Hydrogen refueling system

Abstract

The hydrogen tanks are appropriately filled according to the type of hydrogen storage material used. [Solution] The hydrogen refueling system includes a first tank port to which a hydrogen tank is detachably attached, a first pressure sensor for detecting the pressure of the hydrogen tank attached to the first tank port, a first temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the hydrogen tank attached to the first tank port, and a hydrogen supply unit for controlling the supply of hydrogen to the first tank port based on the values ​​detected by the first pressure sensor and the values ​​detected by the first temperature sensor. The hydrogen supply unit is configured to change the control parameters for supplying hydrogen to the first tank port according to the type of hydrogen storage material in the hydrogen tank attached to the first tank port.

Description

Technical Field

[0005]

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a hydrogen filling system, and more particularly to a hydrogen filling system for filling hydrogen into a hydrogen tank containing a hydrogen storage material (e.g., a hydrogen storage alloy).

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a hydrogen filling system. This hydrogen filling system is configured to fill hydrogen into a hydrogen tank containing a hydrogen storage material. In this type of system, it is necessary to appropriately manage the pressure and temperature of the hydrogen tank based on the characteristics (e.g., PCT characteristics) related to hydrogen storage of the hydrogen storage alloy.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003] ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​The technology disclosed herein is embodied in a hydrogen filling system for a hydrogen tank containing a hydrogen storage material. This hydrogen filling system comprises a first tank port to which a hydrogen tank is detachably attached, a first pressure sensor for detecting the pressure of the hydrogen tank attached to the first tank port, a first temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the hydrogen tank attached to the first tank port, and a hydrogen supply unit for controlling the hydrogen supply to the first tank port based on the values ​​detected by the first pressure sensor and the values ​​detected by the first temperature sensor. The hydrogen supply unit is configured to change control parameters in the hydrogen supply to the first tank port depending on the type of hydrogen storage material in the hydrogen tank attached to the first tank port.

[0006] According to the above configuration, when filling a hydrogen tank with hydrogen, the control parameters for hydrogen supply can be switched according to the type of hydrogen storage material built into the hydrogen tank. This makes it possible to properly fill multiple types of hydrogen tanks, each employing different types of hydrogen storage materials. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] A schematic diagram showing the configuration of a hydrogen refueling system 10 in one embodiment. [Figure 2] A flowchart showing the operation flow of the hydrogen refueling system 10. [Figure 3] A schematic PCT diagram of hydrogen storage alloy A is shown. [Figure 4] A schematic PCT diagram of hydrogen storage alloy B is shown. [Figure 5] A diagram showing one example of operation of the hydrogen refueling system 10 in tabular format. [Figure 6] A diagram showing another example of the operation of the hydrogen refueling system 10 in tabular form. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] In one embodiment of this technology, the first tank port may have a hydrogen supply port connected to a hydrogen supply unit and a sensor port on which a first pressure sensor and a first temperature sensor are located. In this case, when the hydrogen tank is attached to the first tank port, the hydrogen supply port may be connected to one end of the hydrogen tank and the sensor port may be connected to the other end of the hydrogen tank. With such a configuration, the pressure and temperature of the hydrogen tank can be detected at the sensor port both before hydrogen refueling of the hydrogen tank is started and while hydrogen refueling of the hydrogen tank is interrupted. This allows for the proper start and interruption of hydrogen refueling of the hydrogen tank.

[0009] In one embodiment of this technology, the hydrogen tank may be provided with an information tag that describes information identifying the type of hydrogen storage material it contains. In this case, the hydrogen supply unit may be configured to read the information tag of the hydrogen tank attached to the first tank port. With such a configuration, the hydrogen supply unit can identify the type of hydrogen storage material contained in the hydrogen tank based on the information read from the information tag and select appropriate control parameters accordingly. Here, the reading of the information tag may be performed when the hydrogen tank is attached to the first tank port, or it may be performed before the hydrogen tank is attached to the first tank port.

[0010] In one embodiment of this technology, the hydrogen supply unit may include a first port supply path for supplying hydrogen to a first tank port, a first on-off valve provided in the first port supply path for opening and closing the first port supply path, a first pressure controller provided in the first port supply path for adjusting the pressure of the hydrogen supplied to the first tank port, and a control device connected to a first pressure sensor and a first temperature sensor, which controls the operation of the first on-off valve and the operation of the first pressure controller. In this case, the control device may store control parameters for hydrogen supply for multiple types of hydrogen storage materials. With such a configuration, the control device can freely control the start and stop of hydrogen filling to the first tank port and the hydrogen supply pressure by controlling the first on-off valve and the first pressure controller. At that time, the control device can also select appropriate control parameters according to the hydrogen storage material built into the hydrogen tank.

[0011] In one embodiment of this technology, the hydrogen refueling system may further include a second tank port to which a hydrogen tank is detachably attached, a second pressure sensor for detecting the pressure of the hydrogen tank attached to the second tank port, and a second temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the hydrogen tank attached to the second tank port. In this case, the hydrogen supply unit may control the supply of hydrogen to the second tank port based on the values ​​detected by the second pressure sensor and the values ​​detected by the second temperature sensor. In addition, the hydrogen supply unit may be configured to change the control parameters for supplying hydrogen to the second tank port depending on the type of hydrogen storage alloy in the hydrogen tank attached to the second tank port. With such a configuration, two hydrogen tanks can be filled simultaneously, and the supply of hydrogen to each hydrogen tank can be individually controlled according to the hydrogen storage material contained in each hydrogen tank. [Examples]

[0012] The hydrogen filling system 10 of this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in Figure 1, the hydrogen filling system 10 is a system for filling a hydrogen tank 12 with hydrogen. The hydrogen tank 12 is a tank that utilizes a hydrogen storage alloy and has a hydrogen storage alloy built inside. Here, the hydrogen filling system 10 of this embodiment is compatible with multiple types of hydrogen storage alloys. For example, the hydrogen filling system 10 can fill a hydrogen tank 12 that contains a first type of hydrogen storage alloy A, or it can fill a hydrogen tank 12 that contains a second type of hydrogen storage alloy B, which is different from the first type. Note that the hydrogen storage alloy is just one example of a hydrogen storage material, and the hydrogen storage material used in the hydrogen tank 12 is not limited to an alloy.

[0013] The hydrogen refueling system 10 is connected to the hydrogen supply source 2 via a hydrogen supply path 4. The hydrogen supply path 4 is a pipeline for hydrogen, supplying hydrogen from the hydrogen supply source 2 to the hydrogen refueling system 10. The hydrogen supply path 4 is equipped with a main solenoid valve 6 and a main pressure controller 8. The main solenoid valve 6 opens and closes the hydrogen supply path 4, thereby allowing and prohibiting hydrogen refueling by the hydrogen refueling system 10. The main pressure controller 8 adjusts the supply pressure of the hydrogen supplied to the hydrogen refueling system 10 through the hydrogen supply path 4.

[0014] The hydrogen refueling system 10 comprises a tank dock 18 and hydrogen supply units 50, 60, 70, and 80 that supply hydrogen to the tank dock 18. The hydrogen supply units 50, 60, 70, and 80 each have multiple port supply paths 50, 60, and 70 and a control device 80. The multiple port supply paths 50, 60, and 70 are each pipelines for hydrogen, connecting the hydrogen supply path 4 to the tank dock 18. As will be described in more detail later, the control device 80 controls the start and stop of hydrogen supply by the port supply paths 50, 60, and 70, and the hydrogen supply pressure.

[0015] The tank dock 18 has multiple tank ports 20, 30, and 40. A hydrogen tank 12 is detachably attached to each of the tank ports 20, 30, and 40. In this example, the tank dock 18 has three tank ports, namely a first tank port 20, a second tank port 30, and a third tank port 40. This allows the hydrogen refueling system 10 to refuel up to three hydrogen tanks 12 simultaneously. However, the number of tank ports is not limited to three. The hydrogen refueling system 10 only needs to have at least one tank port.

[0016] The first tank port 20 is provided with a hydrogen supply port 22, a sensor port 24, a pressure sensor 26, and a temperature sensor 28. The hydrogen supply port 22 is connected to one end 12a of the hydrogen tank 12 when the hydrogen tank 12 is attached to the first tank port 20. The one end 12a of the hydrogen tank 12 is provided with a boss (fitting) that is airtightly connected to the hydrogen supply port 22. When the hydrogen supply port 22 is connected to one end 12a of the hydrogen tank 12, communication is established between the hydrogen supply port 22 and the inside of the hydrogen tank 12.

[0017] The sensor port 24 is connected to the other end 12b of the hydrogen tank 12 when the hydrogen tank 12 is attached to the first tank port 20. The other end 12b of the hydrogen tank 12 is provided with a boss (fitting) that is airtightly connected to the sensor port 24. When the sensor port 24 is connected to the other end 12b of the hydrogen tank 12, communication is established between the sensor port 24 and the inside of the hydrogen tank 12.

[0018] The pressure sensor 26 is an example of a first pressure sensor and detects the pressure of the hydrogen tank 12 attached to the first tank port 20. The temperature sensor 28 is an example of a first temperature sensor and detects the temperature of the hydrogen tank 12 attached to the first tank port 20. Although not particularly limited, the pressure sensor 26 and the temperature sensor 28 are arranged at the sensor port 24. According to such a configuration, when the hydrogen tank 12 is attached to the first tank port 20 and the sensor port 24 communicates with the inside of the hydrogen tank 12, the pressure and temperature of the hydrogen tank 12 can be directly detected. Further, since the sensor port 24 is provided independently of the hydrogen supply port 22, the pressure and temperature of the hydrogen tank 12 can be detected at the sensor port 24 even before starting the hydrogen filling into the hydrogen tank 12 or while the hydrogen filling into the hydrogen tank 12 is interrupted.

[0019] The second tank port 30 and the third tank port 40 have the same configuration and function as the first tank port 20. That is, the hydrogen supply ports 32, 42, the sensor ports 34, 44, the pressure sensors 36, 46, and the temperature sensors 38, 48 are also provided at the second tank port 30 and the third tank port 40. Regarding these descriptions, it is understood from the above descriptions of the first tank port 20, and duplicate descriptions are omitted here. The pressure sensor 36 attached to the second tank port 30 is an example of a second pressure sensor, and the temperature sensor 38 attached to the second tank port 30 is an example of a second temperature sensor.

[0020] The plurality of port supply paths 50, 60, 70 have a first port supply path 50, a second port supply path 60, and a third port supply path 70 according to the number of the tank ports 20, 30, 40. The first port supply path 50 connects the first tank port 20 (specifically, the hydrogen supply port 22) to the hydrogen supply path 4 and is configured to supply hydrogen to the first tank port 20. Similarly, the second port supply path 60 and the third port supply path 70 connect the second tank port 30 and the third tank port 40 to the hydrogen supply path 4, respectively.

[0021] The first port supply path 50 is provided with a solenoid valve 52 and a pressure controller 54. The solenoid valve 52 is an example of an on-off valve (also referred to as a partition valve or a switching valve) that opens and closes the first port supply path 50. The pressure controller 54 adjusts the pressure of hydrogen supplied to the first tank port 20. The solenoid valve 52 and the pressure controller 54 are connected to the control device 80 via signal lines (broken lines in FIG. 1). Thereby, the operations of the solenoid valve 52 and the pressure controller 54 are controlled by the control device 80. Similarly, the second port supply path 60 and the third port supply path 70 are also provided with solenoid valves 62, 72 and pressure controllers 64, 74, respectively. These solenoid valves 62, 72 and pressure controllers 64, 74 are also connected to the control device 80 via signal lines, and their operations are controlled by the control device 80.

[0022] The above-described pressure sensors 26, 36, 46 and temperature sensors 28, 38, 48 are also connected to the control device 80 via signal lines, respectively. The control device 80 controls the operations of the solenoid valve 52 and the pressure controller 54 based on the respective detection values by the pressure sensor 26 and the temperature sensor 28 of the first tank port 20. Thereby, the control device 80 can control the start and stop of hydrogen filling to the hydrogen tank 12 and the supply pressure of hydrogen according to the pressure and temperature of the hydrogen tank 12 attached to the first tank port 20. Similarly, in the second tank port 30 and the third tank port 40, the start and stop of hydrogen filling to the hydrogen tank 12 and the supply pressure of hydrogen can be controlled according to the pressure and temperature of the hydrogen tank 12 attached thereto.

[0023] The control device 80 is also connected to the main solenoid valve 6 and the main pressure controller 8 and is configured to control their operations. However, as another embodiment, the main solenoid valve 6 and the main pressure controller 8 are not limited to the control device 80 of the hydrogen filling system 10 and may be controlled or operated by an external control device or an operator.

[0024] As mentioned above, the hydrogen refueling system 10 is compatible with multiple types of hydrogen storage alloys. To this end, the control device 80 is configured to identify the type of hydrogen storage alloy in the hydrogen tanks 12 attached to the tank ports 20, 30, and 40. The configuration of the control device 80 for identifying the type of hydrogen storage alloy is not particularly limited. For example, when a user or operator attaches a hydrogen tank 12 to the tank ports 20, 30, or 40, the user or operator may be configured to inform the control device 80 of the type of hydrogen storage alloy. Alternatively, the hydrogen tank 12 may be provided with an information tag that describes information identifying the type of hydrogen storage alloy it contains. In this case, the control device 80 may further include a reader to read the information tag. As a result, the control device 80 can identify the type of hydrogen storage alloy contained in the hydrogen tank 12 by reading the information tag using the reader.

[0025] Next, the operation flow of the hydrogen refueling system 10 will be explained with reference to Figure 2. For example, when a hydrogen tank 12 is attached to the first tank port 20 (YES in S12), the control device 80 identifies the type of hydrogen storage alloy built into the hydrogen tank 12 (S14). Next, the control device 80 selects the control parameters to be used for supplying hydrogen to the first tank port 20 according to the identified type of hydrogen storage alloy (S16). The control device 80 stores data describing the PCT diagram (hydrogen pressure-composition-isotherm diagram) and control parameters for hydrogen supply for multiple types of hydrogen storage alloys.

[0026] The control parameters stored in the control device 80 are set based on the PCT diagram of the hydrogen storage alloy. As an example, Figure 3 shows the PCT diagram of the first type of hydrogen storage alloy A. As shown in Figure 3, in the case of the first type of hydrogen storage alloy A, the hydrogen storage pressure rises sharply when the amount of stored hydrogen exceeds 1.2 wt%. Therefore, as one of the control parameters, the upper limit of the amount of stored hydrogen at which hydrogen filling is judged to be complete is set to 1.2 wt%. Also, assuming the reference temperature of the hydrogen tank 12 is 10°C, the plateau region where the storage pressure stabilizes is 0.35 MPa, so as one of the control parameters, the hydrogen supply pressure (filling pressure) is set to 0.4 MPa.

[0027] As another example, Figure 4 shows the PCT diagram for the first type of hydrogen storage alloy B. As shown in Figure 4, in the case of the second type of hydrogen storage alloy B, the hydrogen storage pressure rises sharply when the amount of stored hydrogen exceeds 1.4 wt%. Therefore, as one of the control parameters, the upper limit of the amount of stored hydrogen at which hydrogen filling is judged to be complete is set to 1.4 wt%. Also, assuming the reference temperature of the hydrogen tank 12 is 10°C, the plateau region where the storage pressure stabilizes is 0.50 MPa, so as one of the control parameters, the hydrogen supply pressure (filling pressure) is set to 0.6 MPa.

[0028] Returning to Figure 2, the control device 80 acquires the detection values ​​of the pressure sensor 26 and temperature sensor 28 installed in the first tank port 20 (S18). That is, it acquires the pressure and temperature of the hydrogen tank 12 attached to the first tank port 20. Next, the control device 80 calculates the amount of hydrogen storage alloy stored in the hydrogen tank 12 (wt%) based on the acquired pressure and temperature and the stored PCT diagram (S20). Next, the control device 80 compares the calculated amount of storage with the upper limit of the amount of storage selected in step S16 (S22). If the calculated amount of storage has reached the upper limit (NO in S22), the control device 80 considers that the filling of the hydrogen tank 12 is complete and completes the filling (or does not start filling).

[0029] On the other hand, if the calculated storage amount has not reached the upper limit (YES in S22), the control device 80 compares the pressure of the hydrogen tank 12 obtained in step S18 with the hydrogen supply pressure (filling pressure) selected in step S16 (S24). If the pressure of the hydrogen tank 12 is less than the hydrogen supply pressure (filling pressure) (YES in S24), the control device 80 determines that hydrogen filling of the hydrogen tank 12 is possible and starts (or restarts / continues) hydrogen filling in step S26.

[0030] On the other hand, if the pressure in the hydrogen tank 12 reaches the hydrogen supply pressure (filling pressure) (NO in S24), the control device 80 determines that hydrogen filling into the hydrogen tank 12 is not possible and postpones (or suspends) the start of hydrogen filling in step S28. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, for example, if the temperature of the hydrogen storage alloy is 20°C, which is higher than the reference temperature of 10°C, the pressure in the hydrogen tank 12 will exceed the hydrogen supply pressure (filling pressure) even if hydrogen filling is not yet complete. In such a case, the control device 80 postpones (or suspends) the start of hydrogen filling and waits for the temperature of the hydrogen tank 12 to decrease.

[0031] After the processing in step S26 or S28, the control device 80 returns to the processing in step S18. This allows the control device 80 to appropriately control the supply of hydrogen to the first tank port 20 according to the hydrogen storage alloy built into the hydrogen tank 12, while monitoring the pressure and temperature of the hydrogen tank 12.

[0032] The operation flow shown in Figure 2 above is also performed in the second tank port 30 and the third tank port 40. In this case, the control device 80 can independently execute the operation flow shown in Figure 2 for the three tank ports 20, 30, and 40.

[0033] Referring to Figure 5, one example of the operation of the hydrogen refueling system 10 will be described. As shown in Figure 5, in this example of operation, hydrogen tanks 12 containing the first type of hydrogen storage alloy A are attached to the three tank ports 20, 30, and 40, respectively.

[0034] At the first tank port 20, the temperature of the hydrogen tank 12 is 10°C, and the pressure (storage pressure) of the hydrogen tank 12 is 0.35 MPa. In this case, the state of the hydrogen storage alloy A in the hydrogen tank 12 is considered to be within range V shown in Figure 3, and the amount of stored hydrogen is below the upper limit of 1.2 wt%. Furthermore, the pressure (storage pressure) of the hydrogen tank 12 is also below the hydrogen supply pressure (filling pressure) of 0.4 MPa. Therefore, filling of the hydrogen tank 12 is started (or continued) at the first tank port 20.

[0035] At the second tank port 30, the temperature of the hydrogen tank 12 is 20°C, and the pressure (storage pressure) of the hydrogen tank 12 is 0.50 MPa. In this case, the state of the hydrogen storage alloy A in the hydrogen tank 12 is considered to be within the range W shown in Figure 3, and the amount of hydrogen stored is below the upper limit of 1.2 wt%. However, the pressure (storage pressure) of the hydrogen tank 12 exceeds the hydrogen supply pressure (filling pressure). Therefore, filling of the hydrogen tank 12 is temporarily suspended (or suspended) at the second tank port 30.

[0036] At the third tank port 40, the temperature of the hydrogen tank 12 is 10°C, and the pressure (storage pressure) of the hydrogen tank 12 is 0.4 MPa. In this case, the state of the hydrogen storage alloy A inside the hydrogen tank 12 is considered to be within range X shown in Figure 3, and the amount of hydrogen stored has reached the upper limit of 1.2 wt%. Therefore, at the third tank port 40, it is determined that the filling of the hydrogen tank 12 is complete.

[0037] Referring to Figure 6, another example of the operation of the hydrogen refueling system 10 will be described. As shown in Figure 6, in this example, hydrogen tanks 12 containing the second type of hydrogen storage alloy B are attached to the first tank port 20 and the second tank port 30, respectively, and a hydrogen tank 12 containing the first type of hydrogen storage alloy A is attached to the third tank port 40.

[0038] At the first tank port 20, the temperature of the hydrogen tank 12 is 10°C, and the pressure (storage pressure) of the hydrogen tank 12 is 0.5 MPa. In this case, the state of the hydrogen storage alloy B in the hydrogen tank 12 is considered to be within range Y shown in Figure 4, and the amount of stored hydrogen is 1.0 wt% or less, which is below the upper limit of 1.4 wt%. Furthermore, the pressure (storage pressure) of the hydrogen tank 12 is also below the hydrogen supply pressure (filling pressure) of 0.6 MPa. Therefore, filling of the hydrogen tank 12 is started (or continued) at the first tank port 20.

[0039] At the second tank port 30, the temperature of the hydrogen tank 12 is 10°C, and the pressure (storage pressure) of the hydrogen tank 12 is 0.60 MPa. In this case, the state of the hydrogen storage alloy B in the hydrogen tank 12 is considered to be within range Z shown in Figure 4, and the amount of stored hydrogen has reached the upper limit of 1.4 wt%. However, the pressure (storage pressure) of the hydrogen tank 12 exceeds the hydrogen supply pressure (filling pressure). Therefore, at the second tank port 30, it is determined that the filling of the hydrogen tank 12 is complete.

[0040] At the third tank port 40, the temperature of the hydrogen tank 12 is 10°C, and the pressure (storage pressure) of the hydrogen tank 12 is 0.4 MPa. In this case, the state of the hydrogen storage alloy A inside the hydrogen tank 12 is considered to be within range X shown in Figure 3, and the amount of hydrogen stored has reached the upper limit of 1.2 wt%. Therefore, at the third tank port 40, it is determined that the filling of the hydrogen tank 12 is complete. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0041] 2: Hydrogen supply source, 4: Hydrogen supply route, 10: Hydrogen refueling system, 12: Hydrogen tank, 18: Tank dock, 20, 30, 40: Tank ports, 26, 36, 46: Pressure sensors, 28, 38, 48: Temperature sensors, 50, 60, 70: Port supply routes, 52, 62, 72: Solenoid valves, 54, 64, 74: Pressure controllers, 80: Control device

Claims

1. A hydrogen filling system for a hydrogen tank containing a hydrogen storage material, The first tank port to which the hydrogen tank is detachably attached, A first pressure sensor is attached to the first tank port for detecting the pressure of the hydrogen tank, A first temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the hydrogen tank, which is attached to the first tank port, A hydrogen supply unit that controls the supply of hydrogen to the first tank port based on the value detected by the first pressure sensor and the value detected by the first temperature sensor, Equipped with, The hydrogen supply unit is configured to change the control parameters used for supplying hydrogen to the first tank port according to the type of hydrogen storage material in the hydrogen tank attached to the first tank port. Hydrogen refueling system.

2. The first tank port has a hydrogen supply port connected to the hydrogen supply unit and a sensor port on which the first pressure sensor and the first temperature sensor are located. The hydrogen filling system according to claim 1, wherein when the hydrogen tank is attached to the first tank port, the hydrogen supply port is connected to one end of the hydrogen tank and the sensor port is connected to the other end of the hydrogen tank.

3. The hydrogen tank is equipped with an information tag that describes information that can identify the type of hydrogen storage material it contains. The hydrogen supply unit is configured to be able to read the information tag of the hydrogen tank attached to the first tank port, according to claim 1, the hydrogen filling system.

4. The hydrogen supply unit is A first port supply path for supplying hydrogen to the first tank port, A shut-off valve is provided in the first port supply path and opens and closes the first port supply path, A pressure controller is provided in the first port supply path and adjusts the pressure of the hydrogen supplied to the first tank port, A control device connected to the first pressure sensor and the first temperature sensor, which controls the operation of the on / off valve and the operation of the pressure controller, It has, The hydrogen filling system according to claim 1, wherein the control device stores control parameters for hydrogen supply for each of several types of hydrogen storage materials.

5. The hydrogen tank is detachably attached to a second tank port, A second pressure sensor for detecting the pressure of the hydrogen tank, which is attached to the second tank port, A second temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the hydrogen tank, which is attached to the second tank port, Furthermore, The hydrogen supply unit is Based on the value detected by the second pressure sensor and the value detected by the second temperature sensor, the supply of hydrogen to the second tank port is controlled, The hydrogen filling system according to claim 1, further configured to change control parameters for supplying hydrogen to the second tank port depending on the type of hydrogen storage material in the hydrogen tank attached to the second tank port.

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