Vacuum replacement device for hydrogen cylinder of vehicle and vehicle

Abstract

The utility model belongs to the technical field of hydrogen fuel automobiles, and provides a vehicle hydrogen cylinder vacuum replacement device and a vehicle, and the vehicle hydrogen cylinder vacuum replacement device comprises a first gas inlet pipeline, a second gas inlet pipeline, a one-way valve, a vacuum pump and a gas exhaust pipeline; one end of the first gas inlet pipeline is connected with a gas discharge port of a vehicle hydrogen supply system, and the other end is connected with the gas inlet end of the one-way valve; one end of the second gas inlet pipeline is connected with a hydrogen inlet of a vehicle hydrogen supply system, and the other end is connected with the gas inlet end of the one-way valve; the one-way valve is connected with the vacuum pump; the vacuum pump is connected with exhaust pipelines. According to the utility model, the efficiency of replacing nitrogen with hydrogen in a hydrogen system can be improved, and hydrogen consumption is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model belongs to the technical field of hydrogen fuel vehicles, and more specifically, relates to a vacuum replacement device for a vehicle hydrogen bottle and a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] Hydrogen fuel vehicles have become the development trend of future automobiles with their fast energy replenishment and zero emissions.

[0003] After hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are produced, it is usually necessary to replace nitrogen with hydrogen in the hydrogen system to ensure that the concentration of hydrogen supplied to the fuel cell meets the requirements, such as 99.97%. In the related art, this replacement process requires filling and discharging hydrogen into the gas cylinder multiple times, which takes a long time and consumes a large amount of hydrogen, resulting in high manufacturing and labor costs for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. Utility Model Content

[0004] The utility model aims to provide a vehicle hydrogen bottle vacuum replacement device and a vehicle, aiming to improve the efficiency of hydrogen replacement of nitrogen in a hydrogen system and reduce hydrogen consumption.

[0005] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the utility model provides a vehicle hydrogen cylinder vacuum replacement device, comprising: a first air intake pipeline, a second air intake pipeline, a one-way valve, a vacuum pump and an exhaust pipeline;

[0006] One end of the first air intake pipeline is used to connect to the gas discharge port of the vehicle hydrogen supply system, and the other end is connected to the air intake end of the one-way valve;

[0007] One end of the second air intake pipeline is used to connect to the hydrogen filling port of the vehicle hydrogen supply system, and the other end is connected to the air intake end of the one-way valve;

[0008] The air outlet end of the one-way valve is connected to a vacuum pump;

[0009] Connect the vacuum pump to the exhaust line.

[0010] Optionally, the vehicle hydrogen tank vacuum replacement device further includes: a stop valve;

[0011] The stop valve is arranged on the second air intake pipeline.

[0012] Optionally, the vehicle hydrogen tank vacuum replacement device further includes: a pressure sensor;

[0013] The pressure sensor is arranged between the one-way valve and the vacuum pump.

[0014] Optionally, the vehicle hydrogen tank vacuum replacement device further includes: a silencing device;

[0015] The silencer is arranged on the exhaust pipe.

[0016] Optionally, the vehicle hydrogen cylinder vacuum replacement device further includes: a discharge port operating tool;

[0017] The discharge port operating tool is arranged at one end of the first air inlet pipeline connected to the gas discharge port, and is used to control the opening of the gas discharge port.

[0018] Optionally, the first air intake pipeline, the second air intake pipeline and the exhaust pipeline are all pressure-resistant pipelines.

[0019] Optionally, a first connecting component is provided at one end of the second air intake pipeline connected to the hydrogenation port; the second air intake pipeline is connected to the hydrogenation port through the first connecting component.

[0020] Optionally, the vehicle hydrogen tank vacuum replacement device further includes: a gas storage tank;

[0021] A second connecting component is provided at the gas outlet end of the exhaust pipeline;

[0022] The exhaust pipeline is connected to the gas storage bottle through a second connecting component.

[0023] Optionally, the vacuum pump is turned on when the pressure in the vacuum replacement device of the vehicle hydrogen cylinder is less than a first preset threshold and greater than a second preset threshold, and is turned off when the pressure is less than or equal to the second preset threshold.

[0024] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the utility model provides a vehicle, comprising a vehicle hydrogen cylinder vacuum replacement device as in the first aspect or any one of the implementations of the first aspect.

[0025] Compared with the prior art, the embodiments of the present invention have the following beneficial effects:

[0026] The embodiment of the utility model is connected to the gas discharge port of the vehicle hydrogen supply system through the first air intake pipeline, and the second air intake pipeline is connected to the hydrogen filling port of the vehicle hydrogen supply system, and both air intake pipelines are connected to the vacuum pump. When the vacuum pump is running, the hydrogen filling port is formed with negative pressure by pumping air, blocking air from entering the gas cylinder; at the same time, the nitrogen in the gas cylinder is pumped out through the gas discharge port, and the one-way valve is used to prevent the gas from flowing back into the gas cylinder, thereby ensuring the purity of hydrogen after the gas cylinder is subsequently filled with hydrogen. The use of the device of the utility model can improve the efficiency of hydrogen replacement of nitrogen in the hydrogen system and reduce hydrogen consumption. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of the vehicle hydrogen cylinder vacuum replacement device provided by the embodiment of the utility model Figure 1 ;

[0028] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure of the vehicle hydrogen cylinder vacuum replacement device provided by the embodiment of the utility model Figure 2 ;

[0029] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of an application scenario of a vehicle hydrogen cylinder vacuum replacement device provided by an embodiment of the utility model;

[0030] Explanation of the accompanying drawings: first air intake pipeline 11, second air intake pipeline 12, one-way valve 13, vacuum pump 14, exhaust pipeline 15, stop valve 16, pressure sensor 17, silencer 18, manual relief valve 21, hydrogen filling port 22, one-way valve 23, sensor 24, filter 25, pressure reducing valve 26, sensor 27, multiple gas cylinders 28, and fuel cell stack 29. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] In order to make the technical problems, technical solutions and beneficial effects to be solved by the present invention more clearly understood, the present invention is further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present invention and are not used to limit the present invention.

[0032] The current cost of hydrogen production is relatively high. It is very important for hydrogen fuel vehicles to reduce the hydrogen consumption, improve hydrogen utilization, and reduce the manufacturing cost of the entire vehicle.

[0033] See also Figure 1 As shown, the vehicle hydrogen cylinder vacuum replacement device provided by the embodiment of the utility model is now described.

[0034] The vehicle hydrogen cylinder vacuum replacement device includes: a first air intake pipeline 11, a second air intake pipeline 12, a one-way valve 13, a vacuum pump 14 and an exhaust pipeline 15. Among them, one end of the first air intake pipeline 11 is used to connect the gas discharge port of the vehicle hydrogen supply system, and the other end is connected to the air intake end of the one-way valve 13. One end of the second air intake pipeline 12 is used to connect the hydrogen filling port of the vehicle hydrogen supply system, and the other end is connected to the air intake end of the one-way valve 13. The air outlet end of the one-way valve 13 is connected to the vacuum pump 14. The vacuum pump 14 is connected to the exhaust pipeline 15.

[0035] At present, the process flow of hydrogen fuel vehicle off-line includes: new vehicle off-line → pure electric commissioning → replacement hydrogenation → fuel-electric commissioning. The gas cylinder manufacturer will fill the gas cylinder with nitrogen for air tightness testing. The replacement hydrogenation link is actually to use hydrogen to replace the residual nitrogen in the gas cylinder to ensure that the hydrogen concentration after replacement is greater than 99.97%. The replacement process in related technologies is generally: fill a certain amount of nitrogen into the gas cylinder and then release it, then fill it with hydrogen and release it again, and repeat this cycle many times.

[0036] For example, the residual 0.2MPa nitrogen in the gas cylinder is replaced with hydrogen. First, fill it with 5MPa of hydrogen, then release it to 1MPa, and repeat the above steps for 5 consecutive times. For the 8*210L hydrogen storage system model, the hydrogen replacement of a single vehicle consumes at least 27kg of hydrogen. The comprehensive price of hydrogen transportation to the factory is 60-90 yuan / kg, which includes hydrogen cost, transportation cost, long-tube vehicle occupancy time fee, etc. It can be seen that the existing method consumes a lot of hydrogen during the replacement process, and the time cost and material cost are very high.

[0037] In this embodiment, the gas discharge port of the vehicle hydrogen supply system is connected through the first air intake pipe 11, and the residual nitrogen in the gas cylinder is extracted by running the vacuum pump 14, and then hydrogen can be directly filled into the gas cylinder without the need for a cyclic replacement process.

[0038] The second air intake line 12 is connected to the hydrogen filling port of the vehicle hydrogen supply system, and is mainly used to evacuate air through the vacuum pump 14 to form a negative pressure at the hydrogen filling port, so as to prevent external air from entering the gas cylinder from the hydrogen filling port when the gas is evacuated from the gas discharge port. Compared with the solution of using a rubber plug to block the hydrogen filling port, this connection method is simple to operate, has better airtightness, and does not have the risk of sucking the rubber plug into the hydrogen supply system. The one-way valve 13 ensures that the gas will not flow back into the gas cylinder, and the gas passes through the vacuum pump 14 and is finally discharged from the exhaust line 15.

[0039] The embodiment of the utility model is connected to the gas discharge port of the vehicle hydrogen supply system through the first air intake pipeline, and the second air intake pipeline is connected to the hydrogen filling port of the vehicle hydrogen supply system, and both air intake pipelines are connected to the vacuum pump. When the vacuum pump is running, the hydrogen filling port is formed with negative pressure by pumping air, blocking air from entering the gas cylinder; at the same time, the nitrogen in the gas cylinder is pumped out through the gas discharge port, and the one-way valve is used to prevent the gas from flowing back into the gas cylinder, thereby ensuring the purity of hydrogen after the gas cylinder is subsequently filled with hydrogen. The use of the device of the utility model can improve the efficiency of hydrogen replacement of nitrogen in the hydrogen system and reduce hydrogen consumption.

[0040] On the basis of the above embodiment, in order to better judge whether the nitrogen in the gas cylinder has been extracted and to improve the applicability of the device, this embodiment also provides another implementation scheme.

[0041] See also Figure 2 As shown, the vacuum replacement device for the vehicle hydrogen cylinder includes: a first air intake pipeline 11, a second air intake pipeline 12, a one-way valve 13, a vacuum pump 14 and an exhaust pipeline 15. Among them, one end of the first air intake pipeline 11 is used to connect the gas discharge port of the vehicle hydrogen supply system, and the other end is connected to the air intake end of the one-way valve 13. One end of the second air intake pipeline 12 is used to connect the hydrogen filling port of the vehicle hydrogen supply system, and the other end is connected to the air intake end of the one-way valve 13. The air outlet end of the one-way valve 13 is connected to the vacuum pump 14. The vacuum pump 14 is connected to the exhaust pipeline 15.

[0042] Optionally, the vehicle hydrogen cylinder vacuum replacement device further includes a stop valve 16 . The stop valve 16 is disposed on the second air intake pipeline 12 .

[0043] In this embodiment, due to the effect of the internal one-way valve at the hydrogen port, the gas can only enter the vehicle from outside the vehicle. Taking into account the differences in the design of the hydrogen supply system of different vehicles, the one-way valve and other devices at the hydrogen filling port of some hydrogen supply systems may be damaged when subjected to negative pressure. Therefore, a stop valve 16 can be set on the second air intake pipeline 12. For situations where negative pressure can be added, open the stop valve 16 to form a negative pressure at the hydrogen filling port. For situations where negative pressure is not suitable, close the stop valve 16, which can also ensure that the gas cannot enter the gas cylinder from the hydrogen filling port. This provides two options and improves the applicability of the device.

[0044] Optionally, the vehicle hydrogen cylinder vacuum replacement device also includes: a pressure sensor 17.

[0045] The pressure sensor 17 can be arranged on the main pipeline of the device, or on the first intake pipeline 11 and the second intake pipeline 12. Preferably, the pressure sensor 17 is arranged between the one-way valve 13 and the vacuum pump 14, which is closest to the vacuum pump 14, so as to facilitate the control of the vacuum pump 14.

[0046] For example, for a 210L gas cylinder, when the pressure is pumped down to 5kpa, it can be considered that the nitrogen in the gas cylinder is completely pumped out, and at this time the vacuum pump 14 can be turned off and hydrogen can be added to ensure that the purity of the hydrogen is greater than 98%. The use of the pressure sensor 17 enables the pumping situation to be clearly understood, avoiding the problem of the pumping time being too long or too short, and the timing of turning off the vacuum pump 14 being difficult to grasp.

[0047] Optionally, the vehicle hydrogen cylinder vacuum replacement device further includes: a silencer 18. The silencer 18 is disposed on the exhaust pipe 15, specifically at the end of the exhaust pipe 15, and is mainly used to reduce the noise of the device.

[0048] Here, the silencer 18 may be composed of a resonance chamber, an expansion chamber, and a group of porous pipes. The silencer 18 may also be filled with heat-resistant sound-absorbing materials, which are mostly glass fiber or asbestos. The exhaust gas flows into the expansion chamber and the resonance chamber through the porous pipes. During this process, the exhaust gas continuously changes its flow direction, gradually reduces and attenuates its pressure and pressure pulsation, consumes its energy, and finally reduces the exhaust noise.

[0049] Optionally, the vehicle hydrogen cylinder vacuum replacement device also includes: a discharge port operating tool; the discharge port operating tool is arranged at one end of the first air intake pipe 11 connected to the gas discharge port, and is used to control the opening of the gas discharge port when the gas discharge port is connected.

[0050] A general gas discharge port is similar to a tire air hole, which needs to be opened by pressing the gas core from the outside. Therefore, the end of the first air intake line 11 connected to the gas discharge port is a discharge port operating tool, which can be used to press the gas core to open the gas discharge port during connection. This embodiment does not limit the specific structure of the discharge port operating tool, and the tool currently available on the market can be used and installed at one end of the first air intake line 11.

[0051] Optionally, the first air intake pipeline 11, the second air intake pipeline 12, the exhaust pipeline 15 and the intermediate pipeline all use pressure-resistant pipelines that can withstand a certain pressure and prevent deformation from affecting gas circulation.

[0052] Optionally, a first connecting component is provided at one end of the second air intake pipeline 12 connected to the hydrogenation port; the second air intake pipeline 12 is connected to the hydrogenation port through the first connecting component.

[0053] Here, the first connecting component is a component that can fix the second air intake pipeline 12 to the hydrogen filling port and has good sealing performance. It can be designed according to the structure of the hydrogen filling port, and this embodiment does not limit it.

[0054] Optionally, the vehicle hydrogen cylinder vacuum replacement device further includes: a gas storage cylinder. A second connecting component is provided at the gas outlet end of the exhaust pipeline 15; and the exhaust pipeline 15 is connected to the gas storage cylinder via the second connecting component.

[0055] Considering that in some cases, such as when the purity of hydrogen in the gas cylinder is not enough, there is still a situation where the hydrogen needs to be extracted. In this embodiment, a second connecting component is provided at the gas outlet end of the exhaust pipe 15, and the exhaust pipe 15 can be flexibly connected to a gas cylinder through the second connecting component. When extracting hydrogen, the gas cylinder can be connected to collect the hydrogen, and it can be used again after purification to avoid waste. When extracting nitrogen, the gas cylinder can be disconnected and discharged directly into the atmosphere.

[0056] In the above embodiments, the ventilation operation using the vehicle hydrogen cylinder vacuum replacement device can be completed manually, for example, a staff member connects the first air intake pipeline 11 and the second air intake pipeline 12, turns on the vacuum pump 14, observes the pressure sensor 17, and turns off the vacuum pump 14.

[0057] In one embodiment, in order to realize the automation of the device and further save manpower operation, the vacuum pump 14 can be designed to open when the pressure in the vehicle hydrogen cylinder vacuum replacement device is less than the first preset threshold and greater than the second preset threshold, and close when the pressure is less than or equal to the second preset threshold.

[0058] The following is a detailed description of the automatic detection process:

[0059] For example, for a 210L gas cylinder, the gas cylinder manufacturer needs to conduct an air tightness test on site, generally filling it with 99.999% nitrogen at no less than 35MPa for testing. After the test, the nitrogen is discharged to about 0.2MPa, which is the residual nitrogen in the gas cylinder. According to theoretical calculations, a 210L gas cylinder can achieve a hydrogen concentration of 99.97% after the pressure inside the cylinder is evacuated to 5KPa and then filled with 99.999 hydrogen to 20MPa.

[0060] Step 1: Connect the vehicle's hydrogen tank vacuum replacement device.

[0061] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the connection between the vehicle hydrogen cylinder vacuum replacement device and the vehicle hydrogen supply system, wherein the vehicle hydrogen cylinder vacuum replacement device includes a manual relief valve 21 (control gas relief port), a hydrogen filling port 22, a one-way valve 23, a sensor 24, a filter 25, a pressure reducing valve 26, a sensor 27, multiple gas cylinders 28, a fuel cell stack 29 and other equipment. The hydrogen supply system is only an example, and the structure of different vehicles may be different.

[0062] The first air intake pipeline 11 is connected to the manual relief valve 21 downstream of the system, and the second air intake pipeline 12 is connected to the hydrogenation port 22. By controlling the on-off of the stop valve 16, the manual relief valve 21 and the hydrogenation port 22 can be simultaneously evacuated with negative pressure, or only the manual relief valve 21 can be operated with negative pressure.

[0063] Step 2: Open the discharge port operating tool, and the nitrogen in the gas cylinder 28 is automatically discharged. The pressure sensor 17 sends the pressure data to the controller of the vacuum pump. When the controller detects that the system pressure is lower than the first preset threshold value of 0.12MPa, the controller controls the vacuum pump 14 to start.

[0064] Step three, the controller continuously monitors the system pressure. When the system pressure is lower than the second preset threshold value of 5 kPa, the controller controls the vacuum pump 14 to turn off.

[0065] Step 4: Power on the vehicle, start the hybrid mode, and run the vehicle on fuel and electricity for 30 minutes. Observe whether the vehicle reports a fault, record the vehicle fault information, and determine whether it needs to be replaced.

[0066] The first hydrogenation is 25MPa, and a small amount of nitrogen from the gas cylinder is mixed in (hydrogen purity is greater than 98%), which does not damage the fuel cell stack. The mixed nitrogen accumulates to a certain amount during the hydrogen circulation process and can be discharged through the nitrogen exhaust valve.

[0067] Through the vacuum replacement device for hydrogen cylinders in the embodiment of the utility model, it is possible to eliminate the repeated replacement of hydrogen in the hydrogen system of hydrogen fuel vehicles when they are off the production line, so that the hydrogen concentration of the fuel cell system meets the national standard design requirement of 99.97% hydrogen mole fraction. In the actual production process of hydrogen fuel vehicles, it can reduce hydrogen consumption, reduce operation time, and reduce manufacturing costs, and has high application value.

[0068] An embodiment of the utility model further provides a vehicle, comprising a vehicle hydrogen cylinder vacuum replacement device as in the above embodiment.

[0069] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A vacuum replacement device for a vehicle hydrogen cylinder, characterized in that: include: A first air intake pipeline, a second air intake pipeline, a one-way valve, a vacuum pump, a stop valve, a silencer and an exhaust pipeline; One end of the first air intake pipeline is used to connect to the gas discharge port of the vehicle hydrogen supply system, and the other end is connected to the air intake end of the one-way valve; One end of the second air intake pipeline is used to connect to the hydrogen filling port of the vehicle hydrogen supply system, and the other end is connected to the air intake end of the one-way valve; The gas outlet end of the one-way valve is connected to the vacuum pump; The vacuum pump is connected to the exhaust pipeline; The stop valve is arranged on the second air intake pipeline; The silencing device is arranged on the exhaust pipe.

2. The vehicle hydrogen cylinder vacuum replacement device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The device also includes: a pressure sensor; The pressure sensor is disposed between the one-way valve and the vacuum pump.

3. The vehicle hydrogen cylinder vacuum replacement device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The device also includes: a discharge port operating tool; The discharge port operating tool is arranged at one end of the first air intake pipeline connected to the gas discharge port, and is used to control the opening of the gas discharge port.

4. The vehicle hydrogen cylinder vacuum replacement device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first air intake pipeline, the second air intake pipeline and the exhaust pipeline are all pressure-resistant pipelines.

5. The vehicle hydrogen cylinder vacuum replacement device according to claim 1, characterized in that: A first connecting component is provided at one end of the second air intake pipeline connected to the hydrogenation port; The second air intake pipeline is connected to the hydrogen filling port through the first connecting component.

6. The vehicle hydrogen cylinder vacuum replacement device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The device also includes: a gas storage bottle; The gas outlet end of the exhaust pipeline is provided with a second connecting component; The exhaust pipeline is connected to the gas storage cylinder through the second connecting component.

7. The vehicle hydrogen cylinder vacuum replacement device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The vacuum pump is turned on when the pressure in the vacuum replacement device of the vehicle hydrogen cylinder is less than a first preset threshold and greater than a second preset threshold, and is turned off when the pressure is less than or equal to the second preset threshold.

8. A vehicle, characterized in that: It comprises the vehicle hydrogen cylinder vacuum replacement device as described in any one of claims 1 to 7.

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