Method for operating a tank device and tank device for storing gas fuel

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for operating a tank arrangement for storing gaseous fuel for a vehicle, comprising the steps of: introducing (S1) gaseous fuel into a gas line system (GL) via a first tank container (TB1), opening a valve arrangement (2) on the first tank container (TB1) by a control arrangement; identifying (S2) a pressure difference and / or a quantity difference that reaches or exceeds an initial pressure and / or an initial quantity of the gaseous fuel in the first tank container (TB1) relative to the gaseous fuel in the other tank container (TB2,...); identifying (S3) that a predetermined low demand for gaseous fuel is reached or below; the first tank container (TB1) is closed (S4) and the second tank container (TB2,..., TBn) is opened (S5) until a pressure equalization is achieved on the first and second tank containers, the first tank container (TB1) being filled with gaseous fuel from the gas line system (GL) even when the valve arrangement (2) is closed. The invention also relates to a tank device for storing gaseous fuel for a vehicle.

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for operating a tank device for storing gaseous fuel and a tank device for storing gaseous fuel. Background Art

[0002] In known pressure storage tanks, safety devices and / or valves can be installed. For this purpose, fuel cell systems with tank arrangements or tanks for gaseous media are known. In order to stabilize the pressure storage tank and prevent or at least mitigate the outflow of gas when the temperature of the stored medium increases or in case of leakage, the pressure storage tank can be equipped with, for example. Furthermore, it is desirable to reduce the cooling of the tank during rapid hydrogen extraction.

[0003] DE 112006003013 B4 describes a tank with fittings and valves, wherein the valve is fixed in the fitting. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention provides a method for operating a tank device for storing gaseous fuel and a tank device for storing gaseous fuel.

[0005] A further subject of the present invention is preferred extended technical solutions.

[0006] The idea underlying the present invention is to provide a method for operating a tank device for storing gaseous fuel and a tank device for storing gaseous fuel, wherein the tank cooling conditions during rapid extraction of gaseous fuel can be improved.

[0007] According to the present invention, in the method for operating a tank device, the following steps are carried out: introducing gaseous fuel into a gas pipeline system via a first tank container, wherein a valve facility on the first tank container is opened by a control facility; identifying a pressure difference and / or a quantity difference of the gaseous fuel in the first tank container relative to the gaseous fuel in another tank container that reaches or exceeds an initial pressure and / or an initial quantity; identifying by the control facility that a low demand for gaseous fuel via the gas pipeline system is reached or below a predetermined value; closing the first tank container (valve facility), and opening at least one second tank container until a pressure equilibrium within a predetermined range is achieved between the first tank container and the second tank container, wherein the first tank container can be filled with gaseous fuel from the gas pipeline system even when the valve facility is closed.

[0008] The pressure difference and / or quantity difference, as well as the corresponding initial values, can be pre-given according to the size of the first tank container and relative to the second tank container or another tank container. If the vehicle's engine or fuel cell operates in a reduced operating system and requires less gaseous fuel than in predefined normal operation (e.g., during driving), then there can be a low demand for gaseous fuel. In a fuel cell operating with hydrogen, the low demand can correspond to the so-called boost phase (Schubphase). A pressure balance within a predefined range, e.g., within a predefined tolerance, can occur in such a way that the first tank container can be filled with the gaseous fuel of other tank containers, e.g., even if the valve arrangement on the first tank container closes the outflow of the gaseous fuel. It can be advantageously assumed that the pressure difference and / or quantity difference of the gaseous fuel in the first tank container is examined relative to the initial pressure and / or initial quantity of the gaseous fuel in another tank container among the existing tank containers. Here, it can be assumed that most of all other tank containers have the same pressure. The initial pressure and / or initial quantity can be referenced to the start of operation or to the time period starting from a new (renewed) boost phase / low demand.

[0009] The tank container can be, for example, a carbon fiber tank, but a carbon fiber tank can cool significantly during rapid extraction, e.g., of hydrogen. In order to be able to better compensate or at least reduce the temperature drop, and in order to be able to better counteract or even better compensate for the resulting reduction in extraction quantity and thus the reduction in the system's effective range, the method according to the invention can advantageously contribute in such a way that the extraction of the gaseous fuel is not limited to a single tank container.

[0010] For the normal operation of the engine or fuel cell (outside of the low demand for gaseous fuel), it can be set that not all tanks are opened simultaneously, but rather only one tank is always opened (or if the quantity of the gaseous fuel in this tank container is not sufficient, multiple tanks can also be opened in parallel for this purpose).

[0011] This tank can then take on the volume of all the remaining tanks, so it is possible that this tank may also cool more quickly than when multiple tanks are operating simultaneously. Starting from a certain volume difference and / or a certain pressure difference, this tank can be closed again during the propulsion phase (at the only necessary low output volume of this tank) and one or more other tanks can be opened. These now-opened tanks can balance the tank pressure of the first tank. Since the inflow into this initially utilized first tank when the other tanks are opened may be higher than the outflow from this first tank, this first tank can then be heated and the remaining tanks can be cooled. Once approximate pressure equilibrium occurs, all tanks except for one selected tank, for example the second tank, can be closed, and now the vehicle can be operated by this second tank (outside of the propulsion phase). In the next propulsion phase, all tanks can be opened again and the pressure and temperature in the second tank can be increased again. It may also be advantageous for heating that the coldest tank (or the first tank to be utilized) has the longest pause and can thus be heated by the environment.

[0012] Additionally, the gas pipeline system (rails; connections of the tanks) can be heated by means of the cooling circuit of an extraction system for gaseous fuel (such as a hydrogen internal combustion engine, a fuel cell, etc.) using a heat exchanger, and thus the hydrogen that is led back into the tank already has a higher temperature.

[0013] Thus, according to the present invention, tank heating can be carried out by tank pressure equilibrium.

[0014] According to a preferred embodiment of the method, when the first tank container is closed, the second tank container and at least one third tank container are opened until pressure equilibrium within a predetermined range is achieved on the first tank container, then the third tank container is closed again and only the second tank container remains open until it is recognized that the gaseous fuel in the second tank container reaches or exceeds (the same or different) pressure difference and / or volume difference with respect to the gaseous fuel in another one of these tank containers (in terms of the (same or different) initial pressure and / or initial volume), then, when it is recognized again that the low demand for gaseous fuel via the gas pipeline system reaches or falls below a predetermined level, the second tank container is closed and at least one third tank container is opened until pressure equilibrium within a predetermined range is achieved on the second tank container and / or on the first and third tank containers, where the second tank container and the third tank container can also be filled with gaseous fuel from the gas pipeline system with the valve installation closed.

[0015] The same setting can also be used for a large number (more than three) of tank containers, where another (or new) tank container can always be utilized for supplying the gas pipeline system after a phase of reappearing low demand, and this other (or new) tank container has not taken on this role so far (in the determined operating sequence) and thus does not require a preheating phase during operation. In this case, it is considered that after one of the tank containers has been used as a supply tank for the gas pipeline system (and the consumption device) during normal operation (outside of low demand), this tank container is not reused for supply operation until a predetermined time has elapsed on this tank container and thus a preheating phase has occurred, where the supply operation is carried out by one or more other tank containers (sequentially or simultaneously).

[0016] According to a preferred embodiment of the method, the predetermined low demand for the gaseous fuel is a propulsion phase of a gaseous consumption device of a vehicle, such as a fuel cell, which is recognized and / or initiated by a control facility.

[0017] The recognition of this phase in the case of low demand can be carried out via a connection to the consumption device and / or via a sensing device, which can be connected to the control facility. The same applies to the end of the low demand system.

[0018] According to a preferred embodiment of the method, at least one additional tank container is opened together with the corresponding opened tank container outside of the predetermined low demand for the gaseous fuel in order to provide a predetermined amount of gaseous fuel in the gas pipeline system.

[0019] According to a preferred embodiment of the method, if more than two tank containers are in operation, then outside of the predetermined low demand for the gaseous fuel, the corresponding tank container is only reopened again when the temperature on the corresponding tank container corresponds to the maximum value among these tank containers, where the real-time temperature on the corresponding tank container is determined via measurements carried out on the corresponding tank container using a pressure sensing device and / or a temperature sensing device.

[0020] According to a preferred embodiment of the method, the corresponding pressure on the corresponding tank container is determined, and the pressure difference relative to at least one of the remaining tank containers is determined (and compared with a predefined value) via a pressure sensing device on the corresponding tank container.

[0021] According to the invention, a tank device for storing gaseous fuel of a vehicle comprises: a gas pipeline system and a large number of tank containers each with a valve facility, which connects the corresponding tank container to the gas pipeline system; and a control facility, which is connected to the valve facility and is configured to carry out the method according to the invention.

[0022] The control facility can be set to open and close the valve facility.

[0023] According to a preferred embodiment of the tank device, at least one tank container in the tank vessel includes a pressure sensing device and / or a temperature sensing device.

[0024] In order to better determine the pressure and / or temperature on the tank, each tank container can, for example, have its own tank valve and include a pressure and temperature sensing device.

[0025] According to a preferred embodiment of the tank device, the gas pipeline system includes a heat exchange facility that abuts against the gas inlet pipe leading to the tank container, and the gas fuel can be heated according to a predetermined value through this heat exchange facility.

[0026] According to a preferred embodiment of the tank device, the heat exchange facility is connectable or already connected to the cooling circuit of the vehicle. Thus, the waste heat of the vehicle can be utilized to heat the gas fuel in the gas pipeline system.

[0027] (The gas pipeline of the gas pipeline system) can be used to conduct the gas fuel to the tank container and can also be used to transport the gas from the tank container to the engine or fuel cell of the vehicle. The valve facility can include a lockable valve that can be opened and closed electrically.

[0028] The vehicle can be a fuel cell vehicle. In this case, the gas fuel can be a gaseous fuel for operating the fuel cell, such as hydrogen, or it can also be other gases suitable for this purpose. On the other hand, the gas fuel can also be a fuel gas for a gas-driven vehicle, such as hydrogen, compressed natural gas (CNG), or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and here it can also be liquefied gas.

[0029] In a vehicle having a fuel cell system, there may be a tank container filled with gas fuel, and the tank container or these tank containers may be under high pressure.

[0030] The tank device can also have advantages by virtue of the features and advantages mentioned in relation to the method, and vice versa.

[0031] Other features and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention are derived from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings. Description of the Drawings

[0032] The present invention will be further explained below with reference to the embodiments shown in the schematic diagrams of the accompanying drawings.

[0033] The accompanying drawings show:

[0034] Figure 1Schematic diagram during a step of an operating method according to an embodiment of the invention, of a tank device for storing gaseous fuel for a vehicle;

[0035] Figure 2 Schematic diagram during another step of an operating method according to an embodiment of the invention, of a tank device for storing gaseous fuel for a vehicle;

[0036] Figure 3 Schematic diagram during another step of an operating method according to an embodiment of the invention, of a tank device for storing gaseous fuel for a vehicle; and

[0037] Figure 4 Block diagram of method steps of a method for operating a tank device for storing gaseous fuel for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0038] Identical reference numerals in the drawings identify identical or functionally identical elements. Detailed Description

[0039] Figure 1 Schematic diagram showing a tank device for storing gaseous fuel for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention during a step of an operating method according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0040] The tank device 1 includes: a gas pipeline system GL and a large number of tank containers TB1, TB2, …, TB4 each with a valve facility 2, the valve facilities connecting the respective tank containers TB1, TB2, …, TB4 to the gas pipeline system GL respectively; and a control facility (not shown) connected to the valve facilities 2, wherein the control facility is arranged to carry out the method according to the invention.

[0041] The gas pipeline system GL may also include a heat exchange facility WT, which may be attached to the gas inlet pipes leading to the tank containers TB1, TB2, …, TB4, and by means of which the gaseous fuel can be heated according to a predefined value. For this purpose, the heat exchange facility WT may be connected to the cooling circuit of the vehicle.

[0042] In Figure 1 the case shown is the flow of gaseous fuel from the first tank container TB1 during the normal operation phase of a consumption device, such as a fuel cell. In this phase, all the remaining tank containers TB2 to TB4 may be closed. Below the tank illustration is shown the course of the temperature of the respective (above it) tank container over time. Here it can be seen that the only connected first tank container TB1 has the greatest temperature loss, and the remaining closed tank containers may have an approximately constant temperature.

[0043] Figure 2 Schematic diagram showing a tank device for storing gaseous fuel for a vehicle during another step of an operating method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] Figure 2 Showing the same arrangement as Figure 1 However, at another operating time point, especially during the first propulsion stage V of the consumption device, i.e., when there is a low demand for gaseous fuel, which can be recognized by the control facility or can also be initiated by the control facility.

[0045] In this stage, the first tank container TB1 can be closed and all other tank containers can be opened. Then the gaseous fuel can flow from all other tank containers into the gas pipeline system (flows F2, F3, F4) and also flow through the valve facility and be pressed into the first tank container (flow F1) in order to equalize the pressure of the first tank container until a pre - defined value is reached or complete equalization occurs.

[0046] The temperature - time curve below shows the temperature change process over time of the tank container belonging to the upper one. Here, D1 is the process without a heat exchanger and D2 is the process with a heat exchanger. It can be seen that after cooling, the first tank container TB1 can again have a significant heating, especially through filling, advantageously, greater than the pre - heating of the gaseous fuel in the gas pipeline system GL already carried out by the heat exchanger WT. After Figure 1 the constant - temperature stage, at this time the remaining tank containers are also cooled by opening them, but at a lower rate than in the case of running with only one tank container more quickly ( Figure 1 ).

[0047] Figure 3 Schematic diagram showing a tank device for storing gaseous fuel for a vehicle during another step of an operating method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] Figure 3 Showing the same arrangement as Figure 1 However, at another operating time point, especially when the consumption device is running normally again with a flow V of gaseous fuel, i.e., outside of low demand.

[0049] The second tank container TB2 can then supply the gas pipeline system GL and all other tank containers remain closed.

[0050] The temperature-time curve shown below depicts the temperature change process over time for the lower tank container subordinate to the upper tank container. Here, D1 is the change process without a heat exchanger, and D2 is the change process with a heat exchanger. It can be seen that the second tank container TB2 has a more significant cooling at this time due to a faster draw, while the remaining tank containers are even slightly heated, for example, due to the environment. Furthermore, Figures 1 to 3 The steps can be repeated (in the next advancement stage) and are carried out in particular such that each tank container can be utilized individually once outside of low demand. In this case, a tank container that has already been utilized individually can only be utilized individually again after its turn in the predetermined order, for the feeding of gaseous fuel, i.e., when the determined heating is carried out. All tank containers can be kept open during the advancement stage.

[0051] As a variant, in the case of small tank containers or high demand, more than one tank container can also be utilized simultaneously (outside of low demand).

[0052] Figure 4 A block diagram showing the method steps of a method for operating a tank device for storing gaseous fuel for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0053] According to the method for operating a tank device, the following is carried out: introducing gaseous fuel via a first tank container S1 into the gas pipeline system, wherein the valve arrangement on the first tank container is opened by a control facility; identifying S2 a pressure difference and / or quantity difference of the gaseous fuel in the first tank container relative to the gaseous fuel in another tank container in the tank container that reaches or exceeds the initial pressure and / or initial quantity; identifying by the control facility S3 a low demand for gaseous fuel that reaches or falls below a predetermined value via the gas pipeline system; closing S4 the first tank container and opening S5 at least one second tank container until a pressure balance within a predetermined range is achieved between the first tank container and the second tank container, wherein the first tank container can be filled with gaseous fuel from the gas pipeline system even when the valve arrangement is closed.

[0054] Although the present invention has been fully described above with reference to preferred embodiments, the present invention is not limited thereto and can be modified in various ways and methods.

Claims

1. A method for operating a tank device (1) for storing gaseous fuel for a vehicle, wherein, The tank device (1) comprises: a gas pipeline system (GL) and a large number of tank containers (TB1, TB2, …, TBn) each with a valve arrangement (2), which connects the respective tank container (TB1, TB2, …, TBn) to the gas pipeline system (GL); and a control arrangement, which is connected to the valve arrangements (2); The method comprises the steps of: - introducing (S1) gaseous fuel into the gas pipeline system (GL) via a first tank container (TB1), wherein the valve arrangement (2) on the first tank container (TB1) is opened by the control arrangement; - identifying (S2) a pressure difference and / or a quantity difference of the gaseous fuel in the first tank container (TB1) relative to the gaseous fuel in another tank container (TB2, …) that reaches or exceeds an initial pressure and / or an initial quantity; - identifying (S3) by the control arrangement a reaching or falling below of a predetermined low demand for gaseous fuel via the gas pipeline system (GL); - closing (S4) the first tank container (TB1) and opening (S5) at least one second tank container (TB2, …) until a pressure equilibrium within a predetermined range is reached between the first tank container (TB1) and the second tank container (TB2), wherein the first tank container (TB1) can be filled with gaseous fuel from the gas pipeline system (GL) even with the valve arrangement (2) closed.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein, When closing (S4) the first tank container (TB1), the second tank container (TB2, …) and at least one third tank container (TB3, …) are opened until a pressure equilibrium within a predetermined range is reached on the first tank container (TB1), then the third tank container (TB3, …) is closed again and only the second tank container (TB2) remains open until a pressure difference and / or a quantity difference of the gaseous fuel in the second tank container (TB2) relative to the gaseous fuel in another tank container (TB1, TB3, …) that reaches or exceeds an initial pressure and / or an initial quantity is identified, then, when re-identifying (S3) a reaching or falling below of the predetermined low demand for gaseous fuel via the gas pipeline system (GL), the second tank container (TB2) is closed (S4) and at least the third tank container (TB3, …) is opened until a pressure equilibrium within a predetermined range is reached between the second tank container (TB2) and the first and / or the third tank container (TB1, TB3), wherein the second tank container (TB2) and the third tank container (TB3) can be filled with gaseous fuel from the gas pipeline system (GL) even with the valve arrangement (2) closed.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The predetermined low demand for gaseous fuel is a propulsion phase of a gas consumption device of a vehicle, which is identified and / or initiated by the control arrangement.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein Outside the said predetermined low demand for gaseous fuel, at least one further tank container (TB2) is opened together with the correspondingly opened tank container(s) in order to provide a predetermined quantity of gaseous fuel in the said gas pipeline system.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, If more than two tank containers (TB1, TB2, TB3, …) are in operation, then outside the said predetermined low demand for gaseous fuel, the correspondingly opened tank container(s) (TB1, TB2, …) are only reopened again when the temperature at the corresponding tank container(s) (TB1, TB2, …) corresponds to the maximum among these tank container(s) (TB1, TB2, …), where the actual temperature at the corresponding tank container(s) (TB1, TB2, …) is determined by means of a measurement carried out on the corresponding tank container(s) (TB1, TB2, …) using a pressure sensing device and / or a temperature sensing device.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein The corresponding pressure at the corresponding tank container is determined and the pressure difference relative to at least one of the remaining tank containers is determined by means of a pressure sensing device at the corresponding tank container(s) (TB1, TB2, …).

7. A tank device (1) for storing gaseous fuel for a vehicle, comprising: a gas pipeline system (GL) and a large number of tank containers (TB1, TB2, …, TBn) each with a valve arrangement (2), which connects the corresponding tank container (TB1, TB2, …, TBn) to the said gas pipeline system (2); and a control arrangement which is connected to the valve arrangement (2) and is set up to carry out the method according to one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The can device (1) according to claim 7, wherein, At least one of the said tank containers (TB1, TB2, …, TBn) comprises a pressure sensing device and / or a temperature sensing device.

9. The can device (1) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein, The said gas pipeline system (GL) comprises a heat exchange facility (WT) which is arranged against the gas inlet pipe leading to the said tank containers (TB1, TB2, …, TBn) and by means of which the gaseous fuel can be heated according to a predefined value.

10. The can device (1) according to claim 9, wherein, The said heat exchange facility (WT) can be connected to the cooling circuit of the vehicle.

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