Hydrogen filling device for solid hydrogen storage cylinders

Abstract

This application provides a hydrogen filling device for solid-state hydrogen storage cylinders. The device includes a gas delivery module, a temperature control module, and a control module. The gas delivery module includes a main pipeline connected to a hydrogen source, several auxiliary pipelines connected to the main pipeline for connecting to the solid-state hydrogen storage cylinders, a pressure reducing valve and a mass flow meter on the main pipeline, and a solenoid valve on each of the auxiliary pipelines. The mass flow meter is located behind the pressure reducing valve along the gas delivery direction. The temperature control module includes a refrigeration system and a heat exchange box connected to the refrigeration system for cooling the solid-state hydrogen storage cylinders. The mass flow meter, solenoid valve, and refrigeration system are communicatively connected to the control module. Using the hydrogen filling device for solid-state hydrogen storage cylinders of this application, the integrated and intelligent modules enable automatic hydrogen filling of the solid-state hydrogen storage cylinders, replacing the manual hydrogen filling mode and improving the efficiency and safety of solid-state hydrogen filling.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of solid alloy hydrogen storage technology, and in particular to an automatic hydrogen charging device for solid hydrogen storage. Background Technology

[0002] Against the backdrop of the booming development of the hydrogen energy industry and the diversified layout of hydrogen energy storage, solid alloy hydrogen energy storage, as a core technology direction, has initially established a market scale. Among them, hydrogen electric vehicles, with their significant advantages such as zero emissions, long range, and efficient refueling, are accelerating their market promotion, and the deployment of various public infrastructure projects is increasing daily.

[0003] As hydrogen-powered electric vehicles enter the stage of large-scale operation, the demand for replacing solid alloy hydrogen storage cylinders, a core component of the vehicle, continues to rise, making efficient filling technology a key pain point for the industry's development. However, the current mainstream filling method still relies on manual single-cylinder water bath cryogenic filling, which suffers from low filling efficiency and is difficult to match the rapidly growing market demand.

[0004] In view of this, it is necessary to design a hydrogen filling device for solid hydrogen storage cylinders to solve one of the above problems. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a hydrogen filling device for solid hydrogen storage cylinders to address the problem of low efficiency in manual hydrogen filling.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution provided in this application is as follows:

[0007] This application provides a hydrogen filling device for a solid hydrogen storage cylinder, wherein the hydrogen filling device includes:

[0008] The gas delivery module includes a main pipeline connected to a hydrogen source, several auxiliary pipelines respectively connected to the main pipeline for connecting to a solid hydrogen storage cylinder, a pressure reducing valve and a mass flow meter installed on the main pipeline, and a solenoid valve installed on each of the auxiliary pipelines, wherein the mass flow meter is located on the rear side of the pressure reducing valve along the gas delivery direction.

[0009] The temperature control module includes a refrigeration system and a heat exchange box connected to the refrigeration system for cooling the solid hydrogen storage cylinder.

[0010] The mass flow meter, solenoid valve, and refrigeration system are all communicatively connected to the control module.

[0011] Furthermore, the auxiliary pipeline includes a main line and a branch line connected in parallel to the main line, the solenoid valve is located on the main line, and the branch line has an outlet for connecting to a solid hydrogen storage cylinder.

[0012] Furthermore, the gas delivery module also includes a first pressure display and a second pressure display for displaying the hydrogen pressure in the main pipeline. The first pressure display is located in front of the pressure reducing valve along the gas delivery direction, and the second pressure display is located behind the pressure reducing valve along the gas delivery direction and in front of the mass flow meter.

[0013] Furthermore, the gas transmission module also includes a pressure sensor installed on the main pipeline. The pressure sensor is located on the front side of the auxiliary pipeline along the gas transmission direction, and the pressure sensor is communicatively connected to the control module.

[0014] Furthermore, the gas delivery module also includes a buffer tank installed on the main pipeline, the buffer tank being located between the mass flow meter and the pressure sensor.

[0015] Furthermore, the temperature control module also includes a temperature sensor for monitoring the temperature of the heat exchange box, and the temperature sensor is communicatively connected to the control module.

[0016] Furthermore, it also includes a gas sensor installed above the gas delivery module, the gas sensor being communicatively connected to the control module.

[0017] Furthermore, it also includes an alarm system that is communicatively connected to the control module, the alarm system having high alarm levels and low alarm levels.

[0018] Furthermore, it also includes a vacuum system for extracting air from the main pipeline and auxiliary pipeline, the vacuum system being installed at the end of the main pipeline furthest from the hydrogen source.

[0019] Furthermore, it also includes a housing, a clamp disposed inside the housing to fix the solid hydrogen storage cylinder, and the heat exchange box is located outside the clamp.

[0020] Compared with related technologies, the beneficial effects of this application are as follows: the hydrogen filling device for solid hydrogen storage cylinders of this application realizes the automatic hydrogen filling operation of solid hydrogen storage cylinders through integrated and intelligent modules, replacing the manual hydrogen filling mode and improving the efficiency and safety of solid hydrogen filling. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the hydrogen filling device for solid hydrogen storage cylinders according to this application.

[0022] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of the hydrogen charging unit housing.

[0023] Among them, 101-hydrogen source, 102-solid hydrogen storage cylinder, 10-gas transmission module, 11-main pipeline, 111-first check valve, 112-first ball valve, 113-filter, 114-second check valve, 12-auxiliary pipeline, 121-main line, 122-branch line, 123-high pressure hose, 13-solid valve, 14-pressure reducing valve, 151-first pressure display, 152-second pressure display, 16-mass flow meter, 17-pressure sensor, 18-buffer tank, 20-temperature control module, 21-refrigeration system, 22-heat exchange box, 23-temperature sensor, 30-control module, 40-vacuum system, 41-second ball valve, 42-third check valve, 50-box body, 51-clamp. Detailed Implementation

[0024] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solutions in this application, the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort should fall within the scope of protection of this application.

[0025] It should be noted that the terms "upper" and "lower," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the purpose of simplifying the description of this application and do not indicate or imply that the device referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of this application. Specifically, in this application, the direction facing the ground is referred to as "lower," and conversely, the direction away from the ground is referred to as "upper." Other descriptions of orientation are defined based on "upper" and "lower."

[0026] In the various figures of this application, for ease of illustration, certain dimensions of structures or parts may be exaggerated relative to other structural parts; therefore, they are only used to illustrate the basic structure of the subject matter of this application.

[0027] This application provides a hydrogen filling device for a solid hydrogen storage cylinder. Hydrogen molecules enter the solid hydrogen storage cylinder under a pressure of 4 MPa to 5 MPa. The hydrogen molecules are first physically adsorbed on the surface of the alloy material. Under the catalytic action of the alloy surface, the hydrogen molecules decompose into hydrogen atoms. The dissociated hydrogen atoms are chemically adsorbed on the alloy surface and slowly diffuse from the surface of the alloy into the interior of the alloy lattice. Then, the hydrogen atoms diffuse into the interstitial positions of the alloy lattice and react chemically with the metal atoms in the alloy to form chemical bonds, thereby generating metal hydrides that are stored in the solid hydrogen cylinder.

[0028] The hydrogen filling device includes a gas delivery module 10 for connecting the hydrogen source 101 and the solid hydrogen storage cylinder 102, a temperature control module 20, and a control module 30 that is communicatively connected to the gas delivery module 10 and the temperature control module 20 respectively. The cooperation between the gas delivery module 10, the temperature control module 20 and the control module 30 realizes the operation of automatically filling the solid hydrogen storage cylinder with hydrogen.

[0029] Specifically, such as Figure 1 As shown, the gas delivery module 10 includes a main pipeline 11 for connecting to a hydrogen source 101 and several auxiliary pipelines 12 connected to the main pipeline 11 for connecting to solid hydrogen storage cylinders 102. This allows for the simultaneous filling of multiple solid hydrogen storage cylinders 102 with hydrogen, thereby improving work efficiency.

[0030] The gas delivery module 10 also includes a solenoid valve 13 installed on each of the auxiliary pipelines 12, which can selectively fill one or more solid hydrogen storage cylinders 102 with hydrogen, making it suitable for various operating scenarios and improving the adaptability of the hydrogen filling device.

[0031] In this application, the auxiliary pipeline 12 includes a main line 121 and branch lines 122 connected in parallel to the main line 121. The solenoid valve 13 is provided on the main line 121, that is, all branch lines 122 are controlled by the same solenoid valve 13. The branch line 122 has an outlet end for connecting to the solid hydrogen storage cylinder 102. The branch line 122 is composed of a steel pipe and a high-pressure hose 123. The auxiliary pipeline 12 is installed with the cylinder valve of the solid hydrogen storage cylinder 102 through the high-pressure hose 123.

[0032] During the hydrogen storage process in the solid-state hydrogen storage cylinder 102, when hydrogen comes into contact with the alloy surface, it dissociates into atoms and then diffuses into the interstitial spaces of the crystal lattice. This process requires suitable temperature and pressure conditions. In order to adjust the hydrogen to a suitable pressure, the gas delivery module 10 also includes a pressure reducing valve 14 located on the main pipeline 11. The pressure reducing valve 14 is located close to the hydrogen source 101 to adjust the hydrogen pressure to 4 MPa, which meets the requirements for charging the solid-state hydrogen storage cylinder 102.

[0033] The gas delivery module 10 also includes a first pressure display 151 and a second pressure display 152 for displaying the hydrogen pressure in the main pipeline 11. Both the first pressure display 151 and the second pressure display 152 are installed on the main pipeline 11. The first pressure display 151 is located in front of the pressure reducing valve 14 along the gas delivery direction and is used to display the pressure of the hydrogen before it is depressurized. The second pressure display 152 is located behind the pressure reducing valve 14 along the gas delivery direction and is used to display the pressure of the hydrogen after it has been depressurized by the pressure reducing valve 14.

[0034] The gas delivery module 10 also includes a mass flow meter 16, which is communicatively connected to the control module 30. The mass flow meter 16 records the instantaneous and cumulative flow of hydrogen. The mass flow meter 16 is located behind the pressure reducing valve 14 along the gas delivery direction. Preferably, the mass flow meter 16 is located behind the second pressure display 152 along the gas delivery direction. After the pressure reducing valve 14 reduces the hydrogen pressure, the hydrogen then passes through the mass flow meter 16, improving the stability and accuracy of the data acquired by the mass flow meter 16.

[0035] When solenoid valve 14 is opened, hydrogen gas flows sequentially into solid hydrogen storage cylinder 102 through pressure reducing valve 14 and mass flow meter 16. After the accumulated flow rate of mass flow meter 16 reaches a set value, solenoid valve 13 automatically closes, completing the hydrogen filling process; alternatively, the opening time of solenoid valve 13 is recorded, and after a preset time, solenoid valve 13 automatically closes, completing the hydrogen filling process. The preset flow rate and preset time are both pre-set based on the hydrogen storage capacity of solid hydrogen storage cylinder 102.

[0036] The gas delivery module 10 also includes a pressure sensor 17 installed on the main pipeline 11. The pressure sensor 17 is located on the front side of the auxiliary pipeline 12 along the gas delivery direction. Specifically, the pressure sensor 17 is located between the mass flow meter 16 and the auxiliary pipeline 12. The pressure sensor 17 is communicatively connected to the control module 30 and is used to detect the pressure of hydrogen gas before it enters the solid hydrogen storage cylinder 102 in real time, and upload the data to the control module 30 to ensure that the pressure of hydrogen gas entering the solid hydrogen storage cylinder 102 meets the requirements to ensure the safety of the hydrogen filling process. If the pressure sensor 17 detects that the pressure of hydrogen gas is greater than 5MPa, the control module 30 displays a high-pressure alarm and controls the solenoid valve 13 to be shut off, and the hydrogen filling device stops operating.

[0037] The gas delivery module 10 also includes a buffer tank 18 installed on the main pipeline 11. The buffer tank 18 is located between the mass flow meter 16 and the pressure sensor 17. Before entering the solid hydrogen storage cylinder 102, the hydrogen is buffered in the buffer tank 18. On the one hand, this can slow down the flow rate of the hydrogen, and on the other hand, it can make the flow of hydrogen more uniform, ensuring the safety of the hydrogen filling process.

[0038] The mass flow meter 16, solenoid valve 13, and pressure sensor 17 are all communicatively connected to the control module 30. The control module 30 is used to receive and analyze the parameters of the mass flow meter 16, pressure sensor 17, and other devices, and to make corresponding instructions to the solenoid valve 13 and other devices according to the above parameters, so as to realize the automatic completion of the hydrogen charging process.

[0039] The gas delivery module 10 also includes a first one-way valve 111 and a second one-way valve 114 installed on the main pipeline 11. The first one-way valve 111 is located in front of the pressure reducing valve 14 along the gas delivery direction, and the second one-way valve 114 is located between the buffer tank 18 and the pressure sensor 17 to prevent the reverse flow of hydrogen during the hydrogen filling process.

[0040] The gas transmission module 10 also includes a first ball valve 112 installed on the main pipeline 11. The first ball valve 112 is located near the hydrogen source 101 and serves as a manual switch. It is only required to be used after the first start-up or maintenance, and no operation is required during subsequent routine hydrogen charging processes.

[0041] The gas delivery module 10 also includes a filter 13 installed on the main pipeline 11. The filter 113 is installed on the front side of the first one-way valve 111 along the gas delivery direction to filter impurities in the hydrogen and prevent impurities from entering the solid hydrogen storage cylinder 102.

[0042] The temperature control module 20 includes a refrigeration system 21 and a heat exchange box 22 connected to the refrigeration system 21 for cooling the solid hydrogen storage cylinder 102. The refrigeration system 21 supplies refrigerant to the heat exchange box 22, so that the temperature of the heat exchange box 22 is controlled within a reasonable temperature range. A suitable temperature is required during the diffusion of hydrogen atoms into the interstices of the crystal lattice. Higher temperatures are not conducive to the adsorption of hydrogen ions, while lower temperatures affect the adsorption rate. The temperature of the heat exchange box 22 in this application is preferably maintained between 5°C and 10°C.

[0043] The temperature control module 20 also includes at least one temperature sensor 23 for monitoring the temperature of the heat exchange box 22. Both the refrigeration system 21 and the temperature sensor 23 are communicatively connected to the control module 30. The control module 30 receives the temperature of the heat exchange box 22 detected by the temperature sensor 23 and compares it with a preset temperature, which ranges from 5°C to 10°C. If the temperature of the heat exchange box 22 exceeds 5°C, the control module 30 controls each component to start working, thereby automatically completing the hydrogen charging process. If the temperature of the heat exchange box 22 exceeds 10°C, the control module 30 controls the refrigeration system 21 to start cooling to provide cooling for the heat exchange box 22, ensuring that the heat exchange box 22 remains within a reasonable temperature range. If the temperature of the heat exchange box 22 continues to exceed 10°C, the control module closes the solenoid valve 13, interrupting the hydrogen charging process.

[0044] This application is equipped with three temperature sensors 23, which can acquire temperature information at multiple points.

[0045] The hydrogen charging device also includes a gas sensor installed above the gas delivery module 10. The gas sensor is communicatively connected to the control module 30. The gas sensor is used to detect whether there is a hydrogen leak and to feed back the monitoring information to the control module 30.

[0046] The inflation device also includes an alarm system that is communicatively connected to the control module 30. After processing the collected abnormal pressure or abnormal temperature signals, the control module 30 issues an alarm to the alarm system to remind the operator to take action.

[0047] The alarm system has high-level alarm and low-level alarm settings. For example, if the concentration of combustible gas in the environment reaches 10% LEL, the control module triggers the low-level alarm and issues an alarm. If the concentration of combustible gas does not increase further within a certain period of time, the alarm system automatically stops alarming. If the concentration of combustible gas in the environment reaches 25% LEL, the control module triggers the high-level alarm and issues an alarm, and automatically shuts off the solenoid valve to stop the hydrogen charging operation.

[0048] The hydrogen charging device also includes a vacuum system 40 installed on the main pipeline 11. The vacuum system 40 is located at the end of the main pipeline 11 furthest from the hydrogen source 101. The vacuum system 40 includes a second ball valve 41 and a third one-way valve 42. The third one-way valve 42 is designed to prevent reverse air flow. Before using the hydrogen charging device, the first ball valve 111 and the second ball valve 114 are closed, and the second ball valve 41 in the vacuum system 40 is opened to start the vacuum system and remove all air from the main pipeline 11 and the auxiliary main pipeline 12, preventing air from entering the solid hydrogen storage tube 102 or affecting the normal hydrogen charging process. After vacuuming is completed, the second ball valve 41 is closed, and the first ball valve 111 and the third ball valve 114 are opened to prepare for the hydrogen charging operation.

[0049] Understandably, the vacuuming operation is only performed before the hydrogen charging device is used for the first time, or when the equipment is restarted after maintenance; it is not necessary to perform this operation repeatedly at other times.

[0050] like Figure 2 As shown, the hydrogen charging device also includes a housing 50 and a clamp 51 disposed inside the housing 50 to fix the solid hydrogen storage bottle 102 in order to ensure stability during the hydrogen charging process. The heat exchange box is located outside the clamp 51.

[0051] In summary, the hydrogen filling device for solid hydrogen storage cylinders of this application realizes the automatic hydrogen filling operation of solid hydrogen storage cylinder 102 through integrated and intelligent modules, replacing the manual hydrogen filling mode and improving the efficiency and safety of solid hydrogen filling.

[0052] It should be understood that although this specification describes embodiments, not every embodiment contains only one independent technical solution. This way of describing the specification is only for clarity. Those skilled in the art should regard the specification as a whole. The technical solutions in each embodiment can also be appropriately combined to form other embodiments that can be understood by those skilled in the art.

[0053] The detailed descriptions listed above are merely specific illustrations of feasible embodiments of this application and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. All equivalent embodiments or modifications made without departing from the spirit of the art of this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A hydrogen filling device for a solid hydrogen storage cylinder, characterized in that, The hydrogen charging device includes: The gas delivery module includes a main pipeline connected to a hydrogen source, several auxiliary pipelines respectively connected to the main pipeline for connecting to a solid hydrogen storage cylinder, a pressure reducing valve and a mass flow meter installed on the main pipeline, and a solenoid valve installed on each of the auxiliary pipelines, wherein the mass flow meter is located on the rear side of the pressure reducing valve along the gas delivery direction. The temperature control module includes a refrigeration system and a heat exchange box connected to the refrigeration system for cooling the solid hydrogen storage cylinder. The mass flow meter, solenoid valve, and refrigeration system are all communicatively connected to the control module.

2. The hydrogen filling device for a solid hydrogen storage cylinder as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The auxiliary pipeline includes a main line and a branch line connected in parallel to the main line. The solenoid valve is located on the main line, and the branch line has an outlet for connecting to a solid hydrogen storage cylinder.

3. The hydrogen filling device for a solid hydrogen storage cylinder as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The gas delivery module also includes a first pressure display and a second pressure display for displaying the hydrogen pressure in the main pipeline. The first pressure display is located in front of the pressure reducing valve along the gas delivery direction, and the second pressure display is located behind the pressure reducing valve along the gas delivery direction and in front of the mass flow meter.

4. The hydrogen filling device for a solid hydrogen storage cylinder as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The gas transmission module also includes a pressure sensor installed on the main pipeline. The pressure sensor is located on the front side of the auxiliary pipeline along the gas transmission direction, and the pressure sensor is communicatively connected to the control module.

5. The hydrogen filling device for a solid hydrogen storage cylinder as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The gas delivery module also includes a buffer tank installed on the main pipeline, the buffer tank being located between the mass flow meter and the pressure sensor.

6. The hydrogen filling device for a solid hydrogen storage cylinder as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The temperature control module also includes a temperature sensor for monitoring the temperature of the heat exchange box, and the temperature sensor is communicatively connected to the control module.

7. The hydrogen filling device for a solid hydrogen storage cylinder as described in claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a gas sensor installed above the gas delivery module, which is communicatively connected to the control module.

8. The hydrogen filling device for a solid hydrogen storage cylinder as described in claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes an alarm system that is communicatively connected to the control module, the alarm system having a high alarm level and a low alarm level.

9. The hydrogen filling device for a solid hydrogen storage cylinder as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, It also includes a vacuum system for extracting air from the main pipeline and auxiliary pipeline, the vacuum system being installed at the end of the main pipeline furthest from the hydrogen source.

10. The hydrogen filling device for a solid hydrogen storage cylinder as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, It also includes a housing and a clamp disposed inside the housing to fix the solid hydrogen storage cylinder, with the heat exchange box located outside the clamp.

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