Hydrogen leakage monitoring device and method based on aerosol diffusion characteristics

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of hydrogen energy safety, and discloses a hydrogen leakage monitoring device and method based on aerosol diffusion characteristics. The hydrogen leakage monitoring device provided by the invention comprises the monitoring cabin, the aerosol release device and the monitoring element, the aerosol release device can release aerosol into the monitoring cabin and form stable and suspended aerosol cloud, and the monitoring element can monitor the disturbance condition of the aerosol cloud in the monitoring cabin. When hydrogen leakage occurs in the hydrogen storage device located in the monitoring cabin, leaked hydrogen jet flow disturbs the aerosol cloud and is monitored by the monitoring element, and then real-time monitoring of hydrogen leakage is achieved. Meanwhile, early detection of trace hydrogen leakage can be realized by monitoring the micro disturbance of the aerosol cloud, so that the sensitivity and timeliness of hydrogen leakage monitoring can be greatly improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of hydrogen energy safety technology, and in particular to a hydrogen leakage monitoring device and method based on aerosol diffusion characteristics. Background Art

[0002] As a clean and efficient energy source, hydrogen has the advantages of high energy density and zero carbon emissions, and has broad application prospects in energy storage, fuel cell vehicles, industrial production, etc. However, hydrogen is flammable and explosive, transparent and colorless, and has strong diffusivity. These characteristics make hydrogen leak detection and monitoring an important challenge in safety management.

[0003] In the related technologies, hydrogen leak detection is mainly based on direct detection by hydrogen sensors. These methods have the following main shortcomings:

[0004] (1) Low detection sensitivity: The hydrogen sensor has low detection sensitivity for trace hydrogen leaks, especially in the low concentration range, and cannot detect leaks in time;

[0005] (2) Low positioning accuracy: It is difficult to accurately locate the source of hydrogen leakage with existing technologies, especially in complex environments where the gas diffusion path is highly random;

[0006] (3) Slow response time: Hydrogen diffuses quickly, but the existing monitoring system has a long response time to rapid leaks, which may lead to increased safety hazards. Summary of the invention

[0007] In view of this, the present invention provides a hydrogen leakage monitoring device and method based on aerosol diffusion characteristics to solve the problems of low sensitivity, low positioning accuracy and slow response time of hydrogen leakage monitoring in the related art.

[0008] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a hydrogen leakage monitoring device based on aerosol diffusion characteristics, comprising:

[0009] A monitoring cabin, used to accommodate the hydrogen storage device, and the volume of the monitoring cabin is larger than the volume of the hydrogen storage device;

[0010] an aerosol release device, used for releasing aerosol into the monitoring cabin;

[0011] The monitoring element is used to monitor the aerosol disturbance in the monitoring cabin and determine whether hydrogen leakage occurs in the monitoring cabin based on the aerosol disturbance.

[0012] In an optional embodiment, the monitoring element includes:

[0013] A laser generator, used for emitting laser into the monitoring cabin;

[0014] The laser scattering image capturer is used to capture the laser scattering image of the aerosol in the monitoring cabin.

[0015] In an optional embodiment, the monitoring element further includes:

[0016] a controller connected to the laser scattering image capturer, and configured to receive a real-time laser scattering image captured by the laser scattering image capturer, and compare the real-time laser scattering image with a reference laser scattering image, so as to determine whether a hydrogen leak occurs in the monitoring cabin according to the comparison result;

[0017] Wherein, the reference laser scattering image is an aerosol laser scattering image captured when no hydrogen leakage occurs in the monitoring cabin;

[0018] Optionally, the controller is further used to determine a hydrogen leakage position in the monitoring cabin according to the comparison result.

[0019] In an optional embodiment, the monitoring element further includes:

[0020] A hydrogen concentration sensor, connected to the controller, for detecting the hydrogen concentration in the monitoring cabin;

[0021] The controller is also used to receive the real-time hydrogen concentration detected by the hydrogen concentration sensor, and determine the hydrogen leakage level in the monitoring cabin according to the comparison result and the real-time hydrogen concentration.

[0022] In an optional embodiment, the monitoring element further includes:

[0023] an alarm, connected to the controller;

[0024] The controller is also used to determine the alarm type according to the hydrogen leakage level in the monitoring cabin, and control the alarm to send an alarm signal based on the alarm type.

[0025] In an optional embodiment, a hydrogen discharge channel is provided on the top of the monitoring cabin, and the hydrogen leakage monitoring device further comprises:

[0026] A hydrogen discharge device, connected to the controller and arranged at the bottom of the monitoring cabin;

[0027] The controller is also used to control the hydrogen discharge device to start according to the hydrogen leakage level in the monitoring cabin to discharge the leaked hydrogen in the monitoring cabin.

[0028] In an optional embodiment, the hydrogen leakage monitoring device further includes:

[0029] A solenoid valve connected to the controller and arranged at the outlet of the hydrogen storage device;

[0030] The controller is also used to control the solenoid valve to open or close according to the hydrogen leakage level in the monitoring cabin.

[0031] In an optional embodiment, the hydrogen leakage monitoring device further comprises a water storage tank, which is arranged above the monitoring cabin, and there is a cavity between the water storage tank and the monitoring cabin;

[0032] Optionally, the laser generator, the laser scattering image capture device, and the controller are arranged in a cavity between the water storage tank and the monitoring cabin;

[0033] Optionally, the aerosol release device is arranged on the top of the monitoring cabin;

[0034] Optionally, the hydrogen concentration sensor and the alarm are arranged on the upper surface of the water tank.

[0035] In a second aspect, the present invention provides a method for monitoring hydrogen leakage based on aerosol diffusion characteristics, comprising the following steps:

[0036] (1) arranging an aerosol cloud around a hydrogen storage device and emitting a laser toward the aerosol cloud;

[0037] (2) capturing real-time laser scattering images of the aerosol cloud;

[0038] (3) comparing the real-time laser scattering image with a reference laser scattering image, and determining whether hydrogen leakage occurs in the hydrogen storage device according to the comparison result;

[0039] The reference laser scattering image is an aerosol cloud laser scattering image captured when no hydrogen leakage occurs in the hydrogen storage device.

[0040] In an optional embodiment, the hydrogen leakage monitoring method further includes:

[0041] When it is determined that hydrogen leakage occurs in the hydrogen storage device, the hydrogen leakage position of the hydrogen storage device is determined according to the comparison result.

[0042] The above technical solution of the present invention has at least the following beneficial effects:

[0043] (1) The hydrogen leakage monitoring device provided by the present invention includes a monitoring cabin, an aerosol release device and a monitoring element. The aerosol release device can release aerosol into the monitoring cabin and form a stably suspended aerosol cloud. The monitoring element can monitor the disturbance of the aerosol cloud in the monitoring cabin. When a hydrogen storage device located in the monitoring cabin leaks hydrogen, the leaked hydrogen jet will disturb the aerosol cloud and be detected by the monitoring element, thereby realizing real-time monitoring of hydrogen leakage; at the same time, by monitoring the micro-disturbance of the aerosol cloud, early detection of trace hydrogen leakage can be achieved, thereby greatly improving the sensitivity and timeliness of hydrogen leakage monitoring.

[0044] (2) The hydrogen leakage monitoring device provided by the present invention includes a monitoring element including a laser generator and a laser scattering image capturer, which can intuitively reflect the disturbance of the aerosol in the monitoring cabin through the laser scattering image. When a hydrogen storage device located in the monitoring cabin leaks hydrogen, the high-speed jet of hydrogen disturbs the aerosol cloud, causing the laser scattering image of the aerosol cloud in the monitoring cabin to change. It is possible to quickly determine whether hydrogen has leaked by naked eye observation, and accurately locate the leakage site after the hydrogen leak.

[0045] (3) The hydrogen leakage monitoring device provided by the present invention successfully realizes the combination of real-time monitoring and automatic control modules by setting various components of the monitoring element, cooperating with the hydrogen discharge device and the solenoid valve. It can quickly close the hydrogen supply channel when a high concentration of hydrogen leaks, and promptly remove the accumulated hydrogen, which can significantly reduce the risk of accidents and greatly improve the safety performance of the hydrogen storage device.

[0046] (4) In the hydrogen leakage monitoring device provided by the present invention, the aerosol cloud is generated by a water-based liquid, the operating cost is low, and it is suitable for hydrogen storage devices of different sizes and shapes and has high adaptability. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0047] In order to more clearly illustrate the specific implementation methods of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings required for use in the specific implementation methods or the description of the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some implementation methods of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative work.

[0048] Figure 1 A partial structural diagram of a hydrogen leakage monitoring device based on aerosol diffusion characteristics provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0049] Figure 2 An overall structural diagram of a hydrogen leakage monitoring device based on aerosol diffusion characteristics provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0050] Figure 3A front view of a hydrogen leakage monitoring device based on aerosol diffusion characteristics provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0051] Description of reference numerals:

[0052] 1. Controller; 2. Laser generator; 3. Laser scattering image capturer; 4. Solenoid valve; 5. Hydrogen storage device outlet; 6. Hydrogen discharge channel; 7. Hydrogen storage device; 8. Hydrogen concentration sensor and alarm; 9. Hydrogen discharge device; 10. Aerosol release device; 11. Water storage tank; 12. Monitoring cabin. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0053] The following examples are provided for a better understanding of the present invention, but are not intended to limit the best mode of implementation, nor to limit the content and protection scope of the present invention. Any product identical or similar to the present invention obtained by anyone under the inspiration of the present invention or by combining the features of the present invention with other prior arts shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0054] If no specific experimental steps or conditions are specified in the examples, the conventional experimental steps or conditions described in the literature in the field can be used. If no manufacturer is specified for the reagents or instruments used, they are all conventional reagent products that can be obtained commercially.

[0055] The present invention is further described in detail below in conjunction with specific embodiments. These embodiments should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection claimed by the present invention.

[0056] Figure 1 A partial structural diagram of a hydrogen leakage monitoring device based on aerosol diffusion characteristics provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 An overall structural diagram of a hydrogen leakage monitoring device based on aerosol diffusion characteristics provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 A front view of a hydrogen leakage monitoring device based on aerosol diffusion characteristics provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0057] like Figure 1-3 As shown, the hydrogen leakage monitoring device based on aerosol diffusion characteristics provided by an embodiment of the present invention includes a monitoring cabin 12, an aerosol release device 10 and a monitoring element. Among them, the monitoring cabin 12 is used to accommodate the hydrogen storage device 7, and the volume of the monitoring cabin 12 is greater than the volume of the hydrogen storage device 7. The aerosol release device 10 is used to release aerosol into the monitoring cabin 12. The monitoring element is used to monitor the aerosol disturbance in the monitoring cabin 12, and determine whether hydrogen leakage occurs in the monitoring cabin 12 based on the aerosol disturbance.

[0058] Exemplarily, the monitoring cabin 12 may be a transparent glass cylinder, and an annular area is formed between the cylinder and the hydrogen storage device to contain the aerosol cloud. The material of the monitoring cabin 12 may be high-strength glass or polycarbonate, which has good air tightness and pressure resistance. According to the size of the hydrogen storage device, the monitoring cabin 12 is designed to be cylindrical, with a height of at least 1.2 times the height of the hydrogen storage device and a diameter of at least 1.5 times greater than the diameter of the hydrogen storage device.

[0059] The aerosol release device 10 may be an aerosol generator, which may include a nozzle, a high-frequency oscillator and a liquid storage tank, and may be capable of dispersing liquid into aerosol particles with a diameter of 1-10 microns. The aerosol generator is used to generate a stably suspended liquid aerosol cloud (e.g., a water-based aerosol cloud) in the monitoring cabin 12. In the working state, the hydrogen storage device is placed in the monitoring cabin, and the liquid aerosol cloud generated by the aerosol generator is evenly distributed around the hydrogen storage device.

[0060] In an optional embodiment, the monitoring element may include a laser generator 2 and a laser scattering image capturer 3. The laser generator 2 is used to emit laser light into the monitoring cabin 12 to irradiate the aerosol cloud. The laser scattering image capturer 3 is used to capture the laser scattering image of the aerosol in the monitoring cabin 12.

[0061] Exemplarily, the laser generator 2 may be a laser that can emit a stable laser beam, and the wavelength and power of the laser beam may vary within a certain range. For example, the wavelength of the laser beam may be 450 nm, and the power may be 1000 mW.

[0062] The laser scattering image capturer 3 may be a CMOS camera for capturing images of aerosol scattered laser light. The pixel and frame rate of the CMOS camera may vary within a certain range. For example, the pixel resolution of the CMOS camera may be 1920×1080, and the frame rate may be 30 FPS.

[0063] In an optional embodiment, the monitoring element may further include a controller 1. The controller 1 is connected to the laser scattering image capturer 3, and is used to receive the real-time laser scattering image captured by the laser scattering image capturer 3, and compare the real-time laser scattering image with the reference laser scattering image, so as to determine whether a hydrogen leak occurs in the monitoring cabin 12 according to the comparison result. The reference laser scattering image is an aerosol laser scattering image captured when no hydrogen leak occurs in the monitoring cabin 12. The controller 1 is also used to determine the hydrogen leak position in the monitoring cabin 12 according to the comparison result.

[0064] In an optional embodiment, the monitoring element may further include a hydrogen concentration sensor 8. The hydrogen concentration sensor 8 is connected to the controller 1 and is used to detect the hydrogen concentration in the monitoring cabin 12. The controller 1 is also used to receive the real-time hydrogen concentration detected by the hydrogen concentration sensor 8, and determine the hydrogen leakage level in the monitoring cabin 12 according to the comparison result and the real-time hydrogen concentration. The detection concentration range of the hydrogen concentration sensor 8 can be selected within a certain range, for example, the detection concentration range of the hydrogen concentration sensor 8 can be 0-40000ppm.

[0065] In an optional embodiment, the monitoring element may further include an alarm 8. The alarm 8 is connected to the controller 1. The controller 1 is also used to determine the alarm type according to the hydrogen leakage level in the monitoring cabin 12, and control the alarm 8 to send an alarm signal based on the alarm type.

[0066] In an optional embodiment, a hydrogen discharge channel 6 is provided on the top of the monitoring cabin 12, and the hydrogen leakage monitoring device may further include a hydrogen discharge device 9. The hydrogen discharge device 9 is connected to the controller 1 and is provided at the bottom of the monitoring cabin 12. The controller 1 is also used to control the hydrogen discharge device 9 to start according to the hydrogen leakage level in the monitoring cabin 12 to discharge the leaked hydrogen in the monitoring cabin 12.

[0067] Exemplarily, the hydrogen exhaust device 9 may be a purge fan for purging aerosol and leaked hydrogen when a high concentration of hydrogen leaks. The specifications of the purge fan may be selected within a certain range, for example, the specifications of the purge fan may be: power 30W, voltage 24V.

[0068] In an optional embodiment, the hydrogen leakage monitoring device may further include a solenoid valve 4. The solenoid valve 4 is connected to the controller 1 and is disposed at the outlet 5 of the hydrogen storage device 7. The controller 1 is also used to control the opening or closing of the solenoid valve 4 according to the hydrogen leakage level in the monitoring cabin 12. The solenoid valve 4 is used to control the opening or closing of the hydrogen storage device 7 to supply hydrogen to the outside, and its operating voltage can be selected within a certain range, for example, the operating voltage of the solenoid valve 4 can be 24V.

[0069] In an optional embodiment, the hydrogen leakage monitoring device further includes a water tank 11, which is arranged above the monitoring cabin 12, and there is a cavity between the water tank 11 and the monitoring cabin 12. The laser generator 2, the laser scattering image capture device 3, and the controller 1 are arranged in the cavity between the water tank 11 and the monitoring cabin 12. Optionally, the aerosol release device 10 is arranged at the top of the monitoring cabin 12. Optionally, the hydrogen concentration sensor 8 and the alarm 8 are arranged on the upper surface of the water tank 11.

[0070] For example, in the hydrogen leakage monitoring device provided in the embodiment of the present application, its circuit structure may be as follows:

[0071] The hydrogen concentration sensor and the laser scattering image capturer (such as a CMOS camera) are connected to the controller via an I2C bus to transmit detection data to the controller. The controller controls the on / off states of the aerosol release device (such as an aerosol generator), the laser generator, the solenoid valve, and the hydrogen exhaust device (such as a purge fan) through a relay module. The alarm is connected to the controller and sends an alarm signal when a leak is detected.

[0072] For example, the working process of the hydrogen leakage monitoring device provided in the embodiment of the present application may be as follows:

[0073] Step 1: Startup phase:

[0074] (1) The controller is started, activating the aerosol generator to produce a uniform liquid aerosol cloud that fills the annular area between the hydrogen storage device and the monitoring cabin; (2) The laser is started, the laser beam irradiates the aerosol cloud, and the CMOS camera captures the scattering image in real time and records the baseline laser scattering image.

[0075] Step 2: Real-time monitoring phase:

[0076] (1) The hydrogen concentration sensor continuously detects the hydrogen concentration around the hydrogen storage device and transmits the data to the controller in real time; (2) The CMOS camera captures the laser scattering image of the aerosol cloud in real time, and the controller analyzes the image changes.

[0077] Step 3: Leak detection and response:

[0078] (1) Low-concentration leakage: The hydrogen concentration sensor does not detect hydrogen, but the CMOS camera captures local micro-disturbance of the aerosol cloud and local changes in the laser scattering image. The controller sends out an audible and visual alarm signal to prompt the operation and maintenance personnel to check the leakage point;

[0079] (2) Medium-concentration leakage: The hydrogen concentration sensor detects a hydrogen leakage with a concentration lower than 1000 ppm. At the same time, the aerosol cloud is disturbed on a large scale and the laser scattering image changes significantly. The controller closes the solenoid valve, cuts off the hydrogen supply channel of the hydrogen storage device, and issues a medium-level alarm signal;

[0080] (3) High-concentration leakage: The hydrogen concentration sensor detects a hydrogen leak with a concentration higher than 1000 ppm, the aerosol cloud is violently disturbed, and the laser scattering image changes dramatically. The controller closes the solenoid valve, starts the purge fan to remove the hydrogen accumulation, and sends out an emergency alarm signal.

[0081] Obviously, the above embodiments are merely examples for the purpose of clear explanation, and are not intended to limit the implementation methods. For those skilled in the art, other different forms of changes or modifications can be made based on the above description. It is not necessary and impossible to list all the implementation methods here. The obvious changes or modifications derived therefrom are still within the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims

1. A hydrogen leakage monitoring device based on aerosol diffusion characteristics, characterized in that: include: A monitoring cabin, used to accommodate the hydrogen storage device, and the volume of the monitoring cabin is larger than the volume of the hydrogen storage device; an aerosol release device, used for releasing aerosol into the monitoring cabin; The monitoring element is used to monitor the aerosol disturbance in the monitoring cabin and determine whether hydrogen leakage occurs in the monitoring cabin based on the aerosol disturbance.

2. The hydrogen leakage monitoring device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The monitoring element comprises: A laser generator, used for emitting laser into the monitoring cabin; The laser scattering image capturer is used to capture the laser scattering image of the aerosol in the monitoring cabin.

3. The hydrogen leakage monitoring device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The monitoring element also includes: a controller connected to the laser scattering image capturer, and configured to receive a real-time laser scattering image captured by the laser scattering image capturer, and compare the real-time laser scattering image with a reference laser scattering image, so as to determine whether a hydrogen leak occurs in the monitoring cabin according to the comparison result; Wherein, the reference laser scattering image is an aerosol laser scattering image captured when no hydrogen leakage occurs in the monitoring cabin; Optionally, the controller is further used to determine a hydrogen leakage position in the monitoring cabin according to the comparison result.

4. The hydrogen leakage monitoring device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The monitoring element also includes: A hydrogen concentration sensor, connected to the controller, for detecting the hydrogen concentration in the monitoring cabin; The controller is also used to receive the real-time hydrogen concentration detected by the hydrogen concentration sensor, and determine the hydrogen leakage level in the monitoring cabin according to the comparison result and the real-time hydrogen concentration.

5. The hydrogen leakage monitoring device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The monitoring element also includes: an alarm, connected to the controller; The controller is also used to determine the alarm type according to the hydrogen leakage level in the monitoring cabin, and control the alarm to send an alarm signal based on the alarm type.

6. The hydrogen leakage monitoring device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The top of the monitoring cabin is provided with a hydrogen discharge channel, and the hydrogen leakage monitoring device further comprises: A hydrogen discharge device, connected to the controller and arranged at the bottom of the monitoring cabin; The controller is also used to control the hydrogen discharge device to start according to the hydrogen leakage level in the monitoring cabin to discharge the leaked hydrogen in the monitoring cabin.

7. The hydrogen leakage monitoring device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The hydrogen leakage monitoring device also includes: A solenoid valve connected to the controller and arranged at the outlet of the hydrogen storage device; The controller is also used to control the solenoid valve to open or close according to the hydrogen leakage level in the monitoring cabin.

8. The hydrogen leakage monitoring device according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that: The hydrogen leakage monitoring device further comprises a water storage tank, which is arranged above the monitoring cabin, and there is a cavity between the water storage tank and the monitoring cabin; Optionally, the laser generator, the laser scattering image capture device, and the controller are arranged in a cavity between the water storage tank and the monitoring cabin; Optionally, the aerosol release device is arranged on the top of the monitoring cabin; Optionally, the hydrogen concentration sensor and the alarm are arranged on the upper surface of the water tank.

9. A hydrogen leakage monitoring method based on aerosol diffusion characteristics, characterized in that: The steps include: (1) arranging an aerosol cloud around a hydrogen storage device and emitting a laser toward the aerosol cloud; (2) capturing real-time laser scattering images of the aerosol cloud; (3) comparing the real-time laser scattering image with a reference laser scattering image, and determining whether hydrogen leakage occurs in the hydrogen storage device according to the comparison result; The reference laser scattering image is an aerosol cloud laser scattering image captured when no hydrogen leakage occurs in the hydrogen storage device.

10. The method for monitoring hydrogen leakage according to claim 9, characterized in that: The hydrogen leakage monitoring method further comprises: When it is determined that hydrogen leakage occurs in the hydrogen storage device, the hydrogen leakage position of the hydrogen storage device is determined according to the comparison result.

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