Method and system for providing medium

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for providing a medium (M), in particular hydrogen, wherein the medium (M) is fed from a first medium storage device (111) via a plurality of supply paths (120.1, 120.2) to a second medium storage device (112), wherein the medium (M) is fed from the second medium storage device (112) to one or more dispensers (140.1, 140.2) for providing the medium, in particular for filling a vehicle (190.1, 190.2), wherein medium is fed in each of the plurality of supply paths in each case by means of a conveying unit (121.1, 121.2) from the first medium storage device (11) via a respective first heat exchanger (131.1, 131.2) to the second medium storage device (112), and wherein each of the first heat exchangers (131.1, 131.2) is supplied via a common first coolant storage device (151) with a first, in particular liquid, cooling medium (K1). The invention also relates to a system (100) therefor, and to the use thereof.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Procedure and system for providing media

[0003] The invention relates to a method for providing a medium, in particular hydrogen, and in particular to heat management. The invention also relates to a corresponding system, in particular a hydrogen filling station, and to the use of such a system.

[0004] Hydrogen, which is used, for example, as a fuel for vehicles, can be provided via so-called hydrogen filling stations. A hydrogen filling station typically consists of two system areas. The first system area concerns the compression of the hydrogen, its storage, conditioning, and cooling. The second system area comprises a dispenser and the associated refueling equipment, such as a breakaway and refueling coupling, as well as the refueling hose.

[0005] A particular challenge in such a hydrogen filling station, or other media supply systems, is often heat management.

[0006] Disclosure of the invention

[0007] This object is achieved by a method and a system for providing a medium, as well as a use of the system, having the features of the independent patent claims. Preferred embodiments are the subject of the dependent patent claims and the following description.

[0008] Advantages of the invention

[0009] The invention relates to the provision of a medium, in particular hydrogen, as is the case, for example, at hydrogen filling stations. A method and a system for providing a medium are described below. The invention is primarily described with reference to hydrogen as a medium, using the example of a hydrogen filling station. However, it should be noted that the method and the system also apply to other media, in particular gases or (initially) liquefied gases. Examples of suitable media include:

[0010] Oxygen or nitrogen come into consideration, especially their temperature control with further use of the released heat energy.

[0011] A basic structure of such a system is such that the system has a first media storage device, e.g., a storage tank for liquefied medium or hydrogen, a second media storage device, e.g., one or more high-pressure accumulators, and a dispenser. A conveying unit, such as a pump, in particular a cryopump, can then be provided, by means of which the medium is fed from the first media storage device to the second media storage device. From there, the medium can then be fed to the dispenser in order to dispense the medium or hydrogen to a vehicle (or other consumer), e.g., during a refueling process.

[0012] As already mentioned, heat management (or thermal management) is a key aspect of such a system and its operation, especially for operating the system as efficiently and energy-efficiently as possible. Heat management ensures, for example, that the medium, e.g., compressed hydrogen, can be fed into the vehicles at a controlled temperature of, for example, down to -40°C. Furthermore, heat management can be used to cool various components. The required cooling capacity is recovered primarily from the medium, or hydrogen, itself.

[0013] Hydrogen is usually stored in liquid form in the first media storage device at a pressure of around 3 bar. Under these conditions, however, the hydrogen has a very low temperature of, for example, around -253 °C. For media other than hydrogen, the exact conditions such as temperature and pressure can be different. Before buffering in the second media storage device, the medium or the hydrogen must therefore usually first be heated to a higher temperature, e.g. room temperature. For this purpose, a first heat exchanger (or heat transferer), preferably also a second heat exchanger, can be provided, via which the medium or the hydrogen is fed from the first media storage device to the second media storage device by means of the feed unit. In the first heat exchanger, the medium is fed by means of a first coolant from a first coolant storage device (e.g. a coolant container, a so-calledcold coolant tank), in the case of hydrogen, for example, to approx. -90°C. As it flows through the first heat exchanger, the first coolant then cools down, in this case, to approx. -43°C, for example, and thus recovers the cold thermal energy of the hydrogen for further internal use. In the second heat exchanger, the medium is heated by a second coolant from a second coolant storage device (e.g. a coolant tank, a so-called warm coolant tank), in the case of hydrogen, for example, to room temperature. Further cold thermal energy is recovered so that the second coolant storage device can be kept at approx. 20°C, for example. The second (or warm) coolant can be reused in the process to cool components such as the delivery unit, e.g. the electrically or hydraulically driven pump or cryopump (compressor). The first (orA (cold) coolant can be used to cool the then warm compressed hydrogen (or another medium) from the second media storage device in the dispenser (or a fuel pump for vehicle refueling). A dispenser heat exchanger can be provided for this purpose, e.g., as part of the dispenser.

[0014] The combination of the various media streams and the resulting recovery of cold thermal energy enables a high overall thermal efficiency. Furthermore, the installation of an additional chiller to cool the warm hydrogen to the desired refueling temperature at the pump is eliminated. This increases the overall efficiency of the system by reducing power consumption.

[0015] However, the use of only one dispenser and only one pump in the system only allows for a limited throughput of medium. To increase the throughput of such a system (e.g., a hydrogen filling station), multiple delivery units can be used to supply the medium from the first media storage device to the second media storage device. For this purpose, multiple supply paths, each with one of the multiple delivery units, can be provided. Furthermore, instead of just one, multiple dispensers can be provided, which can then be adequately supplied, especially with multiple supply paths.

[0016] This would then involve a multiple compression system operating in parallel, allowing for high availability and flexibility. However, the thermal management system described above is tailored to a single conveying unit; while simply using the described thermal management system multiple times for each of the multiple supply paths would generally allow the system to operate, it leaves room for efficiency improvements and can also lead to certain problems.

[0017] Against this background, it is proposed that a delivery unit such as a pump (e.g. a cryopump or a compressor) and a first heat exchanger, in one embodiment also a second heat exchanger, be provided for each of the multiple supply paths. However, (only) a common first coolant storage device with a first cooling medium is provided for the multiple supply paths, wherein each of the first heat exchangers is supplied with the first cooling medium via the first coolant storage device. In the case of second heat exchangers, (only) a common second coolant storage device with a second cooling medium is provided for the multiple supply paths, wherein each of the second heat exchangers is supplied with the second cooling medium via the second coolant storage device.

[0018] The first coolant storage device can then continue to supply one or each of the multiple dispenser heat exchangers with the first cooling medium. The second cooling medium from the second cooling device can also be used to cool one or more other components, such as the conveyor units.

[0019] The use of the shared (or combined) first coolant storage device and, in particular, the shared (or combined) second coolant storage device for all individual supply paths with the delivery units ensures that all individual pumps can be thermally connected to one another without any problems. At the same time, the effort required for mechanical interconnection is significantly reduced compared to the use of several individual first or second coolant storage devices (e.g., coolant tanks), as no valve blocks are required. Furthermore, there is no need for a complex overfill monitoring and protection concept with complex control software. All these measures ensure that every Dipsenser connected to the system is available at all times and independently of the operation of an individual delivery unit.

[0020] The use of the shared first coolant storage device minimizes the ambient heat input into the first coolant circuit with the first coolant, since the total surface area exposed to the environment is significantly reduced by using the shared first coolant storage device instead of several small, interconnected coolant storage devices or containers. This increases the overall thermal efficiency of the system. Any remaining, small heat input can be compensated for by the aforementioned cooling device, e.g., an integrated small cooling unit. This ensures, on the one hand, that the shared first coolant storage device can be kept at a constant temperature, regardless of the operation of the delivery units. This enables the medium to be provided as needed, e.g., by refueling.On the other hand, the overall consumption of the medium, especially liquefied hydrogen, is reduced because the recurrent operation of the pumps is no longer required to maintain the temperature of the first (cold) coolant. This increases the overall performance and efficiency of the system.

[0021] The use of the common first coolant storage device and also the common second coolant storage device also reduces the total area of ​​the system, e.g. the space required by the hydrogen filling station, in particular compared to the use of several individual first or second coolant storage devices.

[0022] The first cooling medium and / or the second cooling medium are preferably each a liquid cooling medium, i.e. a cooling liquid. The first or second heat exchanger is then accordingly configured to transfer thermal energy between the medium (e.g. hydrogen) and the liquid first or second cooling medium. In cryogenics, so-called finned heat exchangers (or generally air-to-medium heat exchangers or heat exchangers) can often be used, which evaporate or heat the cryogenic medium by introducing heat from the environment. Due to the limited heat transfer on the air side, these typically have to be designed very large. In addition, the fins can freeze, which usually results in a redundant design of such finned heat exchangers. The use of a liquid cooling medium or accordingly configured heat exchangers or heat exchangers, i.e. so-called coolant-to-medium heat exchangers or-Heat exchanger improves heat transfer compared to the use of air (or other gaseous cooling medium) and at the same time eliminates the need for redundant design.

[0023] The invention is illustrated schematically in the drawing using an embodiment and is described below with reference to the drawing.

[0024] Short description of the drawing

[0025] Figure 1 shows schematically a system according to the invention in a preferred embodiment.

[0026] Detailed description of the drawing

[0027] Figure 1 schematically illustrates a preferred embodiment of a system 100 according to the invention, in which a method according to the invention can also be carried out. System 100 serves to provide a medium, e.g., hydrogen. For example, the system is a hydrogen filling station.

[0028] The system has a first media storage device 111, a second media storage device 112 and, for example, two dispensers 140.1, 140.2. The first media storage device 111 can in particular be a storage tank for liquefied medium M such as liquefied hydrogen or other liquefied gas. Hydrogen can be stored there, for example, at approximately 3 bar and -253°C. The second media storage device 112 can be a high-pressure storage device and can, for example, have one or more high-pressure accumulators, in particular for gaseous medium, e.g. hydrogen; for example, the second media storage device 112 has two high-pressure accumulators 112.1, 112.2 which can be operated in parallel.

[0029] Each of the exemplary two dispensers 140.1, 140.2 is supplied with medium, e.g. hydrogen, from the second media storage device 112, ie the hydrogen is supplied to the dispensers from the second media storage device 112. The dispenser 140.1 has, for example, a dispenser heat exchanger

[0030] 141.1 and a refueling interface 142.1. By means of the dispenser heat exchanger 141.1, the medium can be cooled to a desired or required temperature, such as that required for a refueling process. A connection to a vehicle 190.1 to be refueled or its tank can be established via the refueling interface 142.1, for example. It is understood that the dispenser 140.1 may also have other components that are necessary for a refueling process, but which are not relevant here. The dispenser

[0031] 140.2 has, for example, a dispenser heat exchanger 141.2 and a refueling interface 142.2 in order to be able to refuel a vehicle 190.2. The functionality of the dispenser 140.2 can correspond to that of the dispenser 140.1. The system 100 is therefore configured to supply the medium M from the second media storage device 112 to each of the plurality of dispensers 140.1, 140.2. It is understood that further dispensers of this type (or of a different type) could also be provided, which could then also be supplied with medium from the second media storage device 112 and can be provided for refueling a vehicle. It is understood that if necessary, for example, only one of the two dispensers shown can be used, e.g. if one of the dispensers is defective, requires maintenance, or is not to be used for other reasons. Likewise, if more than two dispensers are used, any subset of them can also be used.

[0032] Furthermore, the system 100 comprises a plurality of supply paths, for example two supply paths 120.1, 120.2. A supply path can be understood in particular as a separate connection between the first media storage device 111 and the second media storage device 112, via which medium can be supplied from the first media storage device 111 to the second media storage device 112. Each supply path can be operated independently of the others. For each of the plurality of supply paths, the system 100 has a conveying unit, e.g. a pump, in particular a cryopump, a first heat exchanger and, in one embodiment, also a second heat exchanger. In the example shown, the supply path 120.1 has a conveying unit 121.1, a first heat exchanger 131.1 and a second heat exchanger 132.1. By means of the conveying unit 121.1, medium M can be supplied from the first media storage device 111 via the first heat exchanger 131.1 and subsequently the second heat exchanger 132.1 to the second media storage device 112. Furthermore, in the example shown, the supply path 120.2 has a conveying unit 121.2, a first heat exchanger 131.2, and a second heat exchanger 132.2. By means of the conveying unit 121.2, medium M can be supplied from the first media storage device 111 via the first heat exchanger 131.2 and subsequently the second heat exchanger.

[0033] 132.2 of the second media storage device 112. Both supply paths 120.1, 120.2 can thus, in particular, be constructed similarly and can also be used in parallel and in a similar manner. It is understood that further supply paths of this type could also be provided, which could then also be similar and parallel to the supply paths shown.

[0034] The system 100 is configured to supply the medium M from the first media storage device 111 via each of the plurality of supply paths 120.1,

[0035] 120.2, respectively, to the second media storage device 112 as described. It is understood that, if necessary, only one of the two supply paths shown can be used, e.g., if one of the supply paths is defective, requires maintenance, or should not be used for other reasons. Likewise, if more than two supply paths are available, any subset of them can be used.

[0036] Furthermore, the system 100 has a common first coolant storage device 151 with a first cooling medium K1 for the multiple supply paths, here the two supply paths 120.1, 120.2. The first coolant storage device 112 can be, for example, a coolant tank. The system 100 is configured to supply each of the first heat exchangers, in this case the first heat exchangers 131.1, 131.2, with the first cooling medium K1 via the first coolant storage device 151. This is to be understood in particular that the first cooling medium K1 is passed through each of the first heat exchangers 131.1, 131.2 in order to heat the medium M, which is also passed or guided through each of the first heat exchangers 131.1, 131.2, to a desired temperature, as already described above. Hydrogen as a medium can be heated to approx. -90°C, for example, whereby the first cooling medium K1 cools down to approx. -43°C.As is usual in a heat exchanger, heat transfer takes place. As already mentioned, a liquid first cooling medium is preferred. For example, mixtures of water and antifreeze such as glycol (e.g., ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, and the like) or salts (e.g., potassium formate or similar) are suitable.

[0037] In one embodiment, the system 100 is also configured to supply each of the plurality of dispenser heat exchangers, here the dispenser heat exchangers 141.1, 141.2, with the first cooling medium K1 via the first coolant storage device 151. This also means, in particular, that the first cooling medium K1 is passed through each of the dispenser heat exchangers 141.1, 141.2 in order to cool the medium M, which is also passed or guided through each of the dispenser heat exchangers 141.1, 141.2, as already described above, to a desired temperature for refueling. Hydrogen as the medium can be cooled to approximately -40°C, for example. As is usual in a heat exchanger, heat transfer takes place.

[0038] In one embodiment, the system 100 also includes a cooling device 153, by means of which the first cooling medium K1 is cooled in the first coolant storage device 151. The cooling device 153 can, for example, be an integrated small cooling unit with which any remaining, small heat input, e.g., from the environment, can be compensated.

[0039] Furthermore, in one embodiment, the system 100 has a common second coolant storage device 152 with a second cooling medium K2 for the multiple supply paths, here the two supply paths 120.1, 120.2. The second coolant storage device 152 can be, for example, a coolant tank. The system 100 is configured to supply each of the second heat exchangers, in this case the second heat exchangers 132.1, 132.2, with the second cooling medium K2 via the second coolant storage device 152. This is to be understood in particular that the second cooling medium K2 is passed through each of the second heat exchangers 132.1, 132.2 in order to heat the medium M, which is also passed or guided through each of the second heat exchangers 132.1, 132.2, to a desired temperature, as already described above.

[0040] Hydrogen as the medium can be heated to approximately room temperature, for example; the second cooling medium K2 can be kept at approximately 20°C, for example. Heat transfer occurs, as is usual in a heat exchanger. As already mentioned, a liquid second cooling medium is preferred.

[0041] For example, mixtures of water and antifreeze such as glycol (e.g. ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, and the like) or salts (e.g. potassium formate or similar) are suitable.

[0042] For both the first and the second cooling medium, so-called coolants are used as the cooling medium, which have the lowest possible lower operating temperature.

[0043] In one embodiment, the system 100 is also configured to use the second cooling medium K2 from the second cooling device 152 to cool one or more additional components; such components are designated here by 160 by way of example and representatively. Thus, the components, for example, the conveyor units 121.1, 121.2 or parts thereof (e.g., electronics, hydraulics) can be efficiently cooled in this way.

Claims

Patent claims 1 . Method for providing a medium (M), in particular hydrogen, wherein the medium (M) is supplied from a first media storage device (111) via a plurality of supply paths (120.1, 120.2) to a second media storage device (112), wherein the medium (M) is supplied from the second media storage device (112) to one or more dispensers (140.1, 140.2) for providing the medium, in particular for refueling a vehicle (190.1, 190.2), wherein in each of the plurality of supply paths, medium is supplied from the first media storage device (11) via a respective first heat exchanger (131.1, 131.2) to the second media storage device (112) by means of a conveying unit (121.1, 121.2), and wherein each of the first heat exchangers (131.1, 131.2) is supplied with a first, in particular liquid, cooling medium (K1).

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the medium (M) is supplied from the second media storage device (112) via a dispenser heat exchanger to one or via one of a plurality of dispenser heat exchangers (141.1, 141.2) to the plurality of dispensers for provision.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the one or each of the plurality of dispenser heat exchangers (141.1, 141.2) is further supplied with the first cooling medium (K1) via the first coolant storage device (151).

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first cooling medium (K1) in the first coolant storage device (151) is further cooled by means of a cooling device (153).

5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in each of the plurality of supply paths (120.1, 120.2) medium is conveyed by means of the conveying unit from the first media storage device (111) via the respective first heat exchanger (131.1, 131.2) and subsequently a respective second Heat exchanger (132.1, 132.2) is supplied to the second media storage device (112), and wherein each of the second heat exchangers (132.1, 132.2) is supplied with a second, in particular liquid, cooling medium (K2) via a common second coolant storage device (152).

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the second cooling medium (K2) from the second cooling device is further used to cool one or more further components, in particular the conveyor units.

7. The method according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the first cooling medium (K1) is used at a lower temperature than the second cooling medium (K2).

8. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the medium (M) is stored in the first storage device (111) in liquefied form.

9. Process according to one of the preceding claims, wherein hydrogen is used as medium (M).

10. Plant (100) for providing a medium (M), in particular hydrogen, wherein the plant (100) comprises a first media storage device (111), a second media storage device (112) and one or more dispensers (140.1, 140.2), wherein the system (100) comprises a plurality of supply paths (120.1, 120.2) and for each of the plurality of supply paths a conveyor unit (121.1, 121.2) and a first heat exchanger, wherein the system (100) is configured to supply the medium from the first media storage device (111) via each of the plurality of supply paths by means of the conveyor unit via the respective first heat exchanger to the second media storage device (112), wherein the system (100) is configured to supply the medium from the second media storage device (112) to one or each of the plurality of dispensers (140.1, 140.2) for provision, in particular for refueling a vehicle, wherein the system (100) has a common first coolant storage device (151) with a first, in particular liquid, cooling medium for the plurality of supply paths, and wherein the system is configured to supply each of the first heat exchangers with the first cooling medium via the first coolant storage device.

11. System (100) according to claim 10, which further comprises a second heat exchanger (132.1, 132.2) for each of the plurality of supply paths, wherein the system (100) is configured to supply the medium from the first media storage device via each of the plurality of supply paths by means of the conveying unit via the first heat exchanger and subsequently the second heat exchanger to the second media storage device, wherein the system (100) has a common second coolant storage device (152) with a second, in particular liquid, coolant for the plurality of supply paths, and wherein the system is configured to supply each of the second heat exchangers with the second coolant via the second coolant storage device.

12. Plant (100) according to claim 10 or 11, which is arranged to carry out a method according to one of claims 1 to 9.

13. Plant (100) according to one of claims 10 to 12, which is designed as a hydrogen filling station.

14. Use of a system (100) according to one of claims 10 to 12 for refueling a vehicle with hydrogen as a medium.

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