Hydrogen supply system

Abstract

This technology can shorten the time required to supply hydrogen to hydrogen recipients. [Solution] The hydrogen supply system comprises a plurality of hydrogen tanks, a plurality of supply channels for supplying hydrogen from each of the plurality of hydrogen tanks to a destination, a plurality of on-off valves for opening and closing each of the plurality of supply channels, a plurality of pressure sensors for detecting the hydrogen pressure in each of the plurality of hydrogen tanks, and a control unit for controlling each on-off valve corresponding to each pressure sensor based on the pressure detected by each pressure sensor. The control unit is set to sequentially determine whether the detected pressure of the plurality of pressure sensors is above a predetermined threshold. If it determines that the detected pressure of a pressure sensor is above the threshold, it opens the on-off valve corresponding to that pressure sensor. If it determines that the detected pressure of a pressure sensor is below the threshold, it does not open the on-off valve corresponding to that pressure sensor and determines whether the detected pressure of the next pressure sensor is above the threshold.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a hydrogen supply system.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a valve device for a tank used in a gas storage device having a plurality of tanks and a flow path connecting the plurality of tanks. The valve device of Patent Document 1 includes a solenoid valve disposed on the downstream side of the plurality of tanks in the flow path.

[0003] In addition to the device of Patent Document 1, technologies capable of supplying gas from each of a plurality of tanks to a gas supply destination have been conventionally known. Conventional technologies include, for example, a plurality of hydrogen tanks, a plurality of supply flow paths for supplying hydrogen from each of the plurality of hydrogen tanks to a hydrogen supply destination, and a plurality of on-off valves for opening and closing each of the plurality of supply flow paths.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In the conventional technology, all of a plurality of on-off valves are opened and closed to supply hydrogen to a hydrogen supply destination. However, in a configuration where all of the plurality of on-off valves are opened and closed, on-off valves that do not need to be opened and closed are also opened and closed, which requires wasteful time. Therefore, the time required to supply hydrogen to a hydrogen supply destination has been long. This specification provides a technology capable of shortening the time required to supply hydrogen to a hydrogen supply destination.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In a first aspect of this technology, the hydrogen supply system comprises a plurality of hydrogen tanks, a plurality of supply channels for supplying hydrogen from each of the plurality of hydrogen tanks to a destination, a plurality of on-off valves for opening and closing each of the plurality of supply channels, a plurality of pressure sensors for detecting the hydrogen pressure in each of the plurality of hydrogen tanks, and a control unit for controlling each of the on-off valves corresponding to each of the pressure sensors based on the detected pressure of each of the pressure sensors. The control unit is set to determine whether the detected pressure of the plurality of pressure sensors is above a predetermined threshold in order, and if it determines that the detected pressure of a pressure sensor is above the threshold, it opens the on-off valve corresponding to that pressure sensor, and if it determines that the detected pressure of a pressure sensor is below the threshold, it does not open the on-off valve corresponding to that pressure sensor and determines whether the detected pressure of the next pressure sensor is above the threshold in order.

[0007] With this configuration, only the valves corresponding to those where the pressure sensor detects a pressure above a threshold are opened, while the valves corresponding to those where the pressure sensor detects a pressure below the threshold are not opened. This reduces the time required to open and close multiple valves to supply hydrogen to the hydrogen supply destination. Therefore, the time required to supply hydrogen to the hydrogen supply destination can be shortened. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Block diagram of the hydrogen supply system in the embodiment. [Figure 2] Flowchart of the control process performed in the hydrogen supply system of the embodiment (1). [Figure 3] Flowchart of the control process performed in the hydrogen supply system of the embodiment (2). [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The hydrogen supply system 2 of the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in Figure 1, the hydrogen supply system 2 of the embodiment comprises a plurality of hydrogen tanks 4 (first hydrogen tank 4a to fourth hydrogen tank 4d), a plurality of supply channels 10 (first supply channel 10a to fourth supply channel 10d), and a common supply channel 18. The hydrogen supply system 2 is a system that supplies gaseous hydrogen filled in one or more hydrogen tanks 4 (4a-4d) to a destination tank 150.

[0010] The following primarily describes the configuration of the first hydrogen tank 4a among the multiple hydrogen tanks 4(4a-4d). The configurations of the second hydrogen tank 4b, third hydrogen tank 4c, and fourth hydrogen tank 4d are similar to those of the first hydrogen tank 4a, so detailed explanations are omitted. For these tanks, explanations may be given only if their configurations differ from those of the first hydrogen tank 4a.

[0011] The configuration for supplying hydrogen from the first hydrogen tank 4a to the destination tank 150 will now be described. The first hydrogen tank 4a stores gaseous hydrogen under high pressure. The hydrogen in the first hydrogen tank 4a is supplied to the destination tank 150 through the first supply channel 10a and the common supply channel 18. The pressure of the hydrogen in the first hydrogen tank 4a decreases as hydrogen is supplied from the first hydrogen tank 4a to the destination tank 150.

[0012] The first supply channel 10a has one end connected to the first hydrogen tank 4a and the other end connected to the first supply manifold 14. The first supply channel 10a supplies hydrogen from the first hydrogen tank 4a to the first supply manifold 14.

[0013] A common supply channel 18 is connected to the first supply manifold 14. One end of the common supply channel 18 is connected to the first supply manifold 14, and the other end is connected to the destination tank 150. The common supply channel 18 supplies hydrogen from the first supply manifold 14 to the destination tank 150.

[0014] The first supply manifold 14 is equipped with a supply pressure sensor 60. The supply pressure sensor 60 detects the pressure of hydrogen supplied to the destination tank 150 by detecting the pressure of hydrogen in the first supply manifold 14.

[0015] The first supply channel 10a is equipped with a first supply solenoid valve 30a that opens and closes the first supply channel 10a. When the first supply solenoid valve 30a is open, hydrogen is supplied from the first hydrogen tank 4a to the first supply manifold 14 through the first supply channel 10a. Hydrogen is also supplied from the first supply manifold 14 to the destination tank 150 through the common supply channel 18. In other words, when the first supply solenoid valve 30a is open, hydrogen in the first hydrogen tank 4a is supplied to the destination tank 150. On the other hand, when the first supply solenoid valve 30a is closed, hydrogen in the first hydrogen tank 4a is no longer supplied to the destination tank 150.

[0016] Furthermore, a first supply check valve 12a is provided in the first supply channel 10a. The first supply check valve 12a allows hydrogen to flow from one end of the first supply channel 10a (the first hydrogen tank 4a side) to the other end (the first supply manifold 14 side), and prevents hydrogen from flowing in the reverse direction. The first supply check valve 12a is provided in the first supply channel 10a on the other end side (the first supply manifold 14 side) of the first supply solenoid valve 30a.

[0017] The hydrogen supply system 2 of the embodiment further includes a plurality of detection channels 40 (first detection channel 40a to fourth detection channel 40d) and a plurality of pressure sensors 70 (first pressure sensor 70a to fourth pressure sensor 70d). In the hydrogen supply system 2, the pressure inside each hydrogen tank 4 (4a-4d) can be detected by each pressure sensor 70 (70a-70d).

[0018] The first detection channel 40a has one end connected to the first hydrogen tank 4a and the other end sealed. The other end of the first detection channel 40a may be connected to, for example, another tank (not shown), and the channel may be sealed by the other tank.

[0019] The first detection flow path 40a is provided with a first detection solenoid valve 50a that opens and closes the first detection flow path 40a. When the first detection solenoid valve 50a opens while the above-described first supply solenoid valve 30a is closed, the pressure in the first detection flow path 40a and the pressure of the hydrogen in the first hydrogen tank 4a are balanced. Note that a check valve 42a may be provided in the first detection flow path 40a.

[0020] The first detection flow path 40a is provided with a first pressure sensor 70a. The first pressure sensor 70a indirectly detects the pressure of the hydrogen in the first hydrogen tank 4a by detecting the pressure of the hydrogen in the first detection flow path 40a in a state where the first supply solenoid valve 30a is closed and the first detection solenoid valve 50a is open. The first pressure sensor 70a is provided in the first detection flow path 40a on the other end side (opposite side to the first hydrogen tank 4a) from the first detection solenoid valve 50a.

[0021] In the hydrogen supply system 2 described above, when supplying hydrogen from the first hydrogen tank 4a to the supply destination tank 150, the control unit 100 opens the first supply solenoid valve 30a provided in the first supply flow path 10a. Thereby, hydrogen is supplied from the first hydrogen tank 4a to the supply destination tank 150 through the first supply flow path 10a.

[0022] Also, in the hydrogen supply system 2 described above, when detecting the pressure of the hydrogen in the first hydrogen tank 4a, the control unit 100 closes the first supply solenoid valve 30a provided in the first supply flow path 10a and opens the first detection solenoid valve 50a provided in the first detection flow path 40a. Thereby, the pressure of the hydrogen in the first hydrogen tank 4a and the pressure of the hydrogen in the first detection flow path 40a are balanced. The first pressure sensor 70a indirectly detects the pressure of the hydrogen in the first hydrogen tank 4a by detecting the pressure of the hydrogen in the first detection flow path 40a. The first pressure sensor 70a detects the pressure in the equilibrium state.

[0023] The hydrogen supply system 2 of the embodiment can further supply hydrogen from the hydrogen station 200 to a plurality of hydrogen tanks 4 (4a - 4d). The hydrogen supply system 2 includes a plurality of filling channels 20 (the first filling channel 20a - the fourth filling channel 20d) and a common filling channel 28.

[0024] One end of the first filling channel 20a is connected to the second filling manifold 25, and the other end is connected to the first supply channel 10a. The other end of the first filling channel 20a is connected to the first supply channel 10a on the side of the first hydrogen tank 4a with respect to the first supply solenoid valve 30a and the first supply check valve 12a. The first filling channel 20a supplies hydrogen from the second filling manifold 25 to the first supply channel 10a. The hydrogen supplied to the first supply channel 10a by the first filling channel 20a is supplied to the first hydrogen tank 4a through the first supply channel 10a and fills the first hydrogen tank 4a.

[0025] A first filling check valve 22a is provided in the first filling channel 20a. The first filling check valve 22a allows hydrogen to flow from one end side (the second filling manifold 25 side) to the other end side (the first supply channel 10a side) of the first filling channel 20a and prohibits hydrogen from flowing in the reverse direction.

[0026] The second filling manifold 25 is connected to the first filling manifold 24 through a connection filling channel 26. One end of the connection filling channel 26 is connected to the first filling manifold 24, and the other end is connected to the second filling manifold 25. The connection filling channel 26 supplies hydrogen from the first filling manifold 24 to the second filling manifold 25.

[0027] A filling pressure sensor 62 is provided in the first filling manifold 24. The filling pressure sensor 62 detects the pressure of hydrogen in the first filling manifold 24 to detect the pressure of hydrogen supplied to each hydrogen tank 4 (4a - 4d).

[0028] When supplying hydrogen from the hydrogen station 200 to each hydrogen tank 4 (4a-4d), the hydrogen station 200 supplies hydrogen to the common filling channel 28. As a result, hydrogen is supplied to each hydrogen tank 4 (4a-4d) through the common filling channel 28 and each filling channel 20 (20a-20d).

[0029] The above primarily describes the configuration of the first hydrogen tank 4a. The configurations of the second hydrogen tank 4b, third hydrogen tank 4c, and fourth hydrogen tank 4d are the same as those of the first hydrogen tank 4a, so detailed explanations are omitted. The configurations of the second hydrogen tank 4b, third hydrogen tank 4c, and fourth hydrogen tank 4d are described by replacing "first" with "second," "third," or "fourth" in the configuration of the first hydrogen tank 4a, and replacing the symbol "a" with "b," "c," or "d," respectively. Only the configurations of the second hydrogen tank 4b, third hydrogen tank 4c, and fourth hydrogen tank 4d that differ from the configuration of the first hydrogen tank 4a will be described.

[0030] The other end of the third supply channel 10c is connected to the second supply manifold 15. The third supply channel 10c supplies hydrogen from the third hydrogen tank 4c to the second supply manifold 15. The fourth supply channel 10d has the same configuration as the third supply channel 10c.

[0031] The second supply manifold 15 is connected to the first supply manifold 14 via a connecting supply channel 16. One end of the connecting supply channel 16 is connected to the second supply manifold 15, and the other end is connected to the first supply manifold 14. The connecting supply channel 16 supplies hydrogen from the second supply manifold 15 to the first supply manifold 14.

[0032] The third filling channel 20c is connected at one end to the first filling manifold 24. The third filling channel 20c supplies hydrogen from the first filling manifold 24 to the third supply channel 10c. The fourth filling channel 20d has a similar configuration to the third filling channel 20c.

[0033] The hydrogen supply system 2 of the embodiment further includes a control unit 100 and a storage unit 102. The control unit 100 includes, for example, a CPU and performs control and processing related to the hydrogen supply system 2 based on a predetermined program. The storage unit 102 includes, for example, ROM and RAM and stores various information related to the hydrogen supply system 2.

[0034] (Control process; Figures 2 and 3) Next, the control processes performed in the hydrogen supply system 2 of the embodiment will be described. Figures 2 and 3 are flowcharts of the control processes performed in the hydrogen supply system 2. The control processes shown in Figures 2 and 3 are started, for example, when a predetermined start instruction is input to the control unit 100.

[0035] In step S2 (see Figure 2) of the control process shown in Figures 2 and 3, the control unit 100 opens the first detection solenoid valve 50a, the second detection solenoid valve 50b, the third detection solenoid valve 50c, and the fourth detection solenoid valve 50d. In the subsequent step S4, the control unit 100 stores the detected pressures of the first pressure sensor 70a, the second pressure sensor 70b, the third pressure sensor 70c, and the fourth pressure sensor 70d in the storage unit 102. As a result, the pressure of the hydrogen filled in the first hydrogen tank 4a, the second hydrogen tank 4b, the third hydrogen tank 4c, and the fourth hydrogen tank 4d is stored in the storage unit 102. In the subsequent step S6, the control unit 100 closes the first detection solenoid valve 50a, the second detection solenoid valve 50b, the third detection solenoid valve 50c, and the fourth detection solenoid valve 50d.

[0036] In the subsequent step S8, the control unit 100 determines whether the pressure detected by the first pressure sensor 70a, which was stored in step S4, is above a predetermined threshold. If the pressure detected by the first pressure sensor 70a is above the predetermined threshold (YES in S8), the process proceeds to S10. If the pressure detected by the first pressure sensor 70a is below the predetermined threshold (NO in S8), the process proceeds to S16.

[0037] In S10, following the YES response in S8, the control unit 100 opens the first supply solenoid valve 30a located in the first supply channel 10a. As a result, hydrogen from the first hydrogen tank 4a is supplied to the destination tank 150 through the first supply channel 10a and the common supply channel 18.

[0038] In the subsequent S12, the control unit 100 monitors whether the detected pressure of the supply pressure sensor 60, which is installed on the second supply manifold 15, stops fluctuating. The state in which the detected pressure of the supply pressure sensor 60 stops fluctuating is a state in which the hydrogen pressure in the first hydrogen tank 4a and the hydrogen pressure in the destination tank 150 are in equilibrium, and it is not possible to supply more hydrogen from the first hydrogen tank 4a to the destination tank 150 than the current level. Note that the state in which the detected pressure of the supply pressure sensor 60 does not fluctuate includes not only the state in which the detected pressure of the supply pressure sensor 60 does not fluctuate at all, but also the state in which the fluctuation range of the detected pressure of the supply pressure sensor 60 remains within a predetermined fluctuation range for a predetermined time. If the detected pressure of the supply pressure sensor 60 stops fluctuating (YES in S12), the process proceeds to S14. On the other hand, if the detected pressure of the supply pressure sensor 60 fluctuates (NO in S12), the process in S12 continues.

[0039] In S14, following the YES response in S12, the control unit 100 closes the first supply solenoid valve 30a located in the first supply channel 10a. As a result, hydrogen is no longer supplied from the first hydrogen tank 4a to the destination tank 150.

[0040] After S14, the control unit 100 performs the same processing as described above for the configurations of the second hydrogen tank 4b, the third hydrogen tank 4c, and the fourth hydrogen tank 4d. Specifically, the control unit 100 performs the same processing as described in S8 for each of the second pressure sensor 70b, the third pressure sensor 70c, and the fourth pressure sensor 70d, similar to the first pressure sensor 70a (see S16, S24, and S32).

[0041] Furthermore, the control unit 100 performs the same processing as described in S10 and S14 for each of the second supply solenoid valve 30b, third supply solenoid valve 30c, and fourth supply solenoid valve 30d, as well as for the first supply solenoid valve 30a (see S18 and S22, S26 and S30, S34 and S38).

[0042] Furthermore, the control unit 100 performs the same processing as in S12 above for the supply pressure sensor 60 (see S20, S28, and S36).

[0043] The hydrogen supply system 2 of the embodiment has been described above. As is clear from the above description, the hydrogen supply system 2 includes a control unit 100 that controls each supply solenoid valve 30 (30a-30d) corresponding to each pressure sensor 70 (70a-70d) based on the detected pressure of each pressure sensor 70 (70a-70d). The control unit 100 is set to sequentially determine whether the detected pressure of the multiple pressure sensors 70 (70a-70d) is above a predetermined threshold (see S8, S16, S24, S32). If the control unit 100 determines that the detected pressure of a pressure sensor 70 (70a-70d) is above a threshold, it opens the supply solenoid valve 30 (30a-30d) corresponding to that pressure sensor 70 (70a-70d). If the control unit 100 determines that the detected pressure of a pressure sensor 70 (70a-70d) is below a threshold, it does not open the supply solenoid valve 30 (30a-30d) corresponding to that pressure sensor 70 (70a-70d) and instead determines whether the detected pressure of the next pressure sensor 70 (70a-70d) is above a threshold (see S8-S38).

[0044] With this configuration, among the multiple supply solenoid valves 30 (an example of on / off valves), only the supply solenoid valves 30 (30a-30d) corresponding to those for which the pressure detected by the pressure sensor 70 (70a-70d) is above the threshold are opened, and the supply solenoid valves 30 (30a-30d) corresponding to those for which the pressure detected by the pressure sensor 70 (70a-70d) is below the threshold are not opened. This reduces the time required to open and close multiple supply solenoid valves 30 in order to supply hydrogen to the hydrogen supply destination. Therefore, the time required to supply hydrogen to the supply destination tank 150 can be shortened.

[0045] (modified version) The predetermined thresholds in S8, S16, S24, and S32 in Figures 2 and 3 may be the same value or different values.

[0046] Each hydrogen tank 4 (4a-4d) may be equipped with a temperature sensor to detect the temperature of the hydrogen inside each hydrogen tank 4 (4a-4d).

[0047] Although specific examples of the present invention have been described in detail above, these are merely illustrative and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technologies described in the claims include various modifications and changes to the specific examples illustrated above. The technical elements described in this specification or drawings exhibit technical usefulness individually 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 even one of these objectives itself constitutes technical usefulness. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 2: Hydrogen supply system 4: Hydrogen tank 10: Supply channel 14: First supply manifold 15: Second supply manifold 16: Connection and supply channel 18: Common supply channel 20: Filling channel 24: First filling manifold 25: Second filling manifold 26: Connecting filling channel 28: Common filling channel 30: Supply solenoid valve 40: Detection channel 50: Detection Solenoid Valve 60: Supply pressure sensor 62: Filling pressure sensor 70: Pressure sensor 100: Control Unit 102: Storage section 150: Supply destination tank 200: Hydrogen Station

Claims

[Claim 1] Multiple hydrogen tanks, Multiple supply channels that supply hydrogen from each of the multiple hydrogen tanks to a destination, Multiple on / off valves for opening and closing each of the multiple supply channels, Multiple pressure sensors for detecting the hydrogen pressure in each of the multiple hydrogen tanks, The system includes a control unit that controls each of the on-off valves corresponding to each of the pressure sensors based on the pressure detected by each of the pressure sensors, The control unit is configured to sequentially determine whether the detected pressure of a plurality of pressure sensors is above a predetermined threshold, and if it determines that the detected pressure of a pressure sensor is above the threshold, it opens the on-off valve corresponding to that pressure sensor, and if it determines that the detected pressure of a pressure sensor is below the threshold, it does not open the on-off valve corresponding to that pressure sensor and determines whether the detected pressure of the next pressure sensor is above the threshold in the order of the control unit.

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