Hydrogen storage device

Abstract

To provide a technique that can effectively utilize hydrogen gas stored in a plurality of hydrogen tanks.SOLUTION: A hydrogen storage device comprises: a plurality of hydrogen tanks; a plurality of supply pipes corresponding to the plurality of hydrogen tanks respectively, and connecting the hydrogen tanks and a supply destination to which hydrogen in the hydrogen tanks is supplied, respectively; a plurality of solenoid valves provided in the plurality of supply pipes respectively; and a control device capable of controlling operation of the plurality of solenoid valves, and executing hydrogen supply operation for supplying the hydrogen to the supply destination. In the hydrogen supply operation, the control device sets only a first solenoid valve out of the plurality of solenoid valves in an open state, sets the solenoid valves other than the first solenoid valve in a closed state, and when a predetermined condition is established, changes the solenoid valve set as the first solenoid valve.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a hydrogen storage device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a hydrogen storage device that includes multiple hydrogen tanks, multiple supply pipes corresponding to the multiple hydrogen tanks, each supply pipe connecting the hydrogen tank to a destination to which hydrogen from the hydrogen tank is supplied, multiple solenoid valves provided on each of the multiple supply pipes, and a control device that controls the operation of the multiple solenoid valves to perform a hydrogen supply operation to supply hydrogen to the destination. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-132350 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the hydrogen storage device of Patent Document 1, multiple solenoid valves are simultaneously opened during hydrogen supply operation. That is, hydrogen gas is simultaneously supplied from multiple hydrogen tanks to the supply destination. In this configuration, the tank pressure of the multiple hydrogen tanks decreases in the same manner. When the tank pressure of the multiple hydrogen tanks decreases to the same level as the pressure of the supply destination, hydrogen gas can no longer be supplied to the supply destination. At this time, the same amount of hydrogen remains in each hydrogen tank, and a relatively large amount of hydrogen gas remains in the multiple hydrogen tanks as a whole.

[0005] This specification provides a technology that enables effective use of hydrogen gas stored in multiple hydrogen tanks. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In a first aspect disclosed in the present specification, a hydrogen storage device may include a plurality of hydrogen tanks, a plurality of supply pipes corresponding to the plurality of hydrogen tanks, each supply pipe connecting the hydrogen tank to a supply destination to which hydrogen gas in the hydrogen tank is supplied, a plurality of solenoid valves provided on each of the plurality of supply pipes, and a control device capable of controlling the operation of the plurality of solenoid valves to perform a hydrogen supply operation to supply hydrogen gas to the supply destination. During the hydrogen supply operation, the control device sets some of the plurality of solenoid valves as target solenoid valves and opens them, while closing solenoid valves other than the target solenoid valves, and changes the solenoid valve set as the target solenoid valve when a predetermined condition is met.

[0007] In the above configuration, only the target solenoid valve is open during hydrogen supply operation. In this case, the tank pressure of each hydrogen tank may differ. Therefore, during hydrogen supply operation, if the tank pressure of any of the multiple hydrogen tanks is higher than the pressure of the supply destination, hydrogen gas can be supplied to the supply destination. This allows for effective use of the hydrogen gas stored in the multiple hydrogen tanks.

[0008] In a second aspect, in the first aspect, the predetermined condition may be met when a fluctuation amount of the tank pressure of the hydrogen tank corresponding to the target electromagnetic valve becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value.

[0009] According to the above configuration, the solenoid valve set as the target solenoid valve can be changed at a timing when the supply of hydrogen gas from the hydrogen tank corresponding to the target solenoid valve to the supply destination becomes low.

[0010] In a third aspect, in the first or second aspect, the control device may set the target solenoid valves in order, starting with the solenoid valve corresponding to the hydrogen tank with the lowest tank pressure at the start of the hydrogen supply operation.

[0011] During hydrogen supply operation, the pressure at the destination increases as hydrogen gas is supplied to the destination. Therefore, while hydrogen supply operation is being performed, the pressure at the destination may become higher than the lowest tank pressure. With the above configuration, when the solenoid valve corresponding to the hydrogen tank with the lowest tank pressure is opened, the likelihood of hydrogen gas being supplied to the destination from that hydrogen tank can be increased. This allows for more effective use of hydrogen gas stored in multiple hydrogen tanks.

[0012] In a fourth aspect disclosed in the present specification, a hydrogen storage device may include a plurality of hydrogen tanks, a plurality of supply pipes corresponding to the plurality of hydrogen tanks, a plurality of solenoid valves provided on the plurality of supply pipes, and a control device capable of controlling the operation of the plurality of solenoid valves to perform a hydrogen supply operation to supply hydrogen gas to a supply destination. In the hydrogen supply operation, the control device may open a first target solenoid valve among the plurality of solenoid valves and close the solenoid valves other than the first target solenoid valve, open a second target solenoid valve among the plurality of solenoid valves when an amount of hydrogen gas supplied from a first hydrogen tank corresponding to the first target solenoid valve becomes equal to or less than a first predetermined amount while the first target solenoid valve is open and the solenoid valves other than the first target solenoid valve are closed, and close the first target solenoid valve when the amount of hydrogen gas supplied from the first hydrogen tank becomes equal to or less than a second predetermined amount that is less than the first predetermined amount after the second target solenoid valve is opened.

[0013] In the above configuration, during hydrogen supply operation, the first target solenoid valve, or the first target solenoid valve and the second target solenoid valve, are open. In this case, the tank pressure of each hydrogen tank may differ. Therefore, during hydrogen supply operation, if the tank pressure of any of the multiple hydrogen tanks is higher than the pressure of the supply destination, hydrogen gas can be supplied to the supply destination. This allows for effective use of the hydrogen gas stored in the multiple hydrogen tanks.

[0014] In a fifth aspect, at the start of the hydrogen supply operation, the tank pressure of the hydrogen tank corresponding to the second target solenoid valve may be higher than the tank pressure of the hydrogen tank corresponding to the first target solenoid valve.

[0015] According to the above configuration, after a change from a state in which only the first target solenoid valve is in an open state to a state in which the first target solenoid valve and the second target solenoid valve are in an open state, the possibility of hydrogen gas being supplied to the supply destination from the hydrogen tank corresponding to the second target solenoid valve can be increased. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 2 shows the configuration of a supply system 2. [Figure 2] FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the hydrogen supply operation process according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state in which hydrogen gas is supplied to a supply destination tank in the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which hydrogen gas is supplied to a supply destination tank in a comparative example. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the hydrogen supply operation process according to the second embodiment. [Figure 6] 10 is a time chart according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] (Example) As shown in Figure 1, the supply system 2 includes a hydrogen station 10, a hydrogen storage device 20, and a supply destination tank 100. The hydrogen station 10 supplies hydrogen gas to the mobile hydrogen storage device 20. As an example, the supply destination tank 100 is mounted on a fuel cell vehicle.

[0018] The hydrogen storage device 20 includes a filling pipe connection 22, a supply pipe connection 24, a plurality of hydrogen tank units 26, and a control device 28. The plurality of hydrogen tank units 26 are arranged in parallel with respect to the filling pipe connection 22 and the supply pipe connection 24.

[0019] The hydrogen tank unit 26 includes a hydrogen tank 40, a first filling pipe 42, and a first supply pipe 44. The hydrogen tank 40 stores hydrogen gas. The hydrogen tank 40 is provided with a temperature sensor 40A that detects the tank temperature inside the hydrogen tank 40. The first supply pipe 44 connects the hydrogen tank 40 to the supply pipe connection 24. The first supply pipe 44 is provided with a solenoid valve 46 and a supply-side check valve 48. The solenoid valve 46 is provided between the hydrogen tank 40 and the supply-side check valve 48. The solenoid valve 46 opens and closes the first supply pipe 44. The supply-side check valve 48 prevents hydrogen from flowing from the supply pipe connection 24 toward the hydrogen tank 40. The first filling pipe 42 connects the first supply pipe 44 to the filling pipe connection 22. The first filling pipe 42 is connected to the first supply pipe 44 between the hydrogen tank 40 and the solenoid valve 46. The first filling pipe 42 is provided with a filling-side check valve 50. The filling-side check valve 50 prevents hydrogen gas from flowing from the hydrogen tank 40 toward the filling pipe connection part 22.

[0020] The filling pipe connection section 22 is connected to four first filling pipes 42 and a second filling pipe 60 that connects the hydrogen station 10 and the hydrogen storage device 20. The filling pipe connection section 22 is provided with a first pressure sensor 22A.

[0021] The supply pipe connection section 24 is connected to four first supply pipes 44 and a second supply pipe 62 that connects the hydrogen storage device 20 and the supply destination tank 100. The supply pipe connection section 24 is provided with a second pressure sensor 24A.

[0022] The control device 28 is a computer equipped with a CPU. The control device 28 controls the operation of each component of the hydrogen storage device 20 to perform hydrogen supply operation. The control device 28 is equipped with a memory 28A. The tank pressure of each hydrogen tank 40 is stored in the memory 28A.

[0023] (Hydrogen supply operation process; Figure 2) The hydrogen supply operation process executed by the control device 28 of the hydrogen storage device 20 will be described with reference to Figure 2. The control device 28 starts the process of Figure 2 when the second supply pipe 62 is connected between the hydrogen storage device 20 and the supply destination tank 100. In the following, the four hydrogen tank units 26 will be referred to as the "first hydrogen tank unit 26," "second hydrogen tank unit 26," "third hydrogen tank unit 26," and "fourth hydrogen tank unit 26" in the order they are lined up from left to right. Furthermore, the first hydrogen tank unit 26, second hydrogen tank unit 26, third hydrogen tank unit 26, and fourth hydrogen tank unit 26 will be described with the designations "first," "second," "third," and "fourth," respectively.

[0024] In S10, the control device 28 sets the first solenoid valve 46 as the target solenoid valve. The target solenoid valve is the solenoid valve that is to be opened. As a result, only the first solenoid valve 46 is opened, and the second to fourth solenoid valves 46 to 46 are closed. In this case, hydrogen gas is supplied from the first hydrogen tank 40 to the supply destination tank 100.

[0025] In S12, control device 28 monitors whether pressure fluctuations in the first tank pressure of first hydrogen tank 40 are equal to or less than a first predetermined value. Specifically, control device 28 identifies the pressure detected by second pressure sensor 24A as the first tank pressure, and monitors whether pressure fluctuations in the first tank pressure are equal to or less than the first predetermined value. The first predetermined value is a threshold value used to determine whether the amount of hydrogen gas supplied from hydrogen tank 40 to destination tank 100 is equal to or less than the first predetermined amount. The first predetermined value is also a threshold value used to determine whether the first tank pressure and the destination tank pressure, which is the pressure in destination tank 100, are approximately the same. If control device 28 determines YES in S12, it proceeds to S20.

[0026] In S20, the control device 28 stores the first tank pressure as the first remaining pressure in the memory 28A. The control device 28 also sets the second solenoid valve 46 as the target solenoid valve. As a result, only the second solenoid valve 46 is opened, and the first solenoid valve 46, the third solenoid valve 46, and the fourth solenoid valve 46 are closed. In this case, hydrogen gas is supplied from the second hydrogen tank 40 to the supply destination tank 100.

[0027] In S22, the control device 28 determines whether the destination tank 100 is full. Specifically, the control device 28 identifies the pressure detected by the second pressure sensor 24A as the second tank pressure, and determines that the destination tank 100 is full if the second tank pressure does not fluctuate substantially immediately after the second solenoid valve 46 is switched to the open state. If the control device 28 determines that the destination tank 100 is full (YES in S22), it closes the solenoid valve 46 and ends the processing of FIG. 2. On the other hand, if the control device 28 determines that the destination tank 100 is not full (NO in S22), it proceeds to S24.

[0028] S24 is the same as S12 except that the second tank pressure is used. If the determination in S24 is YES, the control device 28 proceeds to S30.

[0029] In S30, the control device 28 stores the second tank pressure as the second remaining pressure in the memory 28A. The control device 28 also sets the third solenoid valve 46 as the target solenoid valve. As a result, only the third solenoid valve 46 is opened, and the first solenoid valve 46, the second solenoid valve 46, and the fourth solenoid valve 46 are closed. In this case, hydrogen gas is supplied from the third hydrogen tank 40 to the supply destination tank 100.

[0030] S32 and S34 are the same as S22 and S24, respectively, except that the pressure detected by the second pressure sensor 24A is used as the third tank pressure instead of the second tank pressure. If the controller 28 determines YES in S32, it closes the third solenoid valve 46 and ends the processing of FIG. 2. If the controller 28 determines NO in S32, it proceeds to S34. If the controller 28 determines YES in S34, it proceeds to S40.

[0031] In S40, the control device 28 stores the third tank pressure as the third remaining pressure in the memory 28A. The control device 28 also sets the fourth solenoid valve 46 as the target solenoid valve. As a result, only the fourth solenoid valve 46 is opened, and the first to third solenoid valves 46 to 46 are closed. In this case, hydrogen gas is supplied from the fourth hydrogen tank 40 to the supply destination tank 100.

[0032] S42 and S44 are the same as S22 and S24, respectively, except that the pressure detected by the second pressure sensor 24A is used as the fourth tank pressure instead of the second tank pressure. If the determination in S42 is YES, the control device 28 closes the fourth solenoid valve 46 and ends the processing in Fig. 2. If the determination in S42 is NO, the control device 28 proceeds to S44. If the determination in S44 is YES, the control device 28 proceeds to S50.

[0033] In S50, the control device 28 stores the fourth tank pressure as the fourth remaining pressure in the memory 28A. The control device 28 also closes the fourth solenoid valve 46. This closes the first solenoid valve 46 to the fourth solenoid valve 46, stopping the supply of hydrogen gas to the supply destination tank 100. When S50 ends, the control device 28 ends the processing of FIG. 2.

[0034] (Specific case) A specific case realized by the supply system 2 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 3. In the initial state of the case in FIG. 3, the first hydrogen tank 40 to the fourth hydrogen tank 40 are filled with hydrogen gas. In FIG. 3, the gray areas within each hydrogen tank 40 indicate areas filled with hydrogen gas, and the white areas indicate areas not filled with hydrogen gas. FIG. 3 shows an example in which the tank pressure when the hydrogen tank 40 is filled with hydrogen gas is 80 MPa, and the destination tank pressure when the destination tank 100 is filled with hydrogen gas is 40 MPa. In other words, this is a case in which the amount of hydrogen gas that can be filled into the destination tank 100 is half of the amount of hydrogen gas that can be filled into the hydrogen tank 40. The numbers in the circles in FIG. 3 indicate the order in which the solenoid valves 46 are opened.

[0035] 3A, when the destination tank 100 is connected to the hydrogen storage device 20, the control device 28 opens the first solenoid valve 46 (S10). As the destination tank 100 becomes full, the pressure in the first hydrogen tank 40 and the pressure in the destination tank 100 become substantially the same. As a result, the control device 28 determines that the amount of fluctuation in the first tank pressure is less than or equal to the first predetermined value (YES in S12), stores the first tank pressure in memory 28A as the first remaining pressure, closes the first solenoid valve 46, and opens the second solenoid valve 46 (S20). At this point, the destination tank 100 is full, so hydrogen is not being supplied from the second hydrogen tank 40 to the destination tank 100. Therefore, the second tank pressure does not fluctuate. In this case, the control device 28 determines that the destination tank 100 is full (YES in S22) and closes the second solenoid valve 46.

[0036] 3(B), when the destination tank 100 is connected to the hydrogen storage device 20, the control device 28 opens the first solenoid valve 46 (S10). Then, before the destination tank 100 becomes full, the pressure in the first hydrogen tank 40 and the pressure in the destination tank 100 become substantially the same. In this case, the control device 28 determines that the fluctuation in the first tank pressure is equal to or less than the first predetermined value (YES in S12), stores the first tank pressure in memory 28A as the first remaining pressure, closes the first solenoid valve 46, and opens the second solenoid valve 46 (S20). At this point, the second tank pressure is higher than the destination tank pressure, so hydrogen gas is supplied from the second hydrogen tank 40 to the destination tank 100. This causes the second tank pressure to fluctuate. In this case, the control device 28 determines that the destination tank 100 is not full (NO in S22). Thereafter, as the destination tank 100 becomes full, the second tank pressure stops fluctuating. In this case, the control device 28 determines that the amount of fluctuation in the second tank pressure is equal to or less than the first predetermined value (YES in S24), stores the second tank pressure as the second remaining pressure in memory 28A, closes the second solenoid valve 46, and opens the third solenoid valve 46 (S30). At this point, the destination tank 100 is full, so hydrogen gas is not supplied from the third hydrogen tank 40 to the destination tank 100. Therefore, the third tank pressure does not fluctuate. In this case, the control device 28 determines that the destination tank 100 is full (YES in S32), and closes the third solenoid valve 46.

[0037] 3(C) to 3(F), the operation of the first solenoid valve 46, the second solenoid valve 46, the third solenoid valve 46, and the fourth solenoid valve 46 are controlled in accordance with the hydrogen supply operation process of FIG. 2, and the supply destination tank 100 is filled up accordingly. At the end of FIG. 3(F), the first remaining pressure, the second remaining pressure, the third remaining pressure, and the fourth remaining pressure are lower than the pressure when the supply destination tank 100 is full, and the fourth remaining pressure is slightly higher than the pressure when the supply destination tank 100 is full. In this situation, even if a seventh supply destination tank 100 is connected to the hydrogen storage device 20, that supply destination tank 100 cannot be filled up. In other words, in this embodiment, six supply destination tanks 100 can be filled up in accordance with the execution of the hydrogen supply operation process of FIG. 2.

[0038] (Effects of this embodiment) Before describing the effects of this embodiment, a configuration for filling up the supply destination tank 100 using a supply system of a comparative example will be described with reference to Fig. 4. In the supply system of the comparative example, the control device of the comparative example does not individually operate the first solenoid valve 46, the second solenoid valve 46, the third solenoid valve 46, and the fourth solenoid valve 46. Specifically, the control device of the comparative example sets the first solenoid valve 46, the second solenoid valve 46, the third solenoid valve 46, and the fourth solenoid valve 46 to an open state or a closed state simultaneously.

[0039] First, in FIG. 4(A), when the supply destination tank 100 is connected to the hydrogen storage device 20, the control device of the comparative example simultaneously opens the first solenoid valve 46 to the fourth solenoid valve 46. In this case, hydrogen gas is simultaneously supplied from the first hydrogen tank 40 to the fourth hydrogen tank 40 to the supply destination tank 100. Then, as the supply destination tank 100 becomes full, the supply of hydrogen gas from the first hydrogen tank 40 to the fourth hydrogen tank 40 to the supply destination tank 100 is stopped. With this configuration, the hydrogen gas in the first hydrogen tank 40 to the fourth hydrogen tank 40 is consumed evenly. As a result, the first remaining pressure to the fourth remaining pressure become the same.

[0040] 4(B) to 4(D), the first solenoid valve 46 to the fourth solenoid valve 46 are simultaneously opened, and hydrogen gas is simultaneously supplied from the first hydrogen tank 40 to the fourth hydrogen tank 40 to fill the destination tank 100. At the end of FIG. 4(D), the first remaining pressure to the fourth remaining pressure are the same as the pressures when the destination tank 100 is full. Therefore, in the supply system of the comparative example, even if a fifth destination tank 100 is connected to the hydrogen storage device 20, that destination tank 100 cannot be filled. In other words, the supply system of the comparative example can fill only four destination tanks 100, which is fewer than the supply system 2 of this embodiment.

[0041] As described above, the hydrogen storage device 20 comprises a plurality of hydrogen tanks 40, a plurality of first supply pipes 44 (an example of "supply pipes") corresponding to each of the plurality of hydrogen tanks 40, each connecting the hydrogen tank 40 to a destination tank 100 (an example of a "destination") to which hydrogen gas in the hydrogen tank 40 is supplied, a plurality of solenoid valves 46 provided on each of the plurality of first supply pipes 44, and a control device 28 capable of controlling the operation of the plurality of solenoid valves 46 to perform a hydrogen supply operation to supply hydrogen gas to the destination tank 100. During hydrogen supply operation, the control device 28 sets one of the multiple solenoid valves 46 as the target solenoid valve and opens it, while closing the solenoid valves other than the target solenoid valve (S10, S20, S30 in Figure 2), and when the pressure fluctuation becomes equal to or less than a first predetermined value (an example of "when a predetermined condition is met") (YES in S12, YES in S14, YES in S16), changes the solenoid valve 46 set as the target solenoid valve (S20, S30, S40).

[0042] In the above configuration, only the target solenoid valve is opened during hydrogen supply operation. In this case, the tank pressure of each hydrogen tank may differ. During hydrogen supply operation, if the tank pressure of any one of the multiple hydrogen tanks 40 is higher than the pressure of the destination tank 100, hydrogen gas can be supplied to the destination tank 100. Therefore, the hydrogen gas stored in the multiple hydrogen tanks 40 can be used effectively.

[0043] Furthermore, with the above configuration, the solenoid valve 46 set as the target solenoid valve can be changed at the timing when the supply of hydrogen gas from the hydrogen tank 40 corresponding to the target solenoid valve to the supply destination is reduced.

[0044] Furthermore, the control device 28 sets the solenoid valves 46 corresponding to the hydrogen tanks 40 with the lowest tank pressure at the start of the hydrogen supply operation as the target solenoid valves in order.

[0045] During hydrogen supply operation, the pressure in the destination tank 100 increases as hydrogen gas is supplied to the destination tank 100. Therefore, while the hydrogen supply operation is being performed, the pressure in the destination tank 100 may become higher than the lowest tank pressure. With the above configuration, when the solenoid valve 46 corresponding to the hydrogen tank 40 with the lowest tank pressure is set to the open state, it is possible to increase the likelihood that hydrogen gas will be supplied from that hydrogen tank to the destination tank 100. Therefore, the hydrogen gas stored in the multiple hydrogen tanks 40 can be used more effectively.

[0046] (Second Example) The supply system 2 of the second embodiment will be described. The supply system 2 of the second embodiment is similar to the supply system 2 of the first embodiment, except that the hydrogen supply operation process of FIG. 5 is executed instead of the hydrogen supply operation process of FIG. 2.

[0047] (Hydrogen supply operation process; Figure 5) The hydrogen supply operation process executed by the control device 28 of the hydrogen storage device 20 will be described with reference to Figure 5. The control device 28 starts the process of Figure 5 when the second supply pipe 62 is connected between the hydrogen storage device 20 and the supply destination tank 100.

[0048] In S110, the control device 28 sets the first solenoid valve 46 as the first target solenoid valve. The first target solenoid valve is the solenoid valve that is to be set to the open state. As a result, only the first solenoid valve 46 is opened, and the second to fourth solenoid valves 46 to 46 are closed. In this case, hydrogen gas is supplied from the first hydrogen tank 40 to the supply destination tank 100.

[0049] In S112, the control device 28 monitors whether the first hydrogen gas supply amount from the first hydrogen tank 40 to the supply destination tank 100 is equal to or less than an eleventh predetermined value. As an example, the control device 28 determines the first hydrogen gas supply amount based on the amount of fluctuation in the first tank pressure detected by the second pressure sensor 24A. If the first hydrogen gas supply amount is equal to or less than the eleventh predetermined value, the control device 28 determines YES in S112 and proceeds to S114.

[0050] In S114, the control device 28 sets the second solenoid valve 46 as the second target solenoid valve. The second target solenoid valve is the solenoid valve to be opened and is the solenoid valve that will be set as the first target solenoid valve next. As a result, the first solenoid valve 46 and the second solenoid valve are opened, and the third solenoid valve 46 and the fourth solenoid valve 46 are closed. In this case, hydrogen gas is supplied from the first hydrogen tank 40 and the second hydrogen tank 40 to the supply destination tank 100.

[0051] In S116, the control device 28 monitors whether the first hydrogen gas supply amount is equal to or less than a twelfth predetermined value. The twelfth predetermined value is a value smaller than the eleventh predetermined value. The twelfth predetermined value is a threshold value for determining whether the supply of hydrogen gas from the hydrogen tank 40 corresponding to the first target solenoid valve to the supply destination tank 100 has stopped. As an example, the control device 28 determines the first hydrogen gas supply amount based on the amount of fluctuation in the tank temperature detected by the first temperature sensor 40A. If the hydrogen gas supply amount is equal to or less than the twelfth predetermined value, the control device 28 determines YES in S116 and proceeds to S118.

[0052] In S118, the control device 28 changes the second solenoid valve 46 to the first target solenoid valve. As a result, only the second solenoid valve 46 is opened, and the first solenoid valve 46, the third solenoid valve 46, and the fourth solenoid valve 46 are closed. In this case, hydrogen gas is supplied from the second hydrogen tank 40 to the supply destination tank 100.

[0053] S120 is the same as S22 in Fig. 2. If the determination in S120 is YES, the control device 28 closes the second solenoid valve 46 and ends the processing in Fig. 5. If the determination in S120 is NO, the control device 28 proceeds to S130.

[0054] S130 is the same as S112 except that it utilizes the second hydrogen gas supply amount from the second hydrogen tank 40 to the supply destination tank 100. If the determination in S130 is YES, the control device 28 proceeds to S132.

[0055] In S132, the control device 28 sets the third solenoid valve 46 as the second target solenoid valve. As a result, the second solenoid valve 46 and the third solenoid valve are opened, and the first solenoid valve 46 and the fourth solenoid valve 46 are closed. In this case, hydrogen gas is supplied from the second hydrogen tank 40 and the third hydrogen tank 40 to the supply destination tank 100.

[0056] S134 is the same as S116 except that the second hydrogen gas supply amount is used. If the determination in S134 is YES, the control device 28 proceeds to S136.

[0057] In S136, the control device 28 changes the third solenoid valve 46 to the first target solenoid valve. As a result, only the third solenoid valve 46 is opened, and the first solenoid valve 46, the second solenoid valve 46, and the fourth solenoid valve 46 are closed. In this case, hydrogen gas is supplied from the third hydrogen tank 40 to the supply destination tank 100.

[0058] S138 is the same as S22 in Fig. 2. If the determination in S138 is YES, the control device 28 closes the third solenoid valve 46 and ends the processing in Fig. 5. If the determination in S138 is NO, the control device 28 proceeds to S140.

[0059] S140 is the same as S112 except that it utilizes the third amount of hydrogen gas supplied from the third hydrogen tank 40 to the supply destination tank 100. If the determination in S140 is YES, the control device 28 proceeds to S142.

[0060] In S142, the control device 28 sets the fourth solenoid valve 46 as the second target solenoid valve. As a result, the third solenoid valve 46 and the fourth solenoid valve 46 are opened, and the first solenoid valve 46 and the second solenoid valve 46 are closed. In this case, hydrogen gas is supplied from the third hydrogen tank 40 and the fourth hydrogen tank 40 to the supply destination tank 100.

[0061] S144 is the same as S116 except that the third hydrogen gas supply amount is used. If the determination in S144 is YES, the control device 28 proceeds to S146.

[0062] In S146, the control device 28 changes the fourth solenoid valve 46 to the first target solenoid valve. As a result, only the fourth solenoid valve 46 is opened, and the first to third solenoid valves 46 are closed. In this case, hydrogen gas is supplied from the fourth hydrogen tank 40 to the supply destination tank 100.

[0063] S148 is the same as S22 in Fig. 2. If the determination in S148 is YES, the control device 28 closes the fourth solenoid valve 46 and ends the processing in Fig. 5. If the determination in S148 is NO, the control device 28 proceeds to S150.

[0064] S150 is the same as S116, except that it uses the fourth hydrogen gas supply amount from the fourth hydrogen tank 40 to the supply destination tank 100. If the answer to S150 is YES, the control device 28 closes the fourth solenoid valve 46 and terminates the processing of FIG.

[0065] (Specific case: Figure 6) A specific case realized by the supply system 2 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6. In the initial state of the case of Fig. 6, the tank pressures are greatest in the order of the first tank pressure, the second tank pressure, the third tank pressure, and the fourth tank pressure.

[0066] At time T0, the supply destination tank 100 is connected to the hydrogen storage device 20. As a result, the control device 28 sets the first solenoid valve 46 as the first target solenoid valve and opens it, and closes the second to fourth solenoid valves 46, 46 (S110 in FIG. 5). In this case, hydrogen gas begins to be supplied from the first hydrogen tank 40 to the supply destination tank 100. At time T1, the control device 28 determines that the first hydrogen gas supply amount has become equal to or less than an eleventh predetermined value (YES in S112), sets the second solenoid valve 46 as the second target solenoid valve, and opens the second solenoid valve 46 (S114). In this case, hydrogen gas begins to be supplied from the first hydrogen tank 40 and the second hydrogen tank 40 to the supply destination tank 100. At time T2, controller 28 determines that the first hydrogen gas supply amount has become equal to or less than a twelfth predetermined value (YES in S116) and changes second solenoid valve 46 to the first target solenoid valve (S118). As a result, second solenoid valve 46 opens, and first solenoid valve 46, third solenoid valve 46, and fourth solenoid valve 46 close. In this case, hydrogen gas is supplied from second hydrogen tank 40 to destination tank 100. Controller 28 also determines that destination tank 100 is not full (NO in S120).

[0067] 5, the operations of the second to fourth solenoid valves 46 are controlled in accordance with S130 to S148. Specifically, at time T3, the third solenoid valve 46 is set as the second target solenoid valve (S132), at time T4, the third solenoid valve 46 is changed to the first target solenoid valve (S136), at time T5, the fourth solenoid valve 46 is set as the second target solenoid valve (S134), and at time T6, the fourth solenoid valve 46 is changed to the first target solenoid valve (S146). Next, at time T7, the control device 28 determines that the fourth hydrogen gas supply amount has become equal to or less than a twelfth predetermined value (YES in S150), and closes the fourth solenoid valve 46. In this manner, hydrogen gas is supplied from the multiple hydrogen tanks 40 to the supply destination tank 100.

[0068] (Effects of this embodiment) As described above, in the hydrogen supply operation, the control device 28 opens the first target solenoid valve among the plurality of solenoid valves 46 and closes the solenoid valves other than the first target solenoid valve (S110, S118, S136 in FIG. 5), and when the first target solenoid valve is open and the solenoid valves other than the first target solenoid valve are closed, the amount of hydrogen gas supplied from the hydrogen tank 40 corresponding to the first target solenoid valve is equal to or greater than an eleventh predetermined value ("first predetermined amount"). If the amount of hydrogen gas supplied from the hydrogen tank is equal to or less than a twelfth predetermined value (an example of a "second predetermined amount") (YES in S116, YES in S134, YES in S144), the second target solenoid valve among the plurality of solenoid valves 46 is opened (S114, S132, S142), and if the amount of hydrogen gas supplied from the hydrogen tank is equal to or less than a twelfth predetermined value (an example of a "second predetermined amount") after the second target solenoid valve has been set to the open state (YES in S116, YES in S134, YES in S144), the first target solenoid valve is closed.

[0069] In the above configuration, during hydrogen supply operation, the first target solenoid valve, or the first target solenoid valve and the second target solenoid valve, are opened. In this case, the tank pressures of the hydrogen tanks 40 may differ. Therefore, during hydrogen supply operation, if the tank pressure of any one of the multiple hydrogen tanks 40 is higher than the pressure of the supply destination, hydrogen gas can be supplied to the supply destination. Therefore, the hydrogen gas stored in the multiple hydrogen tanks 40 can be used effectively.

[0070] In addition, in the above configuration, the second target solenoid valve is opened while the first target solenoid valve is opened, which reduces the time required to supply hydrogen gas to the supply destination tank 100 compared to a configuration in which the second target solenoid valve is opened after the first target solenoid valve is switched from open to closed.

[0071] Furthermore, at the start of the hydrogen supply operation, the tank pressure of the hydrogen tank 40 corresponding to the second target electromagnetic valve is greater than the tank pressure of the hydrogen tank 40 corresponding to the first target electromagnetic valve.

[0072] According to the above configuration, after the state changes from one in which only the first target solenoid valve is open to one in which both the first target solenoid valve and the second target solenoid valve are open, the possibility of hydrogen gas being supplied from the hydrogen tank 40 corresponding to the second target solenoid valve to the destination tank 100 can be increased.

[0073] Although specific examples of the technology disclosed in this specification have been described in detail above, these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and variations of the specific examples exemplified above. Modifications of the above examples are listed below.

[0074] 2 of the first embodiment, the control device 28 may determine YES in each process if the temperature fluctuation of the tank temperature is equal to or less than a second predetermined value. The second predetermined value is a threshold value for determining whether the amount of hydrogen gas supplied from the hydrogen tank 40 to the supply destination tank 100 is equal to or less than a first predetermined amount.

[0075] (Second Modification) In S12, S24, S34, and S44 of Fig. 2 in the first embodiment, the control device 28 may determine YES in each process if a predetermined time has elapsed. The predetermined time is set to the time required for the supply of hydrogen gas from the hydrogen tank 40 to the supply destination tank 100 to stop.

[0076] (Third Modification) In the first and second embodiments, the control device 28 sets the first target solenoid valves in the following order: the first solenoid valve 46, the second solenoid valve 46, the third solenoid valve 46, and the fourth solenoid valve 46. The control device 28 may store the number of times each solenoid valve 46 has been operated, and set the solenoid valves 46 in order of least number of times operated as the first target solenoid valves.

[0077] (Fourth Modification) In the first and second embodiments, the order in which the solenoid valves are set as the first target solenoid valves is determined in advance. The order in which the solenoid valves are set as the first target solenoid valves is not limited to the order of the first solenoid valve 46, the second solenoid valve 46, the third solenoid valve 46, and the fourth solenoid valve 46, as long as it is in order of decreasing tank pressure. In this modification, when starting the hydrogen supply operation process of FIG. 2, the control device 28 identifies the first to fourth remaining pressures in the memory 28A and determines the order in which the solenoid valves are set as the first target solenoid valves using the first to fourth remaining pressures.

[0078] (Fifth Modification) In steps S112, S130, and S140 of FIG. 5 in the second embodiment, the control device 28 may determine the amount of hydrogen gas supply using temperature fluctuations in the tank temperature.

[0079] The technical elements described in this specification or drawings exhibit technical utility either alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. Furthermore, the technologies illustrated in this specification or drawings can achieve multiple objectives simultaneously, and achieving one of those objectives is itself technically useful. [Explanation of symbols]

[0080] 2: supply system, 10: hydrogen station, 20: hydrogen storage device, 22: filling pipe connection, 22A: first pressure sensor, 24: supply pipe connection, 24A: second pressure sensor, 26: hydrogen tank unit, 28: control device, 28A: memory, 40: hydrogen tank, 40A: temperature sensor, 42: first filling pipe, 44: first supply pipe, 46: solenoid valve, 48: supply side check valve, 50: filling side check valve, 60: second filling pipe, 62: second supply pipe, 100: supply destination tank

Claims

1. 1. A hydrogen storage device, comprising: A plurality of hydrogen tanks; a plurality of supply pipes corresponding to the plurality of hydrogen tanks, each of the supply pipes connecting the hydrogen tank with a supply destination to which hydrogen gas in the hydrogen tank is supplied; a plurality of solenoid valves provided in the plurality of supply pipes, respectively; a control device capable of controlling the operation of the plurality of solenoid valves to perform a hydrogen supply operation for supplying hydrogen gas to a supply destination, The control device, during the hydrogen supply operation, Some of the plurality of solenoid valves are set as target solenoid valves to be in an open state, and solenoid valves other than the target solenoid valves are set to be in a closed state; When a predetermined condition is satisfied, the solenoid valve set as the target solenoid valve is changed. Hydrogen storage device.

2. 2. The hydrogen storage device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined condition is met when a fluctuation amount of the tank pressure of the hydrogen tank corresponding to the target electromagnetic valve is equal to or less than a predetermined value.

3. 2. The hydrogen storage device according to claim 1, wherein the control device sets the solenoid valve as the target solenoid valve in order from the solenoid valve corresponding to the hydrogen tank with the lowest tank pressure at the start of the hydrogen supply operation.

4. 1. A hydrogen storage device, comprising: A plurality of hydrogen tanks; a plurality of supply pipes corresponding to the plurality of hydrogen tanks, respectively; a plurality of solenoid valves provided in the plurality of supply pipes, respectively; a control device capable of controlling the operation of the plurality of solenoid valves to perform a hydrogen supply operation for supplying hydrogen gas to a supply destination, The control device, during the hydrogen supply operation, a first target solenoid valve among the plurality of solenoid valves is opened, and solenoid valves other than the first target solenoid valve are closed; When the first target solenoid valve is in an open state and the solenoid valves other than the first target solenoid valve are in a closed state, if the amount of hydrogen gas supplied from the first hydrogen tank corresponding to the first target solenoid valve becomes equal to or less than a first predetermined amount, a second target solenoid valve among the plurality of solenoid valves is opened; A hydrogen storage device that closes the first target solenoid valve when the amount of hydrogen gas supplied from the first hydrogen tank becomes equal to or less than a second predetermined amount that is less than the first predetermined amount after the second target solenoid valve is opened.

5. 5. The hydrogen storage device according to claim 4, wherein, at the start of the hydrogen supply operation, the tank pressure of the hydrogen tank corresponding to the second target solenoid valve is greater than the tank pressure of the hydrogen tank corresponding to the first target solenoid valve.

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