Apparatus and method for filling pressurized gas tanks

Abstract

The invention relates to a device and a method for filling a pressurized gas tank comprising a distributor (2) intended to supply pressurized gas from a fluid source (4) to the tank (3), said device (1) comprising a refrigeration system for cooling the gas flow in the distributor (2), said refrigeration system comprising a circuit (6) of a refrigerant fluid, such as brine, and a heat exchanger (5) for the exchange of heat between a heat transfer fluid and the gas flow in the distributor (2), said circuit (6) of the heat transfer fluid comprising in series in a loop a reservoir (7) of the heat transfer fluid and a heat exchanger (8) for the supply of the heat transfer fluid to the circuit ( 6) in the distributor (2), a member (8) for circulating the heat transfer fluid in the storage (7) and at least one evaporator (9) ensuring heat exchange between the heat transfer fluid and a low-temperature source (10), said device (1) being characterized in that the circuit comprises a bypass portion (11) and a set of bypass valves (12) making it possible to avoid passing all or part of the heat transfer fluid through the heat exchanger (5) of the distributor (2), thereby cooling the heat transfer fluid in the storage (7) and storing low-temperature energy therein, independently of the need for low-temperature energy in the distributor (2).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for filling a pressurized gas tank.

[0002] The invention relates in particular to an apparatus for filling pressurized gas tanks comprising a distributor intended to supply the tank with pressurized gas from a fluid source, the apparatus comprising a refrigeration system for cooling the gas flow in the distributor, the refrigeration system comprising a circuit of a refrigerant fluid, such as brine, and a heat exchanger ensuring heat exchange between a heat transfer fluid and the gas flow in the distributor, the circuit of the heat transfer fluid comprising, arranged in series in a loop, a reservoir of the heat transfer fluid, a member for circulating the heat transfer fluid in the circuit and at least one evaporator ensuring heat exchange between the heat transfer fluid and a low temperature source. [Background technology]

[0003] The first approach to cooling hydrogen in or upstream of the distributor of the filling station is to supply the heat exchanger with a freeze-resistant heat transfer fluid, typically brine, which is itself cooled in the evaporator of the refrigeration unit (see, for example, JP 2015-092108 A).

[0004] In a second embodiment, there is a single loop starting from the brine tank and passing successively through the exchangers of the evaporator and distributor of the refrigeration unit (see for example EP 3457019 A1).

[0005] This second embodiment is generally more efficient because, for a given brine temperature, the distributor exchanger can be fed at a lower temperature due to the evaporator being interposed between the brine tank and the distributor exchanger to provide additional cooling. Also, for a given hydrogen cooling target, the evaporation temperature of the refrigerant can be higher due to the warmer brine fed by the evaporator, thus increasing the coefficient of performance of the refrigeration unit. Furthermore, for a given compressor size of the refrigeration unit, the second embodiment allows the hydrogen to be cooled to a lower temperature and / or provides a higher cooling capacity. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT One object of the present invention is to overcome all or some of the above-mentioned shortcomings of the prior art. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] For this purpose, the device according to the invention otherwise complies with the general definition given in the preamble above, but is essentially characterized in that the circuit comprises a bypass section and a set of one or more bypass valves, which avoids all or part of the heat transfer fluid passing through the heat exchanger of the distributor, thereby making it possible to cool the heat transfer fluid in the reservoir and store low-temperature energy therein, independently of the need for low-temperature energy in the distributor.

[0008] Furthermore, embodiments of the invention may include one or more of the following features: - depending on the direction of circulation of the heat transfer fluid in the circuit of the heat transfer fluid, at least one evaporator is arranged between the storage and the distributor heat exchanger, downstream of the fluid circulation member and upstream of the distributor heat exchanger, - depending on the direction of circulation of the heat transfer fluid in the circuit of the heat transfer fluid, at least one evaporator is arranged between the heat exchanger of the distributor and the storage, i.e. downstream of the heat exchanger of the distributor and upstream of the storage, - the circuit of the heat transfer fluid comprises two evaporators arranged respectively upstream and downstream of the storage, the first evaporator being arranged between the storage and the heat exchanger of the distributor, and the second evaporator being arranged between the heat exchanger of the distributor and the storage, - the circuit of the heat transfer fluid comprises at least one evaporator bypass and one or more sets of valves to allow the distributor heat exchangers to be fed directly from the storage, - the device comprises a plurality of distributors intended to supply separate tanks, each distributor comprising a heat exchanger, the circuit of the heat transfer fluid being common to the distributors and comprising a set of parallel branches passing respectively through the various heat exchangers and a set of one or more distributor valves for controlling the flow of the heat transfer fluid to the heat exchanger or exchangers, the device comprising a bypass section for all or part of the heat exchangers and one or more sets of valves.

[0009] The invention also relates to a method for filling a pressurized gas tank using a device according to any one of the above or below characteristics, in which a flow of gas is made to flow in a distributor and through a heat exchanger, and a flow of heat transfer fluid is likewise circulated in a circuit of the heat transfer fluid, passing through the heat exchanger (5) of the distributor.

[0010] According to a possible particular feature, the method includes a step of circulating at least a portion of the heat transfer fluid in a bypass portion without passing through the heat exchanger of the distributor in order to cool the heat transfer fluid in the storage portion and / or to reduce the low temperature performance provided to the heat exchanger of the distributor.

[0011] The invention may also relate to any alternative device or method including any combination of the above or below features falling within the scope of the claims.

[0012] Other particular features and advantages will become apparent from reading the following description, which is provided with reference to the drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 shows a schematic partial diagram illustrating one possible example of the structure and operation of the present invention according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 shows a schematic partial diagram illustrating one possible example of the structure and operation of the present invention according to a second embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 shows a schematic partial diagram illustrating one possible example of the structure and operation of the present invention according to a third embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows a schematic partial diagram illustrating one possible example of the structure and operation of the present invention according to a fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] The apparatus 1 for filling pressurized gas tanks shown is, for example, a station for filling pressurized hydrogen tanks. This apparatus 1 comprises a distributor 2 (for example a hose fitted with a nozzle) adapted to supply pressurized gas from a fluid source 4 (one or more storage units and / or one or more compressors and / or the like) to a tank 3.

[0015] The device 1 comprises a refrigeration system for cooling the gas flow in the distributor 2. This refrigeration system comprises a circuit 6 for a heat transfer fluid, such as brine, and a heat exchanger 5 ensuring the heat exchange between the flow of heat transfer fluid and the gas flow in the distributor 2. The heat exchanger 5 is pre-cooled by the heat transfer fluid and may comprise a conductive mass which increases the thermal inertia of the cooling (if necessary, provides cooling even in the absence of the simultaneous passage of the heat transfer fluid).

[0016] The circuit 6 of the heat transfer fluid is, for example, a closed loop and comprises a reservoir 7 of the heat transfer fluid (for example a brine reservoir) arranged in series in the loop, a member 8 (for example a pump) for circulating the heat transfer fluid in the circuit 6 and an evaporator 9 (for example a heat exchanger) ensuring heat exchange between the heat transfer fluid and a low temperature source 10.

[0017] The circuit comprises a bypass section 11 and a set of one or more bypass valves 12, which make it possible to avoid all or part of the heat transfer fluid passing through the heat exchanger 5 of the distributor 2. This bypass of the flow, not passing through the heat exchanger 5, makes it possible to cool the heat transfer fluid in the reservoir 7 and store cryogenic energy therein, independently of the need for cryogenic energy in the distributor 2, i.e. the circulation of the heat transfer fluid in the circuit, not passing through the heat exchanger 5, makes it possible to cool this heat transfer fluid. This bypass also makes it possible to regulate the amount of cryogenic temperature supplied to the hydrogen in the heat exchanger 5, i.e. it makes it possible to control (reduce) the cryogenic performance provided to the heat exchanger 5.

[0018] It should be noted that it is also possible to envisage a bypass 14 of the evaporator 9 and a set of one or more valves 15 so that the heat exchanger 5 of the distributor 2 is fed directly from the storage 7, as shown diagrammatically in dotted lines in [Figure 1]. In case the evaporator 9 has warmed up after a long shutdown, this may allow the heat transfer fluid not to be heated while the refrigeration unit 10 is starting up.

[0019] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the evaporator 9 is arranged between the storage section 7 and the heat exchanger 5 of the distributor 5, downstream of the fluid circulation member 8 and upstream of the heat exchanger 5 of the distributor (depending on the direction of circulation of the heat transfer fluid in the heat transfer fluid circuit 6).

[0020] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the evaporator 9 is arranged between the heat exchanger 5 of the distributor 5 and the storage 7, downstream of the heat exchanger 5 of the distributor 5 and upstream of the storage 7 (depending on the direction of circulation of the heat transfer fluid in the heat transfer fluid circuit 6).

[0021] As shown in the embodiment of [Figure 3], the circuit 6 of the heat transfer fluid may comprise two evaporators 9: a first evaporator 9 located downstream of the storage section 7 and upstream of the heat exchanger 5, for example between the fluid circulation member 8 and the heat exchanger 5 of the distributor 5, and a second evaporator 9 located between the heat exchanger 5 of the distributor 2 and the storage section 7.

[0022] As shown in the embodiment of [Fig. 4], the device may comprise several distributors 2, intended for example simultaneously or separately to supply separate tanks 3, each equipped with a heat exchanger 5. A circuit 6 of the heat transfer fluid is common to the distributors 2 and comprises a set of parallel branches passing respectively through the different heat exchangers 5, and a set of one or more distribution valves 13 for controlling the flow of the heat transfer fluid to the heat exchanger or exchangers 5. As shown, the device 1 may comprise, for each heat exchanger 5, a bypass portion 11 and a set of one or more valves 12 as described above.

[0023] It should be noted that [Figure 4] shows in a little more detail a non-limiting example of a cold source 10. In this example, the cold source comprises a circuit in the form of a refrigerant loop, comprising a pump 16, an evaporator 17, a reservoir 18 of refrigerant and a passage in the evaporator 9 which then cools the brine circulating in the circuit 6 of the heat transfer fluid. This type of cold source can also be used in the other embodiments.

Claims

1. An apparatus for filling a pressurized gas tank comprising a dispenser (2) intended to supply pressurized gas from a fluid source (4) to the tank (3), said apparatus (1) comprising a refrigeration system for cooling the gas flow within the dispenser (2), said refrigeration system comprising a circuit (6) of a refrigerant fluid such as brine, and a heat exchanger (5) ensuring heat exchange between the heat transfer fluid and the gas flow within the dispenser (2), said circuit (6) of the heat transfer fluid comprising, arranged in series within a loop, a reservoir (7) of the heat transfer fluid, a member (8) for circulating the heat transfer fluid within the circuit (6), and at least one evaporator (9) ensuring heat exchange between the heat transfer fluid and a low temperature source (10), characterized in that the circuit comprises a bypass portion (11) and a set (12) of one or more bypass valves that avoid all or part of the heat transfer fluid passing through the heat exchanger (5) of the dispenser (2), thereby cooling the heat transfer fluid within the reservoir (7) and accumulating low temperature energy therein, independently of the need for low temperature energy in the dispenser (2).

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, depending on the direction of circulation of the heat transfer fluid within the circuit (6) of the heat transfer fluid, the at least one evaporator (9) is arranged between the reservoir (7) and the heat exchanger (5) of the dispenser (5), downstream of the fluid circulation member (8) and upstream of the heat exchanger (5) of the dispenser (2).

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, depending on the direction of circulation of the heat transfer fluid within the circuit (6) of the heat transfer fluid, the at least one evaporator (9) is arranged between the heat exchanger (5) of the dispenser (2) and the reservoir (7), i.e., downstream of the heat exchanger (5) of the dispenser (5) and upstream of the reservoir (7).

4. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the circuit (6) of the heat transfer fluid comprises two evaporators (9) arranged respectively upstream and downstream of the reservoir (7), the first evaporator (9) being arranged between the reservoir (7) and the heat exchanger (5) of the dispenser (2), and the second evaporator (9) being arranged between the heat exchanger (5) of the dispenser (2) and the reservoir (7).

5. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the circuit (6) of the heat transfer fluid comprises a bypass of the at least one evaporator (9) and a set of one or more valves to enable the heat exchanger (5) of the distributor (2) to be supplied directly from the storage unit (7).

6. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a plurality of distributors (2) intended to supply separate tanks (3), each distributor (2) comprising a heat exchanger (5), the circuit (6) of the heat transfer fluid being common to the plurality of distributors (2) and comprising a set of parallel branch paths each passing through a respective one of the various heat exchangers (5), and a set of one or more distribution valves (13) for controlling the flow of heat transfer fluid to the one or more heat exchangers (5), the apparatus (1) comprising a bypass portion (11) for all or part of the heat exchanger (5) and a set of one or more valves (12).

7. A method of filling a pressurized gas tank using the apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a gas flow is passed through the distributor (2) and through the heat exchanger (5), and a heat transfer fluid flow is likewise circulated within the circuit (6) of the heat transfer fluid, passing through the heat exchanger (5) of the distributor (2).

8. The method according to claim 7, comprising the step of circulating at least a portion of the heat transfer fluid in the bypass portion (11) without passing through the heat exchanger (5) of the distributor (2) in order to cool the heat transfer fluid in the storage unit (7) and / or to reduce the low temperature performance provided by the heat exchanger (5).

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