Hydrogen filling device and hydrogen filling method

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus for filling a hydrogen tank with hydrogen and a method for filling a hydrogen tank with hydrogen. The present invention suppresses a reduction in undesired filling amount into a hydrogen tank. Before the hydrogen tank is filled with hydrogen, control is performed in which a refrigerant is caused to flow through at least a portion of a pipe for filling the hydrogen tank with hydrogen, and the pipe is cooled.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for filling a hydrogen tank with hydrogen and a method for filling a hydrogen tank with hydrogen. Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses that, in a hydrogen storage unit, a plurality of hydrogen tanks are mounted on a manifold, the plurality of tanks are filled with hydrogen through the manifold, and hydrogen is supplied from the plurality of tanks through the manifold.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-157522

[0004] When filling multiple tanks with hydrogen from a hydrogen filling device, it is possible to simultaneously fill the multiple tanks through a branched hydrogen flow path connected to a hydrogen supply unit. However, when the hydrogen filling device is placed outdoors, for example, the hydrogen filling amount decreases and the desired hydrogen filling amount may not be obtained. Summary of the invention

[0005] Therefore, the present disclosure aims to provide a hydrogen filling device capable of suppressing an undesirable decrease in filling amount, and also to provide a hydrogen filling method capable of suppressing an undesirable decrease in filling amount.

[0006] As a result of the inventor's intensive research, the inventor has obtained the following insight: when filling hydrogen into multiple hydrogen tanks, the piping from the hydrogen supply device to the hydrogen tank is long, and the piping itself is thick for pressure resistance, so the heat capacity of the piping itself is large, so the temperature of hydrogen rises when hydrogen flows. Moreover, the inventor has obtained the research result that the increase in hydrogen temperature leads to an undesirable reduction in the filling amount, and has concretized a means for solving this problem.

[0007] The present application discloses a hydrogen filling device, which is a hydrogen filling device for filling hydrogen into multiple hydrogen tanks, wherein the hydrogen filling device includes a hydrogen supply unit on which a nozzle for filling hydrogen is installed, a storage unit on which multiple hydrogen tanks are installed, a main pipe as a pipe extending from the hydrogen supply unit, a hydrogen supply branch pipe as a pipe extending from the main pipe to the hydrogen tanks, and a control device, and the control device controls the refrigerant to flow through the main pipe before filling hydrogen into the hydrogen tanks.

[0008] The refrigerant that is circulated under the control of the control device may be configured such that hydrogen as the refrigerant flows out from at least one of the attached hydrogen tanks.

[0009] In addition, at this time, the hydrogen tank that allows hydrogen as a refrigerant to flow out can be the hydrogen tank through which the refrigerant can flow the longest distance in the main pipe. In addition, when the hydrogen remaining amount in the hydrogen tank is below a specified value, hydrogen as a refrigerant can also be allowed to flow out from another hydrogen tank.

[0010] The refrigerant that circulates under the control of the control device may be configured to use a pre-cooled refrigerant supplied from the hydrogen supply unit.

[0011] The present application also discloses a hydrogen filling method, which is a method for simultaneously filling hydrogen into a plurality of hydrogen tanks, wherein before filling the hydrogen tanks with hydrogen, a refrigerant is circulated through at least a portion of a pipe for filling the hydrogen tanks with hydrogen to cool the pipe.

[0012] According to the hydrogen filling device and method disclosed herein, the piping can be cooled before filling the hydrogen tank with hydrogen, thereby suppressing the temperature rise of the supplied hydrogen due to the piping during hydrogen filling. Thus, an undesirable decrease in the filling amount can be suppressed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 This is a diagram for explaining the hydrogen box 10 .

[0014] Figure 2 This is the appearance of the hydrogen filling device 50 .

[0015] Figure 3 This is a diagram for explaining the internal structure of the hydrogen filling device 50 .

[0016] Figure 4 This is a diagram for explaining the internal structure of the hydrogen filling device 60 .

[0017] Figure 5 This is a diagram for explaining the internal structure of the hydrogen filling device 70 .

[0018] Description of Reference Numerals

[0019] 10…Hydrogen box (hydrogen tank); 11…Tank body; 12…Liner; 13…Reinforcement layer; 14…Protective layer; 15…Joint; 16…On-off valve; 17…Casing; 50…Hydrogen filling device; 51…Storage unit; 52…Hydrogen supply unit; 53…Main pipe; 54…Hydrogen supply branch pipe; 55…Connecting device; 56…Solenoid valve; 57…Valve; 58…Hydrogen discharge unit; 59…Control device; 60…Hydrogen filling device; 61…Cooling pipe; 70…Hydrogen filling device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] 1. Hydrogen tank

[0021] First, a hydrogen cartridge as one embodiment of a hydrogen tank filled with hydrogen by the hydrogen filling device and method of the present disclosure will be described.

[0022] The hydrogen cartridge 10 is a container for storing supplied hydrogen in a liquid state or a gaseous state. Figure 1 A diagram for explanation is shown in FIG. Figure 1 (a) is an external view of the hydrogen cartridge 10 (the built-in tank body 11 is indicated by a dotted line). Figure 1 (b) is a cross-sectional view of the hydrogen cartridge 10 along the direction of the axis O. As can be seen from these figures, in the present embodiment, the hydrogen cartridge 10 includes a tank body 11 and a housing 17 .

[0023] The tank body 11 includes a liner 12 , a reinforcement layer 13 , and a protective layer 14 constituting a container body, and a joint 15 and an on-off valve 16 are disposed on the container body.

[0024] 1.1. Lining

[0025] The liner 12 is one of the components constituting the container body of the tank body 11, and is a hollow component that divides the internal space. In this embodiment, it is cylindrical. The liner 12 is formed by narrowing the openings at both ends of a cylindrical body 12a having a substantially constant diameter by dome-shaped side ends 12b, and a joint 15 is disposed at the narrowed opening 12c.

[0026] The liner 12 may be made of any material capable of retaining the hydrogen contained in its internal space without leakage, and any known material may be used. Specifically, for example, the liner may be made of nylon resin, polyethylene-based synthetic resin, stainless steel, aluminum or other metal. From the perspective of weight reduction, the liner is preferably made of synthetic resin.

[0027] The thickness of the liner 12 is not particularly limited, but is preferably 0.5 mm to 3.0 mm.

[0028] 1.2. Strengthening layer

[0029] The reinforcing layer 13 is one of the components constituting the container body, and is formed by stacking fibers in multiple layers and impregnating the fibers with a cured resin. The fiber layer is formed by winding multiple layers of fiber bundles around the outer periphery of the liner 12 to a predetermined thickness. The thickness of the reinforcing layer 13 and the number of windings of the fiber bundles are determined according to the required strength and are not particularly limited, but are about 10 mm to 30 mm.

[0030] [Fiber bundle]

[0031] The fiber bundle of the reinforcing layer 13 uses carbon fibers, for example, and the fiber bundle is a band-shaped bundle of carbon fibers having a predetermined cross-sectional shape (e.g., a rectangular cross-sectional shape). Specifically, although not particularly limited, a cross-sectional shape of about 6 mm to 20 mm in width and about 0.1 mm to 0.3 mm in thickness can be cited. The amount of carbon fibers contained in the fiber bundle is also not particularly limited, but, for example, a fiber bundle consisting of about 36,000 carbon fibers can be cited.

[0032] [Impregnation resin]

[0033] The resin impregnated and cured in the fiber (fiber bundle) in the reinforcing layer 13 is not particularly limited as long as it can improve the strength of the fiber. For example, a thermosetting resin cured by heat can be cited, specifically, epoxy resin, unsaturated polyester resin, etc. including an amine-based or anhydride-based curing accelerator and a rubber-based reinforcing agent. In addition, a resin composition cured by mixing an epoxy resin as a main agent and a curing agent with the main agent can also be cited. Thus, the resin composition as a mixture reaches and penetrates into the fiber layer during the period from mixing the main agent and the curing agent to curing, thereby automatically curing.

[0034] 1.3. Protective layer

[0035] If necessary, the protective layer 14 may be arranged on the outer periphery of the reinforcement layer 13 as one of the components constituting the container body. After being arranged, for example, glass fiber is wound and resin is impregnated therein. It can be considered that the impregnated resin is the same as the reinforcement layer 13. In this way, impact resistance can be imparted to the tank body 11.

[0036] The thickness of the protective layer 14 is not particularly limited, but can be approximately 1.0 mm to 1.5 mm.

[0037] 1.4. Connectors

[0038] The joints 15 are components respectively mounted on the two openings 12c of the liner 12, and are respectively arranged at both ends of the axial line O of the liner 12. The joint 15 on one end side functions as an opening for connecting the inside and outside of the container body, and is provided with an on-off valve 16. The joint 15 on the other end side is closed.

[0039] The member constituting the joint 15 is not particularly limited as long as it has required strength, and examples thereof include stainless steel, aluminum, and the like.

[0040] 1.5. Open and close valve

[0041] When the hydrogen cartridge 10 is not mounted on the hydrogen filling device 50 , the on-off valve 16 is closed, and when the hydrogen cartridge 10 is mounted on the hydrogen filling device 50 , the on-off valve 16 is opened by being pressed by a push rod (not shown) of the connecting device 55 .

[0042] At the front end of the on-off valve 16, on the side connected to the hydrogen filling device 50, there is a connection portion 16a connected to the hydrogen filling device 50. The connection portion 16a is a portion that can engage and disengage the connection portion 16a and the connection device 55 of the hydrogen filling device 50. The specific form is not limited, but in the present embodiment, a mechanical connection (mechanical interface) can be cited, wherein a bracket that can be used to connect a shooting lens to a main body in a camera, more specifically, a C bracket can be used. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the hydrogen box 10 is rotated around the axis O, and the connection portion 16a is connected to the connection device 55 of the hydrogen filling device 50.

[0043] 1.6. Shell

[0044] The outer casing 17 is a member that houses the tank body 11 and forms the outer shell of the hydrogen cartridge 10 , and includes a housing 18 and a handle 19 .

[0045] The housing 18 is a cylindrical member and is configured to accommodate the tank body 11 therein. The housing 18 is provided with a hole 18a at a position facing the on-off valve 16 of the accommodated tank body 11, so that the on-off valve 16 can be accessed from the outside.

[0046] The handle 19 is an arched component disposed in the shell 18 at the end opposite to the side where the on-off valve 16 of the tank body 11 is disposed. The user can hold the handle 19 to carry the hydrogen box 10 and load and unload the hydrogen box 10 to the hydrogen filling device 50.

[0047] 1.7. Others

[0048] The allowable pressure of the tank body 11 is not particularly limited, but from the viewpoint of being easy to carry and being able to store more hydrogen, a tank that can store hydrogen at an allowable pressure of more than 20 MPa and less than 70 MPa can be cited. When filling hydrogen, the higher the temperature at 70 MPa, the less the filling amount (the pressure drop at room temperature becomes greater).

[0049] 2. Structure and control of hydrogen filling equipment

[0050] Here, the hydrogen tank to be filled with hydrogen is not limited to the above-mentioned hydrogen tank, but may be a hydrogen tank of other known embodiments.

[0051] 2.1. Example 1

[0052] 2.1.1. Construction

[0053] Figure 2is a perspective view of the appearance of the hydrogen filling device 50 according to the first embodiment. Figure 3 Schematically shows the internal structure of the hydrogen filling device 50 ( Figure 2 Figure 2 shows the upper layer of the two-layer storage section 51.

[0054] The hydrogen filling device 50 is a device for filling hydrogen into the hydrogen cartridge 10. That is, the hydrogen cartridge 10 that has consumed hydrogen is attached, and the hydrogen cartridge 10 is detached after the hydrogen cartridge 10 is filled with hydrogen.

[0055] Therefore, the hydrogen filling device 50 includes a storage unit 51 , a hydrogen supply unit 52 , a main pipe 53 , a hydrogen supply branch pipe 54 , a connection device 55 , a solenoid valve 56 , a valve 57 , a hydrogen discharge unit 58 , and a control device 59 .

[0056] The following is a detailed description.

[0057] [Storage Department]

[0058] The storage portion 51 is a portion for storing the hydrogen cartridge 10 when the hydrogen cartridge 10 is connected to the hydrogen filling device 50. Figure 2 , a situation in which a hydrogen cartridge 10 is stored in a storage portion 51 is schematically shown. Figure 3 , a situation in which the hydrogen cartridges 10 are installed in all of the plurality of arranged storage portions 51 is shown.

[0059] As can be seen from the above figure, the storage part 51 is a space where the hydrogen cartridge 10 is arranged, and is a space surrounded by an inner wall having an opening 51a through which the hydrogen cartridge 10 can be taken out and put in. A connecting device 55 is arranged at the bottom of the storage part 51 on the opposite side of the opening 51a.

[0060] In the present embodiment, six storage sections 51 are provided in each of the upper and lower layers, but the number of storage sections 51 is not particularly limited.

[0061] [Hydrogen supply unit]

[0062] The hydrogen supply unit 52 is a supply port for supplying hydrogen to be filled in the hydrogen box 10 to the hydrogen filling device 50. Therefore, a connecting member (also called a nozzle) of a hydrogen supply pipe extending from a hydrogen supply device such as a hydrogen station is connected to the hydrogen supply unit 52. As a typical embodiment of the hydrogen supply unit 52, a filling port can be cited.

[0063] [Main piping]

[0064] The main pipe 53 is a pipe for supplying hydrogen from the hydrogen supply unit 52 to the hydrogen discharge unit 58 , and the hydrogen supply branch pipe 54 branches from the main pipe 53 .

[0065] The main pipe 53 may be provided with a pressure gauge 53a, and the internal pressure thereof may be known.

[0066] [Hydrogen supply branch pipe and connection device]

[0067] The hydrogen supply branch pipe 54 is a pipe branched from the main pipe 53 and extending toward each storage section 51. The hydrogen supply branch pipe 54 is a pipe through which hydrogen to be filled in the hydrogen cartridge 10 flows, and supplies hydrogen to the connection device 55.

[0068] The connecting device 55 is arranged at the bottom of the storage part 51 in the hydrogen supply branch pipe 54 and is connected to the connection part of the tank body 11 of the hydrogen box 10. It is connected to the on-off valve 16 of the above-mentioned tank body 11, and operates the opening and closing of the on-off valve 16 of the tank body 11 to allow hydrogen to flow into the tank body 11.

[0069] In this embodiment, the connecting device 55 has a rod-shaped push rod (not shown) arranged in the storage portion 51. When the hydrogen box 50 is stored in the storage portion 51, the push rod squeezes the valve body of the on-off valve 16, thereby opening the on-off valve 16 and allowing hydrogen from the hydrogen supply branch pipe 54 to flow into the tank body 11.

[0070] In the present embodiment, the connection device 55 has a connected portion (not shown) that engages with the connection portion 16a provided at the front end of the on-off valve 16. The shape of the connected portion is a shape that is suitable for the shape of the connection portion 16a.

[0071] [Solenoid valve]

[0072] The solenoid valve 56 is an on-off valve provided in each hydrogen supply branch pipe 54 and can be electromagnetically controlled to be opened and closed. In the present embodiment, the solenoid valve 56 is electrically connected to the control device 59 and its open and closed state is controlled based on a signal from the control device 59.

[0073] In this embodiment, the solenoid valve 56 is provided to switch the opening and closing of the hydrogen supply branch pipe 54, but the present invention is not limited to this. A push rod provided in the connecting device 55 may be electrically controlled to perform opening and closing control, and also function as a solenoid valve.

[0074] [Valve and Hydrogen Exhaust Section]

[0075] The valve 57 is a switching valve provided in the main pipe 53. When the valve 57 is opened, hydrogen can be discharged to the outside from the hydrogen discharge part 58. On the other hand, when the valve 57 is closed, the discharge of hydrogen from the hydrogen discharge part 58 to the outside is restricted.

[0076] The valve 57 may be a valve that can be opened and closed manually or a valve that is opened and closed by an electrical signal. When the valve 57 is configured to be opened and closed by an electrical signal, the valve 57 is electrically connected to the control device 59 and the open and closed state is controlled by the control device 59.

[0077] [Control device]

[0078] In the present embodiment, the control device 59 is a control device that independently controls the opening and closing of each of the plurality of solenoid valves 56. More specifically, in the present embodiment, after the hydrogen box 10 is installed on the hydrogen control device 50, the control device 59 controls the opening and closing of the solenoid valve 56 (or an electrically controllable push rod (hereinafter, there is a case where it is recorded as an "electromagnetic push rod")) before filling with hydrogen. The specific control content will be described later. However, the control device does not need to be only for this purpose, and can have other functions of controlling the hydrogen filling device 50.

[0079] The form of the control device 59 is not particularly limited, but can be typically constituted by a computer.

[0080] A computer includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) as a processor, a RAM (Random Access Memory) that functions as a work area, a ROM (Read-Only Memory) as a storage medium, a receiving unit as an interface for receiving information into the computer not limited to wired or wireless methods, and an output unit as an interface for sending information from the computer to the outside not limited to wired or wireless methods.

[0081] The receiving unit is connected to a device that issues a signal to install the hydrogen cartridge 10 in the hydrogen filling device 50 and start filling. On the other hand, the output unit is communicatively connected to the solenoid valve 56 (or solenoid push rod) so that the opening and closing of the solenoid valve 56 (or solenoid push rod) can be controlled.

[0082] The computer stores a computer program for making each process for controlling the hydrogen filling device 50 in the present embodiment as a specific instruction and executing the instruction. In the computer, the CPU, RAM, and ROM as hardware resources cooperate with the computer program. Specifically, the CPU realizes the function by executing the computer program recorded in the ROM in the RAM that functions as an operating area based on the signal of the start of filling obtained via the receiving unit. The information obtained or generated by the CPU is stored in the RAM. Moreover, based on the obtained result, an instruction is sent to the solenoid valve 56 (or the electromagnetic push rod) via the output unit as needed.

[0083] 2.1.2. Control (hydrogen filling method)

[0084] Next, a method of filling the hydrogen cartridge 10 with hydrogen under the control of the control device 59 of the hydrogen filling device 50 will be described.

[0085] In the initial state, the electromagnetic valve 56 (or electromagnetic push rod) and the valve 57 are set to a closed position in the hydrogen filling device 50. If the control device 59 receives a signal that the hydrogen cartridge 10 is installed in the hydrogen filling device 50 from this state, or if the control device 59 receives a signal to start hydrogen filling after installation, the control device 59 opens the electromagnetic valve 56 (or electromagnetic push rod) before hydrogen filling. As a result, the hydrogen remaining in the installed hydrogen cartridge 10 can flow into the main pipe 53.

[0086] Next, the valve 57 is set to an open state manually or under the control of the control device 59 .

[0087] Thus, the hydrogen remaining in the hydrogen cartridge 10 flows in the main pipe 53. At the same time, adiabatic expansion of the hydrogen in the hydrogen cartridge 10 occurs. Therefore, the temperature of the hydrogen decreases, and the temperature of the hydrogen flowing in the main pipe 53 is low, so the hydrogen functions as a refrigerant, and the main pipe 53 can be cooled.

[0088] Then, after a certain period of time has passed since the hydrogen was discharged from the hydrogen cartridge 10 (the main pipe 53 was cooled), the valve 57 is closed, and hydrogen is supplied from the hydrogen supply unit 52 to fill the hydrogen cartridge 10 with hydrogen. During the hydrogen filling, the main pipe 53 has already been cooled, so that the temperature of the hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen supply unit 52 (the supplied hydrogen is usually in a cooled state) is suppressed from rising due to the main pipe 53. Thus, an undesirable decrease in the filling amount due to a rise in the hydrogen temperature can be suppressed.

[0089] Furthermore, the main pipe 53 can be filled with hydrogen before filling the hydrogen cartridge 10 with hydrogen. Therefore, even if air is mixed into the main pipe 53 when the hydrogen cartridge 10 is installed, it can be discharged to suppress the intrusion of air into the hydrogen cartridge 10 .

[0090] In this embodiment, hydrogen originally remaining in the hydrogen box 10 is used as a refrigerant. Therefore, the cooling is performed within the range of the residual hydrogen in the installed hydrogen box 10. When a plurality of hydrogen boxes 10 are installed, hydrogen can be sequentially discharged from one hydrogen box 10 selected from the plurality of hydrogen boxes, or can be discharged from the plurality of hydrogen boxes simultaneously to the main pipe 53.

[0091] Furthermore, when the amount of residual hydrogen in the hydrogen cartridge 10 is known, it is more effective to mount the hydrogen cartridge 10 having the largest amount of residual hydrogen in the housing portion 51 farthest from the hydrogen discharge portion 58 (where hydrogen can flow longest in the main pipe 53 ).

[0092] 2.2. Example 2

[0093] In Example 2, the control (hydrogen filling method) is different from that in Example 1. The structure of the device can be considered to be the same as that in Example 1, so the control (hydrogen filling method) according to Example 2 will be described here.

[0094] In the initial state, the electromagnetic valve 56 (or electromagnetic push rod) and the valve 57 are set to a closed position in the hydrogen filling device 50. In the present embodiment, even if the control device 59 receives a signal that the hydrogen cartridge 10 is installed in the hydrogen filling device 50 from this state, or even if the control device 59 receives a signal to start hydrogen filling after installation, the control device 59 maintains the closed state of the electromagnetic valve 56 (or electromagnetic push rod).

[0095] On the other hand, the valve 57 is set to the open state manually or under the control of the control device 59 .

[0096] Next, a refrigerant is supplied from the hydrogen supply unit 52. Since hydrogen supplied from a hydrogen station or the like as a refrigerant is in a pre-cooled state, the pre-cooled hydrogen flows through the main pipe 53 as a refrigerant, thereby cooling the main pipe 53.

[0097] After a certain period of time has passed since the refrigerant is supplied from the hydrogen supply unit 52 (cooling of the main pipe 53), the valve 57 is closed, and the solenoid valve 56 (or the solenoid push rod) is controlled by the control device 59 to be opened, thereby performing hydrogen filling from the hydrogen supply unit 52 to the hydrogen cartridge 10. During the hydrogen filling, the main pipe 53 has already been cooled, so that the temperature of the hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen supply unit 52 is suppressed from rising due to the main pipe 53. Thus, it is possible to suppress an undesirable reduction in the filling amount due to a rise in the hydrogen temperature.

[0098] Furthermore, the main pipe 53 can be filled with hydrogen before filling the hydrogen cartridge 10 with hydrogen. Therefore, even if air is mixed into the main pipe 53 when the hydrogen cartridge 10 is installed, it can be exhausted to suppress the intrusion of air into the hydrogen cartridge 10 .

[0099] 2.3. Example 3

[0100] In Example 3, using Figure 4 The hydrogen filling device 60 is shown. Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the construction of the device is shown in Figure 3 ) Specifically, the hydrogen filling device 60 is provided with a cooling pipe 61 instead of the solenoid valve 56 and the control device 59, compared to the hydrogen filling device 50. The other devices can be considered to be the same as the hydrogen filling device 50.

[0101] according to Figure 4As can be seen, the cooling pipe 61 forms a flow path that surrounds at least a portion of the main pipe 53 from the outside (forming a double pipe structure). Furthermore, at least before hydrogen is filled into the hydrogen box 10, and as needed, the refrigerant is made to flow into the cooling pipe 61, thereby cooling the main pipe 53. The refrigerant used is not particularly limited, and a gas or liquid that functions as a refrigerant can be appropriately selected.

[0102] Thus, when hydrogen is filled into the hydrogen cartridge 10, the main pipe 53 is already cooled, so that the temperature of hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen supply unit 52 is suppressed from rising due to the main pipe 53. Thus, an undesirable decrease in the filling amount due to a rise in hydrogen temperature can be suppressed.

[0103] Here, the case where the main pipe 53 is actively cooled using the cooling pipe 61 is described. However, instead, the main pipe 53 may be surrounded by a heat insulating material to suppress heat reception from the outside, thereby suppressing a temperature rise of the main pipe 53.

[0104] 2.4. Example 4

[0105] exist Figure 5 , the structure of the hydrogen filling device 70 according to the fourth embodiment is schematically shown. Figure 5 The reference numerals shown are the same as those of the above-mentioned hydrogen filling device 50 .

[0106] In the fourth embodiment, the installation direction of the plurality of hydrogen boxes 10 is made radial, and the main pipe 53 is shortened. By shortening the main pipe 53, the volume (heat capacity) of the main pipe can be suppressed to be small, thereby suppressing the temperature of the hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen supply unit 52 from rising due to the main pipe 53 without necessarily cooling. In this way, it is possible to suppress an undesirable reduction in the filling amount caused by the rise in hydrogen temperature. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any one of the above-mentioned embodiments 1 to 3 may be used together.

[0107] As an embodiment in which the hydrogen cartridge 10 is mounted radially, the mounting direction may be set to the radial direction of a sphere or a circle, and the arrangement direction of the plurality of hydrogen cartridges 10 may be set to the direction along the spherical surface or the direction along the circumference.

Claims

1. A hydrogen filling device for filling a plurality of hydrogen tanks with hydrogen, wherein: The hydrogen filling device comprises: A hydrogen supply unit, which is equipped with a nozzle for filling hydrogen; A storage portion for mounting a plurality of the hydrogen tanks; A main pipe is a pipe extending from the hydrogen supply unit; The hydrogen supply branch pipe is a pipe extending from the main pipe to the hydrogen tank; as well as Control device, The control device performs control to cause the refrigerant to flow through the main pipe before the hydrogen tank is filled with hydrogen.

2. The hydrogen filling device according to claim 1, wherein: Regarding the refrigerant that is circulated under the control of the control device, hydrogen is caused to flow out as the refrigerant from at least one of the installed hydrogen tanks.

3. The hydrogen filling device according to claim 2, wherein: The hydrogen tank that allows hydrogen as the refrigerant to flow out is a hydrogen tank through which the refrigerant can flow over the longest distance in the main pipe.

4. The hydrogen filling device according to claim 3, wherein: When the remaining amount of hydrogen in the hydrogen tank is equal to or less than a predetermined value, hydrogen as a refrigerant is caused to flow out from another hydrogen tank.

5. The hydrogen filling device according to claim 1, wherein: As the refrigerant, a pre-cooled refrigerant supplied from the hydrogen supply unit is used.

6. A method for filling hydrogen into a plurality of hydrogen tanks simultaneously, wherein: Before the hydrogen tank is filled with hydrogen, a refrigerant is caused to flow through at least a portion of a pipe for filling the hydrogen tank with hydrogen to cool the pipe.

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