Hydrogen leakage monitoring device and method based on aerosol diffusion characteristics

Abstract

The application relates to the field of hydrogen energy safety technology and discloses a hydrogen leakage monitoring device and method based on aerosol diffusion characteristics. The hydrogen leakage monitoring device provided by the application comprises a monitoring cabin, an aerosol releasing device and a monitoring element. The aerosol releasing device can release aerosols into the monitoring cabin and form a stable suspended aerosol cloud. The monitoring element can monitor the disturbance condition of the aerosol cloud in the monitoring cabin. When hydrogen leakage occurs in a hydrogen storage device located in the monitoring cabin, the hydrogen leakage jet will disturb the aerosol cloud and be monitored by the monitoring element, thereby realizing real-time monitoring of the hydrogen leakage. Meanwhile, through monitoring of the micro-disturbance of the aerosol cloud, early detection of trace hydrogen leakage can be realized, thereby greatly improving the sensitivity and timeliness of the hydrogen leakage monitoring.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of hydrogen energy safety technology, specifically to a hydrogen leak monitoring device and method based on aerosol diffusion characteristics. Background Technology

[0002] Hydrogen, as a clean and efficient energy source, boasts advantages such as high energy density and zero carbon emissions, making it a promising candidate for applications in energy storage, fuel cell vehicles, and industrial production. However, hydrogen's flammability, explosiveness, transparency, colorlessness, and strong diffusivity pose significant challenges to hydrogen leak detection and monitoring in safety management.

[0003] In related technologies, hydrogen leak detection mainly relies on direct detection using hydrogen sensors. These methods have the following main drawbacks:

[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: Existing technologies are difficult to accurately locate hydrogen leak sources, especially in complex environments where the gas diffusion path is highly random.

[0006] (3) Slow response time: Hydrogen diffuses quickly, but existing monitoring systems have a long response time to rapid leaks, which may lead to an expansion of safety hazards. Summary of the Invention

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

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

[0009] A monitoring chamber for accommodating a hydrogen storage device, wherein the volume of the monitoring chamber is greater than the volume of the hydrogen storage device;

[0010] An aerosol release device is used to release aerosols into the monitoring chamber;

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

[0012] In one optional implementation, the monitoring element includes:

[0013] A laser generator is used to emit lasers into the monitoring cabin.

[0014] A laser scattering image capture device is used to capture laser scattering images of aerosols inside the monitoring chamber.

[0015] In one optional implementation, the monitoring element further includes:

[0016] The controller, connected to the laser scattering image capture device, is used to receive the real-time laser scattering image captured by the laser scattering image capture device, and compare the real-time laser scattering image with the reference laser scattering image to determine whether hydrogen leakage has occurred in the monitoring chamber based on the comparison result;

[0017] The reference laser scattering image is an aerosol laser scattering image captured when no hydrogen leak occurred in the monitoring chamber;

[0018] Optionally, the controller is also configured to determine the location of the hydrogen leak inside the monitoring chamber based on the comparison results.

[0019] In one optional implementation, the monitoring element further includes:

[0020] A hydrogen concentration sensor, connected to the controller, is used to detect the hydrogen concentration inside the monitoring chamber;

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

[0022] In one optional implementation, the monitoring element further includes:

[0023] An alarm device is connected to the controller;

[0024] The controller is also used to determine the alarm type based on the level of hydrogen leakage in the monitoring chamber, and to control the alarm device to issue an alarm signal based on the alarm type.

[0025] In one optional embodiment, a hydrogen venting channel is provided at the top of the monitoring chamber, and the hydrogen leak monitoring device further includes:

[0026] A hydrogen exhaust device, connected to the controller, is located at the bottom of the monitoring chamber;

[0027] The controller is also used to control the hydrogen venting device to start and vent the leaked hydrogen in the monitoring chamber according to the level of hydrogen leakage in the monitoring chamber.

[0028] In one optional embodiment, the hydrogen leak monitoring device further includes:

[0029] A solenoid valve, connected to the controller, is located at the outlet of the hydrogen storage device;

[0030] The controller is also used to control the opening or closing of the solenoid valve according to the level of hydrogen leakage in the monitoring chamber.

[0031] In one optional embodiment, the hydrogen leak monitoring device further includes a water storage tank disposed above the monitoring chamber, and there is a cavity between the water storage tank and the monitoring chamber;

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

[0033] Optionally, the aerosol release device is located at the top of the monitoring chamber;

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

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

[0036] (1) Arrange an aerosol cloud around the hydrogen storage device and emit a laser into the aerosol cloud;

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

[0038] (3) Compare the real-time laser scattering image with the reference laser scattering image, and determine whether the hydrogen storage device has experienced hydrogen leakage based on the comparison result;

[0039] The reference laser scattering image is an aerosol cloud laser scattering image captured when the hydrogen storage device has not experienced hydrogen leakage.

[0040] In one optional embodiment, the hydrogen leak monitoring method further includes:

[0041] If it is determined that the hydrogen storage device has experienced a hydrogen leak, the location of the hydrogen leak in the hydrogen storage device shall be determined based on the comparison results.

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

[0043] (1) The hydrogen leak monitoring device provided by the present invention includes a monitoring chamber, an aerosol release device, and a monitoring element. The aerosol release device can release aerosols into the monitoring chamber and form a stable suspended aerosol cloud. The monitoring element can monitor the disturbance of the aerosol cloud in the monitoring chamber. When a hydrogen storage device located in the monitoring chamber 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 leak. At the same time, by monitoring the micro-disturbance of the aerosol cloud, early detection of trace hydrogen leaks can be achieved, thereby greatly improving the sensitivity and timeliness of hydrogen leak monitoring.

[0044] (2) The hydrogen leak monitoring device provided by this invention includes a laser generator and a laser scattering image capture device. The two work together to visually reflect the disturbance of aerosols in the monitoring chamber through laser scattering images. When a hydrogen leak occurs in the hydrogen storage device located in the monitoring chamber, the high-speed jet of hydrogen disturbs the aerosol cloud, causing changes in the laser scattering image of the aerosol cloud in the monitoring chamber. It is possible to quickly determine whether a hydrogen leak has occurred by visual observation and accurately locate the leak site after the hydrogen leak.

[0045] (3) The hydrogen leakage monitoring device provided by the present invention, through the setting of each component of the monitoring element, together with the hydrogen discharge device and the solenoid valve, successfully realizes the combination of real-time monitoring and automatic control module. It can quickly shut down the hydrogen supply channel and remove the accumulated hydrogen in time when a high concentration of hydrogen leakage occurs. This can significantly reduce the risk of accidents and greatly improve the safety performance of the hydrogen storage device.

[0046] (4) The hydrogen leakage monitoring device provided by the present invention generates an aerosol cloud from a water-based liquid, has low operating costs, and is applicable to hydrogen storage devices of different sizes and shapes, thus having high adaptability. Attached Figure Description

[0047] To more clearly illustrate the specific embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the specific embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.

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

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

[0050] Figure 3This is a front view of a hydrogen leak monitoring device based on aerosol diffusion characteristics, provided as an embodiment of the present invention.

[0051] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0052] 1. Controller; 2. Laser generator; 3. Laser scattering image capture device; 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 chamber. Detailed Implementation

[0053] The following embodiments are provided to better understand the present invention and are not limited to the preferred embodiments described. They do not constitute a limitation on the content and scope of protection of the present invention. Any product that is the same as or similar to the present invention, derived by any person under the guidance of the present invention or by combining the features of the present invention with other prior art, falls within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0054] For experiments not specifically described in the examples, the procedures or conditions should be followed according to the conventional experimental procedures described in the literature in this field. Reagents or instruments whose manufacturers are not specified are all commercially available conventional reagent products.

[0055] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to specific embodiments, which should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection claimed by the present invention.

[0056] Figure 1 This is a partial structural diagram of a hydrogen leak monitoring device based on aerosol diffusion characteristics, provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 This is an overall structural diagram of a hydrogen leak monitoring device based on aerosol diffusion characteristics, provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 This is a front view of a hydrogen leak monitoring device based on aerosol diffusion characteristics, provided as an embodiment of the present invention.

[0057] like Figure 1-3 As shown, the hydrogen leak monitoring device based on aerosol diffusion characteristics provided in this embodiment of the invention includes a monitoring chamber 12, an aerosol release device 10, and a monitoring element. The monitoring chamber 12 is used to house a hydrogen storage device 7, and the volume of the monitoring chamber 12 is larger than the volume of the hydrogen storage device 7. The aerosol release device 10 is used to release aerosols into the monitoring chamber 12. The monitoring element is used to monitor the aerosol disturbance within the monitoring chamber 12 and determine whether a hydrogen leak has occurred within the monitoring chamber 12 based on the aerosol disturbance.

[0058] For example, the monitoring chamber 12 can be a transparent glass cylinder, forming an annular region between the cylinder and the hydrogen storage device to contain the aerosol cloud. The monitoring chamber 12 can be made of high-strength glass or polycarbonate, which has good airtightness and pressure resistance. Depending on the size of the hydrogen storage device, the monitoring chamber 12 is designed to be cylindrical, with a height at least 1.2 times the height of the hydrogen storage device and a diameter at least 1.5 times the diameter of the hydrogen storage device.

[0059] The aerosol release device 10 can be an aerosol generator, which may include a nozzle, a high-frequency oscillator, and a liquid storage tank, capable of dispersing liquid into aerosol particles with a diameter of 1-10 micrometers. The aerosol generator is used to generate a stable suspended liquid aerosol cloud (e.g., a water-based aerosol cloud) within the monitoring chamber 12. In operation, the hydrogen storage device is placed inside the monitoring chamber, and the liquid aerosol cloud generated by the aerosol generator is uniformly distributed around the hydrogen storage device.

[0060] In one optional embodiment, the monitoring element may include a laser generator 2 and a laser scattering image capture device 3. The laser generator 2 is used to emit a laser into the monitoring chamber 12 to irradiate the aerosol cloud. The laser scattering image capture device 3 is used to capture laser scattering images of the aerosols within the monitoring chamber 12.

[0061] For example, the laser generator 2 can be a laser capable of emitting a stable laser beam, the wavelength and power of which can vary within a certain range. For instance, the wavelength of the laser beam can be 450 nm and the power can be 1000 mW.

[0062] The laser scattering image capture device 3 can be a CMOS camera used to capture images of laser light scattered by aerosols. The pixel count and frame rate of the CMOS camera can vary within a certain range. For example, the pixel resolution of the CMOS camera can be 1920×1080, and the frame rate can be 30 FPS.

[0063] In an optional embodiment, the monitoring element may further include a controller 1. The controller 1 is connected to a laser scattering image capture device 3 and is used to receive real-time laser scattering images captured by the laser scattering image capture device 3, and compare the real-time laser scattering images with a reference laser scattering image to determine whether a hydrogen leak has occurred inside the monitoring chamber 12 based on the comparison result. The reference laser scattering image is an aerosol laser scattering image captured when no hydrogen leak has occurred inside the monitoring chamber 12. The controller 1 is also used to determine the location of the hydrogen leak inside the monitoring chamber 12 based on 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 within the monitoring chamber 12. The controller 1 is also used to receive the real-time hydrogen concentration detected by the hydrogen concentration sensor 8 and, based on the comparison results and the real-time hydrogen concentration, determine the hydrogen leakage level within the monitoring chamber 12. 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 0-40000 ppm.

[0065] In an alternative 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 based on the level of hydrogen leakage in the monitoring chamber 12, and control the alarm 8 to issue an alarm signal based on the alarm type.

[0066] In one optional embodiment, a hydrogen venting channel 6 is provided at the top of the monitoring chamber 12, and the hydrogen leak monitoring device may further include a hydrogen venting device 9. The hydrogen venting device 9 is connected to the controller 1 and is located at the bottom inside the monitoring chamber 12. The controller 1 is also used to control the activation of the hydrogen venting device 9 to vent the leaked hydrogen inside the monitoring chamber 12 according to the level of hydrogen leak in the monitoring chamber 12.

[0067] For example, the hydrogen purging device 9 can be a purge fan used to purge aerosols and leaked hydrogen in the event of a high-concentration hydrogen leak. The specifications of the purge fan can be selected within a certain range; for example, the specifications of the purge fan can be: power 30W, voltage 24V.

[0068] In an optional embodiment, the hydrogen leak monitoring device may further include a solenoid valve 4. The solenoid valve 4 is connected to the controller 1 and is located at the outlet 5 of the hydrogen storage device 7. The controller 1 is also used to control the solenoid valve 4 to open or close according to the level of hydrogen leak within the monitoring chamber 12. The solenoid valve 4 controls the opening or closing of the hydrogen supply from the hydrogen storage device 7, 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 one optional embodiment, the hydrogen leak monitoring device further includes a water storage tank 11, positioned above the monitoring chamber 12, with a cavity existing between the water storage tank 11 and the monitoring chamber 12. A laser generator 2, a laser scattering image capture device 3, and a controller 1 are disposed within the cavity between the water storage tank 11 and the monitoring chamber 12. Optionally, an aerosol release device 10 is disposed at the top of the monitoring chamber 12. Optionally, a hydrogen concentration sensor 8 and an alarm 8 are disposed on the upper surface of the water storage tank 11.

[0070] For example, the circuit configuration of the hydrogen leak monitoring device provided in the embodiments of this application can be as follows:

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

[0072] For example, the working process of the hydrogen leak monitoring device provided in this application embodiment can 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 chamber; (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 reference 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 changes in the image.

[0077] Step 3, Leak Detection and Response:

[0078] (1) Low-concentration leak: The hydrogen concentration sensor did not detect hydrogen, but the CMOS camera captured localized micro-disturbances in the aerosol cloud, and localized changes in the laser scattering image. The controller issued an audible and visual alarm signal to prompt maintenance personnel to check the leak point;

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

[0080] (3) High concentration leak: The hydrogen concentration sensor detects a hydrogen leak with a concentration higher than 1000 ppm, causing severe disturbance of the aerosol cloud and drastic changes in the laser scattering image. The controller closes the solenoid valve, starts the purge fan to remove the accumulated hydrogen, and simultaneously issues an emergency alarm signal.

[0081] Obviously, the above embodiments are merely illustrative examples for clear explanation and are not intended to limit the implementation. Those skilled in the art will recognize that other variations or modifications can be made based on the above description. It is neither necessary nor possible to exhaustively list all possible implementations here. However, obvious variations or modifications derived therefrom are still within the scope of protection of this invention.

Claims

1. A hydrogen gas leak monitoring device based on aerosol diffusion characteristics, characterized by, The hydrogen leakage monitoring device comprises: a monitoring cabin for accommodating a hydrogen storage device, and a volume of the monitoring cabin is greater than a volume of the hydrogen storage device; an aerosol releasing device for releasing an aerosol into the monitoring cabin, the aerosol being a water-based aerosol; a monitoring element for monitoring an aerosol disturbance condition in the monitoring cabin and determining whether a hydrogen leakage occurs in the monitoring cabin based on the aerosol disturbance condition; the monitoring element comprises a controller; the hydrogen leakage monitoring device further comprises: a solenoid valve connected to the controller and arranged at an outlet of the hydrogen storage device; the controller is further configured to control the solenoid valve to open or close according to a hydrogen leakage level in the monitoring cabin; the monitoring element comprises: a laser generator for emitting laser into the monitoring cabin; a laser scattering image capturer for capturing a laser scattering image of the aerosol in the monitoring cabin; the hydrogen leakage monitoring device further comprises a water storage tank arranged above the monitoring cabin.

2. The hydrogen gas leak monitoring apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by, the controller is connected to the laser scattering image capturer, 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 to determine whether a hydrogen leakage occurs in the monitoring cabin according to a comparison result; wherein the reference laser scattering image is a laser scattering image of the aerosol captured when no hydrogen leakage occurs in the monitoring cabin; optionally, the controller is further configured to determine a hydrogen leakage position in the monitoring cabin according to the comparison result.

3. The hydrogen gas leak monitoring apparatus according to claim 2, characterized by, the monitoring element further comprises: a hydrogen concentration sensor connected to the controller and configured to detect a hydrogen concentration in the monitoring cabin; the controller is further configured to receive a real-time hydrogen concentration detected by the hydrogen concentration sensor, and determine a hydrogen leakage level in the monitoring cabin according to the comparison result and the real-time hydrogen concentration.

4. The hydrogen gas leak monitoring apparatus according to claim 3, characterized by the monitoring element further comprises: an alarm connected to the controller; the controller is further configured to determine an 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.

5. The hydrogen gas leak monitoring apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the monitoring cabin is provided with a hydrogen discharge passage at a top portion thereof, and the hydrogen leakage monitoring device further comprises: a hydrogen discharge device connected to the controller and arranged at a bottom portion in the monitoring cabin; the controller is further configured to control the hydrogen discharge device to start to discharge the leaked hydrogen in the monitoring cabin according to the hydrogen leakage level in the monitoring cabin.

6. The hydrogen gas leak monitoring apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, characterized by a cavity exists between the water storage tank and the monitoring cabin; optionally, the laser generator, the laser scattering image capturer, and the controller are arranged in the cavity between the water storage tank and the monitoring cabin; optionally, the aerosol releasing device is arranged at a top portion in the monitoring cabin; optionally, the hydrogen concentration sensor and the alarm are arranged on an upper surface of the water storage tank.

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