Liquid hydrogen delivery method

Abstract

A method for delivering liquid hydrogen, from at least one target tank, in a system comprising the target tank, at least one liquid hydrogen source such as a liquefier, and at least one intermediate tank intended to be supplied by the source and intended to deliver liquid hydrogen to the target tank, the method comprising the following steps: determining an initial state vector relative to an initial state of the system; determining initial performance information, from a performance estimation model and the initial state vector; determining configuration information of the target tank, from a configuration estimation model and the initial performance information; configuring the target tank, from the configuration information, to enable the target tank to be in a predetermined thermodynamic state during the delivery of liquid hydrogen by the intermediate tank.Abbreviated figure: Fig. 1.

Description

Title of the invention: Method for delivering liquid hydrogen

[0001] The present invention relates to a method of delivering liquid hydrogen, in particular in the context of distributing liquid hydrogen from a source to a target reservoir.

[0002] A cryogenic liquid, in particular liquid hydrogen, is produced at a production site, thereby forming a cryogenic liquid source such as a liquid hydrogen source. The cryogenic liquid can also be stored in a storage tank as a source.

[0003] The storage tank may be located at the production site or at a remote site. The cryogenic liquid is then distributed to users in at least one target tank. Most frequently, intermediate tanks are filled from the source to fill the target tank.

[0004] The target tank may be fixed or mobile. A mobile target tank may be moved, or may move itself, to a distribution site where it will be filled with cryogenic liquid from an intermediate tank.

[0005] An intermediate tank is understood to be any tank, mobile or fixed, of cryogenic liquid which is filled at a production or storage site, and from which the filling of the target tank is carried out.

[0006] Examples of production or storage sites include liquefaction plants and / or depot sites where the cryogenic liquid is stored in tanks. Examples of distribution sites include vehicle fuel tank filling sites, such as fuel stations for land vehicles, train stations and airports, boat and ship fuel tank filling sites, and industrial sites where the cryogenic liquid is used for site operation or maintenance.

[0007] Particular constraints arise in the case of liquid hydrogen. In particular, the desire to use it as a fuel, in order to address the challenges of climate change, leads to specific constraints related to its characteristics and its use.

[0008] The main problems that arise are related to the cryogenic nature of liquid hydrogen and the retention time for cryogenic liquid reservoirs, especially mobile ones.

[0009] A cryogenic fluid contained in a cryogenic tank receives energy from the external environment, which is at a higher temperature than the temperature of the cryogenic fluid, particularly in the form of heat inputs. Because of these heat inputs to the intermediate tanks and / or the tanks At the targets, some of the cryogenic liquid evaporates and generates boil-off gas (BOG). Over time, the generation of this boil-off gas leads to a decrease in the cryogenic liquid level in the tank, as well as an increase in the pressure and temperature of the cryogenic liquid within these tanks.

[0010] This can pose a problem for ensuring that target tanks are filled under good conditions, i.e., under thermodynamic conditions allowing the exploitation and use of the greatest quantity of the cryogenic liquid, ideally all of it.

[0011] A known solution for the distribution of liquid hydrogen consists of increasing or decreasing the pressure of the intermediate tank, just before a delivery from a target tank, so that it is compatible with a process of filling the target tank.

[0012] It is known to distribute liquid hydrogen in delivery systems where the intermediate tank adapts to the thermodynamic conditions of the target tank during delivery. One problem with this known solution is that the liquid hydrogen is then delivered under conditions, particularly thermodynamic ones, that are not optimal with respect to the intended use of the target tank by the operator. This leads to the loss of hydrogen, which is often released into the atmosphere, potentially causing problems, especially in the presence of an explosive atmosphere.

[0013] A further problem arises when a single intermediate tank supplies several target tanks. Adapting the intermediate tank to the conditions of a first target tank can then prevent or complicate the adaptation of the same intermediate tank to the conditions of a second target tank, thus causing an increase in the amount of hydrogen lost.

[0014] A solution for improving the safety of a liquid hydrogen system by modifying the parameters of the intermediate tank is also known from documents US2022 / 170597 and US11796132. Again, the target tank is considered a given and immutable element, while the conditions, particularly thermodynamic conditions, of the intermediate tank are adapted to the needs of the other elements of the system.

[0015] This type of solution does not optimize the thermodynamic conditions of the liquid hydrogen delivered to the target tank and / or the quality of the liquid hydrogen delivered to the target tank. This results in a loss of molecules and / or venting that potentially poses risks, particularly related to explosive atmospheres.

[0016] The present invention aims to effectively remedy all or part of these drawbacks by proposing a method for delivering liquid hydrogen, from at least one target tank, in a system comprising the target tank, at least one source of liquid hydrogen such as a liquefier, and at least one intermediate tank intended to be supplied by the source and intended to deliver the target tank with liquid hydrogen, the method comprising the following steps.

[0017] Determination of an initial state vector relative to an initial state of the system.

[0018] Determination of initial performance information, from a model performance estimation and initial state vector.

[0019] Determination of target tank configuration information, from a configuration estimation model and initial performance information.

[0020] Target tank configuration, based on configuration information, to enable the target tank to be in a predetermined thermodynamic state during liquid hydrogen delivery from the intermediate tank.

[0021] The invention thus makes it possible, by adapting the target tank to the conditions of the intermediate tank before delivery, to preserve the most favorable possible conditions of the liquid contained in the intermediate tank, to allow optimized use of the target tank and to limit the impacts on the environment.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the initial state vector includes at least one piece of information relating to a thermodynamic parameter of the target tank, for example, information on the pressure and / or temperature of the hydrogen in the target tank.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the intermediate tank is a mobile tank and the target tank is a fixed tank, in particular intended to supply a hydrogen consumer.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the initial performance information includes an initial performance level and the process further includes the following steps.

[0025] Determination, in particular dynamic, of an updated state vector relating to an updated state of the system.

[0026] Determination of updated performance information, from the performance estimation model and the updated state vector, the updated performance information having an updated performance level.

[0027] Optionally, adjustment of the configuration estimation model and / or the performance estimation model, from the initial state vector and / or the updated state vector, in particular if a difference between the initial performance level and the updated performance level is greater than a first determined threshold.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the process includes the following additional steps.

[0029] Determination of updated configuration information from the updated state vector and the adjusted configuration estimation model.

[0030] Target tank configuration, based on updated configuration information.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the configuration information includes a parameter for adjusting the pressure of a vent in the target tank and / or the temperature of the liquid contained in the target tank.

[0032] According to one embodiment, the configuration estimation model incorporates a first parameter for drawing from the target tank before and / or during and / or after delivery.

[0033] According to one embodiment, the step of determining the configuration information of the target tank includes the following substeps.

[0034] Determination of a plurality of performance information corresponding to a plurality of possible configuration information.

[0035] Selection of configuration information from among the plurality of possible configuration information.

[0036] According to one embodiment, the configuration information is determined before delivery of the target tank, and / or recurrently over a predetermined period of time.

[0037] According to one embodiment, at least one of the performance estimation model and the configuration estimation model incorporates aging and / or maintenance parameters of the target tank and / or the intermediate tank.

[0038] According to one embodiment, initial state information, performance information and configuration information are stored in one or more databases.

[0039] According to one embodiment, the configuration estimation model takes into account a target tank withdrawal parameter, in particular a parameter representative of the pressure and / or temperature and / or flow rate at which the liquid is withdrawn from the target tank during its use.

[0040] According to one embodiment, the configuration estimation model includes a performance information comparison model.

[0041] According to one embodiment, the process includes a step of updating the performance estimation model.

[0042] According to one embodiment, the steps of determining an updated state vector, determining updated performance information, and adjusting the configuration estimation model are executed following at least one of the following events: a decision by an operator, the occurrence of a maintenance operation, modification and / or addition of one of the elements of the system, the verification of a predetermined condition, in particular the elapsed of a predetermined time.

[0043] The invention further relates to a method of delivering liquid hydrogen, to at least one target tank, in a system comprising the target tank, at least one source of liquid hydrogen such as a liquefier, and at least one intermediate tank intended to be supplied by the source and intended to deliver the target tank with liquid hydrogen, the method comprising the following steps.

[0044] Determination of an initial state vector relative to an initial state of the system.

[0045] Determination of delivery plan information to deliver liquid hydrogen to the target tank by means of the intermediate tank, the delivery plan information being determined from a delivery plan generation model and the initial state vector.

[0046] Determination of initial performance information, from a performance estimation model, delivery plan information and the initial state vector, the initial performance information comprising an initial performance level.

[0047] Implementation of at least part of the delivery plan, to deliver liquid hydrogen to the target tank by means of the intermediate tank.

[0048] Dynamic determination, in particular during the execution of the delivery plan: - of an updated state vector of the system relating to an updated state of the system; - updated performance information, from the performance estimation model, delivery plan information and the updated state vector, the updated performance information including an updated performance level.

[0049] Dynamic adjustment of delivery plan information, particularly during the execution of the delivery plan, from the delivery plan generation model and the updated state vector, if a gap between the initial performance level and the updated performance level is greater than a first determined threshold.

[0050] The invention thus makes it possible to deliver liquid hydrogen under better thermodynamic conditions, therefore allowing optimized exploitation of the target reservoir and limiting the impacts on the environment.

[0051] For example, when the gas pressure in a tank becomes too high, it is essential to vent some of this gas to the atmosphere to return to an acceptable pressure level. This process avoids releasing hydrogen into the atmosphere due to unnecessary heating of the liquid, thus ensuring that every hydrogen molecule is delivered.

[0052] According to one embodiment, the method includes a step of dynamically adjusting the delivery plan generation model from the initial state vector and / or the updated state vector.

[0053] According to one embodiment, the method includes a step of dynamically adjusting the performance estimation model from the initial state vector and / or the updated state vector.

[0054] According to one embodiment, the initial state vector and / or the updated state vector includes at least one piece of information relating to the filling level and one piece of information relating to a thermodynamic parameter of the target tank, for example, information on the pressure and / or temperature of the hydrogen in the target tank.

[0055] According to one embodiment, the initial state vector and / or the updated state vector includes information relating to a liquid hydrogen requirement of the target reservoir.

[0056] According to one embodiment, the delivery plan information includes a plurality of tasks, including sequential ones, each task including at least one of the following: a movement of the intermediate tank, in particular to a determined location, a movement of the target tank, in particular to a determined location, a delivery of the target tank, a filling of the intermediate tank.

[0057] According to one embodiment, the delivery plan information defines an order in which the same intermediate tank successively delivers a plurality of target tanks.

[0058] According to one embodiment, steps b) and c) are repeated as long as the initial performance level is below a determined level.

[0059] According to one embodiment, the intermediate tank is mobile and the target tank is fixed, in particular intended to supply a hydrogen consumer.

[0060] According to one embodiment, the initial performance information and / or the updated performance information includes at least: a distance traveled by the intermediate tank, a difference between a quantity of hydrogen requested by the customer for filling the target tank and a quantity of hydrogen actually delivered by the intermediate tank, a ratio between a quantity of hydrogen contained in the intermediate tank before the execution of the delivery plan and the actual quantity of hydrogen delivered by the intermediate tank after the execution of the plan.

[0061] According to one embodiment, the target tank includes at least one communicating sensor, in particular for measuring the filling level and / or a thermodynamic parameter of the target tank, for example, pressure and / or temperature information of the hydrogen in the target tank.

[0062] According to one embodiment, the intermediate tank includes at least one communicating sensor, in particular for measuring the filling level and / or a thermodynamic parameter of the intermediate tank, for example, pressure and / or temperature information of the hydrogen in the intermediate tank.

[0063] According to one embodiment, the target reservoir is fixed or mobile.

[0064] According to one embodiment, the intermediate reservoir is fixed or mobile.

[0065] The invention may also relate to any alternative method comprising any combination of the above or below features, particularly within the scope of the claims.

[0066] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description and examining the accompanying figures. These figures are given only to illustrate, but in no way limit, the invention.

[0067] [Fig-1] is a schematic and partial representation of a system for implementing a method according to the invention.

[0068] [Fig.2] is a schematic and partial representation of a method according to the invention.

[0069] [Fig.3] is a schematic and partial representation of a relationship between a performance information and configuration information during the implementation of a process according to the invention.

[0070] As illustrated in [Fig. 1], the method according to the invention can be implemented in a system comprising a target tank 4, at least one liquid hydrogen source 2, and at least one intermediate tank 3. The source 2 can, for example, be a hydrogen liquefier or a fixed or mobile liquid hydrogen storage unit. The intermediate tank 3 is intended to be supplied by the source 2 and to deliver liquid hydrogen to the target tank 4.

[0071] The system may advantageously include a data acquisition and processing system, comprising in particular a telecommunications infrastructure and a computing system. This data acquisition and processing system preferably includes at least one microprocessor.

[0072] An example of a method according to the invention is illustrated in [Fig.2]. The method allows the delivery 151, 152, of liquid hydrogen, to at least one target reservoir 4, and comprises the following steps, which may be successive.

[0073] Determination 110 of an initial state vector relating to an initial state of the system. This vector may include, in particular, information on the target tank 4, the intermediate tank 3, the delivery plan for the intermediate tank, the road network, ...

[0074] Determination 120 of initial performance information 20, from a performance estimation model and the initial state vector.

[0075] Determination 130 of configuration information 30 of the target tank 4, from a configuration estimation model and initial performance information 20.

[0076] Configuration 140 of target tank 4, from configuration information 30, to enable target tank 4 to be in a predetermined thermodynamic state during delivery 151, 152 of liquid hydrogen by intermediate tank 3.

[0077] Thus, during delivery 151, 152 the thermodynamic conditions of the liquid contained in the intermediate reservoir 3 are preserved, and delivery 151, 152 of the target reservoir 4 will be optimized.

[0078] According to one embodiment, the initial state vector includes at least one piece of information relating to a thermodynamic parameter of the target tank 4, for example, information on the pressure and / or temperature of the hydrogen in the target tank 4.

[0079] According to one embodiment, the process is implemented using an intermediate tank 3 which is a mobile tank and a target tank 4 which is a fixed tank.

[0080] The target tank 4 may, in particular, be intended to supply a hydrogen consumer. For example, the target tank 4 may be the liquid hydrogen storage of a vehicle refueling station, or the liquid hydrogen storage of an industrial consumer site.

[0081] According to one embodiment, the initial performance information includes an initial performance level and the process further includes the following steps.

[0082] Determination 110, in particular dynamic, of an updated state vector relating to an updated state of the system.

[0083] Determination 120 of updated performance information 20, from the performance estimation model and the updated state vector. The updated performance information advantageously includes an updated performance level.

[0084] Optionally, adjustment 160 of the configuration estimation model and / or the performance estimation model, based on the initial state vector and / or the updated state vector. This adjustment step 160 is performed in particular if a difference between the initial performance level 20 and the updated performance level 20 is greater than a first determined threshold.

[0085] According to one embodiment, the process includes the following additional steps.

[0086] Determination 130 of updated configuration information 30 from the updated state vector and the adjusted configuration estimation model.

[0087] Configuration 140 of the target tank, from the updated configuration information.

[0088] Thus the thermodynamic state of the target tank 4 can subsequently be adapted to a change of state of the system and the delivery 151, 152 of liquid hydrogen by the intermediate tank 3 subsequently improved.

[0089] According to one embodiment, the configuration information 30 includes a parameter for adjusting the pressure of a vent of the target tank 4 and / or the temperature of the liquid contained in the target tank 4.

[0090] According to one embodiment, the configuration estimation model 30 incorporates a first withdrawal parameter from the target tank 4 before and / or during and / or after delivery 151, 152.

[0091] According to one embodiment, the step 130 of determining the configuration information of the target tank 4 comprises the following substeps.

[0092] Determination 131 of a plurality of performance information 20, corresponding to a plurality of possible configuration information 31.

[0093] Selection 132 of configuration information 32 from the plurality of possible configuration information 31.

[0094] In particular, the configuration information applied in step 140 is a subset of the configuration information 32 that enables system performance.

[0095] The performance information 20 may include performance information relating to a first and a second quantity, in particular physical quantities. These may include, for example, the quantity of hydrogen vented by the user of the target tank 4, the quantity of hydrogen vented by the operator of the intermediate tank 3, and / or the flow rate of a pump used to draw liquid hydrogen from the target tank 4.

[0096] The selection step 132 can then consist of selecting configuration information 32 that optimizes the performance information 21 concerning the second quantity, from among possible configuration information 31 that corresponds to acceptable values ​​of the performance information 20 concerning the first quantity. The principle is illustrated schematically in [Fig. 3].

[0097] According to one embodiment, the configuration information 30 is determined before delivery of the target tank 4, and / or on a recurring basis over a predetermined period of time. This predetermined period of time may, in particular, be equal to one or more weeks, months, or years.

[0098] According to one embodiment, at least one of the performance estimation model and the configuration estimation model incorporates aging and / or maintenance parameters of the target tank 4 and / or the intermediate tank 3.

[0099] According to one embodiment, the initial state information, the performance information 20 and the configuration information 30 are stored in one or more databases which are part of the computing system 11 or communicate with said computing system 11.

[0100] According to one embodiment, the configuration estimation model takes into account a withdrawal parameter from the target tank 4, in particular a parameter representative of the pressure and / or temperature and / or flow rate at which the liquid is withdrawn from the target tank 4 during its use.

[0101] According to one embodiment, the configuration estimation model includes a performance information comparison model.

[0102] According to one embodiment, the process includes an update step 160 of the performance estimation model.

[0103] According to one embodiment, the steps of determining 110 an updated state vector, determining 120 updated performance information, and adjusting 160 the configuration estimation model are executed following at least one of the following events: a decision by an operator, the occurrence of a maintenance operation, modification and / or addition of one of the elements of the system, the verification of a predetermined condition, in particular the elapsed of a predetermined time.

Claims

Demands

1. A method for delivering liquid hydrogen to at least one target tank in a system comprising the target tank, at least one source (2) of liquid hydrogen such as a liquefier, and at least one intermediate tank (3) intended to be supplied by the source (2) and intended to deliver liquid hydrogen to the target tank (4), the method comprising the following steps: - determination (110) of an initial state vector relating to an initial state of the system; - determination (120) of initial performance information (20) from a performance estimation model and the initial state vector; - determination (130) of configuration information (30) of the target tank (4) from a configuration estimation model and the initial performance information (20);- configuration of the target tank (4), from the configuration information (30), to enable the target tank (4) to be in a predetermined thermodynamic state during the delivery of liquid hydrogen by the intermediate tank (3).;

2. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the initial state vector includes at least one piece of information relating to a thermodynamic parameter of the target tank (4), for example, information on the pressure and / or temperature of the hydrogen in the target tank (4).

3. A method according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the intermediate tank (3) is a mobile tank and the target tank (4) is a fixed tank, in particular intended to supply a hydrogen consumer.

4. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the initial performance information includes an initial performance level and in that the method further comprises the following steps: - determination (110), in particular dynamic, of an updated state vector relating to an updated state of the system; - determination (120) of updated performance information (20), from the performance estimation model and the updated state vector, the updated performance information having an updated performance level; - optionally, adjustment (160) of the configuration estimation model and / or the performance estimation model, from the initial state vector and / or the updated state vector, in particular if a difference between the initial performance level (20) and the updated performance level (20) is greater than a first determined threshold.

5. Method according to claim 4, characterized in that it comprises the following additional steps: - determination (130) of updated configuration information (30) from the updated state vector and the fitted configuration estimation model; - configuration (40) of the target tank, from the updated configuration information.

6. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the configuration information (30) includes a parameter for adjusting the pressure of a vent in the target tank (4) and / or the temperature of the liquid contained in the target tank (4).

7. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the configuration estimation model (30) incorporates a first withdrawal parameter from the target tank (4) before and / or during and / or after delivery.

8. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the step of determining the configuration information of the target tank comprises the following substeps: - determining (131) a plurality of performance information (20) corresponding to a plurality of possible configuration information (31); - selecting (132) the configuration information (32) from among the plurality of possible configuration information (31).

9. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the configuration information (30) is determined before delivery of the target tank (4), and / or on a recurring basis over a predetermined period of time.

10. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that at least one of the performance estimation model and the configuration estimation model incorporates aging and / or maintenance parameters of the target tank (4) and / or the intermediate tank (3).

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