained by pressure sensor P is sent to station controller 270.

[0024] The station controller 270 controls the compressor 220 and the output valve 230 to achieve a pressurization rate and output that does not exceed the temperature (85°C) and fill rate (100%) specified by the SAE standard. In addition to the pressure information mentioned above, the station controller 270 also obtains temperature information (described later) from the high-pressure gas storage system 10 via the receiver 260. The station controller 270 uses this acquired information to calculate the hydrogen fill rate in the high-pressure gas storage system 10. When the fill rate reaches a preset value, the station controller 270 controls the output valve 230 to stop the output of hydrogen.

[0025] The high-pressure gas storage system 10 includes a receptacle 110, a manifold 120, tanks 131-140, a communication filling ECU 150, and a transmitter 160.

[0026] The filling port 110 is connected to the filling nozzle 250, allowing hydrogen supplied from the filling nozzle 250 to flow into the high-pressure gas storage system 10. The filling port 110 is also connected to the inlet 121 of the manifold 120, allowing hydrogen to flow from the filling port 110 into the manifold 120.

[0027] Manifold 120 has a common gas filling path 122 inside. One end of the common gas filling path 122 is connected to inlet 121, and hydrogen flowing in from inlet 121 flows within the common gas filling path 122. The other end of the common gas filling path 122 branches into multiple branches, and at each branch end, the common gas filling path 122 is connected to tanks 131-140. Thus, tanks 131-140 are connected to hydrogen station 20 via filling port 110 and manifold 120 and are supplied with hydrogen.

[0028] Tanks 131 to 140 are configured such that the distance between the connection points J1 to J10 of each tank 131 to 140 and the inlet 121 and the inlet 121 increases sequentially from tank 131. In addition, each tank 131 to 140 is arranged side by side with its central axis parallel to each other.

[0029] Tanks 131 to 140 were manufactured in accordance with the standards specified in SAE J2601. In this embodiment, tanks 131 to 140 each have the same external shape with a diameter of 100 mm and a length of 1800 mm, and their volumes are identical. Since the external shape of the high-pressure gas storage system 10, obtained by arranging tanks 131 to 140 of this shape side by side, is similar in size to that of a battery typically installed in an electric vehicle, the reduction in the configuration freedom of the high-pressure gas storage system 10 can be suppressed. As a result, the body shape that was previously designed specifically for fuel cell vehicles can be designed to be shared with electric vehicles.

[0030] In this embodiment, only tank 131, which is closest to inlet 121 among tanks 131 to 140, is equipped with temperature sensor T1. Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view showing the location of the temperature sensor T1 inside the tank 131. In this embodiment, as... Figure 2 As shown, the temperature sensor T1 is located inside the tank 131 at the end opposite to the connecting part J1.

[0031] Temperature sensor T1 measures the temperature inside tank 131. Temperature sensor T1 sends the measured temperature information inside tank 131 to communication filling ECU 150. Communication filling ECU 150 then transmits the received temperature information to hydrogen station 20 via transmitter 160. Furthermore, if temperature sensor T1 detects an excessive temperature rise, communication filling ECU 150 can send a stop signal to hydrogen station 20 requesting the cessation of hydrogen supply. In this embodiment, transmitter 160 and receiver 260 are configured as an infrared communication device. However, transmitter 160 and receiver 260 are not limited to this configuration; for example, they can be configured as communication devices interconnected via signal lines.

[0032] In this embodiment, since tank 131 is closest to inlet 121, the flow rate of hydrogen flowing into tank 131 is faster than that of hydrogen flowing into other tanks 132-140. Because a faster flow rate results in greater pressure loss, the filling pressure of hydrogen in tank 131 is lower than the filling pressure of hydrogen supplied to other tanks 132-140. The hydrogen temperature rises due to thermal compression during supply to the tank. Since a lower filling pressure results in a smaller temperature rise due to thermal compression, the temperature of hydrogen supplied to tank 131 is lower than that of hydrogen supplied to other tanks 132-140. Therefore, the density of hydrogen supplied to tank 131 is higher than that of hydrogen supplied to other tanks 132-140. Thus, if the hydrogen filling rate in tank 131 does not exceed a predetermined filling rate, it can be said that the predetermined filling rate is also not exceeded in other tanks 132-140. Therefore, by monitoring the temperature by installing a temperature sensor T1 at least in tank 131, it is possible to suppress the hydrogen filling rate from exceeding a predetermined filling rate in the overall high-pressure gas storage system 10.

[0033] According to the high-pressure gas storage system 10 described above, since only tank 131 is equipped with temperature sensor T1, the increase in manufacturing cost of the high-pressure gas storage system 10 can be suppressed compared to a structure in which temperature sensors are installed in all tanks 131 to 140. Furthermore, since temperature sensor T1 is installed in tank 131, which is closest to inlet 121 and has the highest hydrogen density, monitoring the temperature measured by temperature sensor T1 can prevent the hydrogen filling rate from exceeding a predetermined filling rate.

[0034] In addition, by arranging tanks 131 to 140 side by side with their respective central axes parallel to each other, the space required for the arrangement of tanks 131 to 140 can be reduced, and the reduction in the degree of freedom of the arrangement of the high-pressure gas storage system 10 can be suppressed.

[0035] Furthermore, since the high-pressure gas storage system 10 is equipped with a transmitter 160, it can notify the hydrogen station 20 of the temperature information if the temperature measured by the temperature sensor T1 becomes excessively high. Because the hydrogen station 20 can use the received temperature information to control or stop the supply of hydrogen, it can prevent any reduction in the safety of the high-pressure gas storage system 10.

[0036] B. Second Implementation Method

[0037] Figure 3 This is an explanatory diagram showing a simplified structure of the high-pressure gas storage system 10A according to the second embodiment. (See diagram below.) Figure 3As shown, the high-pressure gas storage system 10A of the second embodiment differs from the high-pressure gas storage system 10 of the first embodiment in that, in addition to the temperature sensor T1 installed in tank 131, a temperature sensor T2 is also installed in tank 140. Since the other structures of the high-pressure gas storage system 10A of the second embodiment are the same as those of the high-pressure gas storage system 10 of the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are used to label the same structures, and detailed descriptions are omitted.

[0038] and Figure 2 The temperature sensor T1 in tank 131 is positioned similarly, while temperature sensor T2 is located inside tank 140 at the end opposite the connector J10. Temperature sensor T2 measures the temperature inside tank 140. The temperature information measured by temperature sensor T2, like that measured by temperature sensor T1, is transmitted to hydrogen station 20 via communication filling ECU 150 and transmitter 160.

[0039] like Figure 3 As shown, since tank 140 is furthest from inlet 121, the flow rate of hydrogen into tank 140 is slower than that into other tanks 131-139. Therefore, the pressure loss is smaller, and the filling pressure of hydrogen into tank 140 is greater than that supplied to other tanks 131-139. Since a higher filling pressure results in a greater temperature rise due to insulated compression, the temperature of hydrogen supplied to tank 140 is higher than that supplied to other tanks 131-139. Therefore, if the temperature inside tank 140 does not exceed the specified temperature, it can be said that the temperature inside other tanks 131-139 also does not exceed the specified temperature. Therefore, by installing a temperature sensor T2 in tank 140 to monitor the temperature, excessive increases in hydrogen temperature can be suppressed in the overall high-pressure gas storage system 10A.

[0040] The high-pressure gas storage system 10A according to the second embodiment described above achieves the same effect as the high-pressure gas storage system 10 of the first embodiment. Furthermore, since a temperature sensor T2 is provided in the tank 140, which is furthest from the inlet 121 and has the highest hydrogen temperature, excessive increases in hydrogen temperature can be suppressed by monitoring the temperature measured by the temperature sensor T2.

[0041] C. Other implementation methods

[0042] (C1) In the first embodiment described above, the high-pressure gas storage system 10 has only one temperature sensor, but this disclosure is not limited to this. In the high-pressure gas storage system 10, temperature sensors can be installed in any number of tanks, including at least tank 131, which is less than the total number of tanks 131 to 140. In this manner, compared to installing temperature sensors in all tanks 131 to 140, it is possible to suppress the increase in manufacturing cost of the high-pressure gas storage system 10.

[0043] (C2) In the above embodiment, tanks 131 to 140 are arranged side by side such that the distance from the inlet 121 to the connection J1 to J10 with the common gas filling path 122 increases sequentially from tank 131, but this disclosure is not limited thereto. Figure 4 This is an explanatory diagram showing a simplified structure of the high-pressure gas storage system 10B according to another embodiment. (See diagram below.) Figure 4 As shown, in the high-pressure gas storage system 10B, tanks 131-140 can be arranged symmetrically with respect to the inlet 121B. In this configuration, by also installing a temperature sensor T1 in at least one of the tanks 135 and 136, which are closest to the inlet 121B, the same effect as the high-pressure gas storage system 10 of the first embodiment is achieved. Figure 4 In the example shown, tank 136 is equipped with temperature sensor T1. Furthermore, by installing temperature sensor T2 in at least one of the tanks 131 and 140, which are furthest from the inlet 121B, the same effect as the high-pressure gas storage system 10A of the second embodiment is achieved. Figure 4 In the example shown, tank 131 is equipped with temperature sensor T2.

[0044] This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be implemented in various structures without departing from its spirit. For example, in order to solve part or all of the above-described problems or to achieve part or all of the above-described effects, the technical features in the embodiments corresponding to the technical features in the various methods described in the Summary of the Invention section can be appropriately replaced or combined. In addition, such technical features can be appropriately deleted in this specification unless they are described as essential.

Claims

1. A high-pressure gas storage system for storing high-pressure gas filled from a gas filling device, wherein, have: Multiple tanks, all with the same volume; and A common gas filling path connects the multiple tanks in parallel, allowing the high-pressure gas supplied to these tanks to flow through. At least a number of the plurality of tanks, the tank closest to the inlet for the high-pressure gas to flow into in the common gas filling path, are equipped with temperature sensors to measure the temperature inside the tank. The temperature sensor is installed in the tank that is furthest from the inlet among the plurality of tanks.

2. The high-pressure gas storage system according to claim 1, wherein, The multiple tanks are arranged side by side with their respective central axes parallel to each other.

3. The high-pressure gas storage system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The gas filling device is connected to the inlet via a filling nozzle. The high-pressure gas storage system also includes a communication device for notifying the gas filling device of information indicating the temperature measured by the temperature sensor.

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