Method and equipment for providing media
A multi-layered thermal management system with a common coolant storage device addresses heat management challenges in hydrogen tank stations, ensuring efficient temperature control and reduced costs by using liquid cooling mediums.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-03-05
- Publication Date
- 2026-03-25
AI Technical Summary
Existing hydrogen tank stations face challenges in efficient heat management, particularly when handling liquefied hydrogen, which requires precise temperature control and energy-efficient operation, and the use of multiple dispensing units complicates thermal management and increases costs.
A multi-layered thermal management system with a common coolant storage device for each supply path, utilizing liquid cooling mediums, reduces thermal losses and eliminates the need for redundant cooling equipment, ensuring efficient operation and reduced space requirements.
The system achieves efficient temperature control of hydrogen, reduces energy consumption, and minimizes equipment costs by using a common coolant storage device, enhancing overall thermal efficiency and flexibility.
Smart Images
Figure 2026509799000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a method for providing a medium, particularly hydrogen, and more particularly to heat management therein. The present invention also relates to corresponding equipment, particularly hydrogen tank stations, and to the use of such equipment.
[0002] For example, hydrogen used as fuel for vehicles can be provided at so-called hydrogen tank stations. At hydrogen tank stations, typically two system areas can be distinguished. The first system area is involved in the compression, storage, conditioning, and cooling of hydrogen. The second system area includes dispensers and associated tank filling devices, such as emergency disconnect / filling couplings, and filling hoses.
[0003] One particular challenge at such hydrogen tank stations or other equipment for providing a medium is often heat management.
[0004] Disclosure of the Invention The object of the present invention is solved by a method and equipment for providing a medium, and a method of using the equipment, having the features of the independent claims. Preferred embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims and the following description.
[0005] Advantages of the Invention The present invention is directed to providing a medium, particularly hydrogen, such as at a hydrogen tank station. In the following, the method and equipment for providing the medium will be mainly described. Here, the present invention will be described by taking an example of a hydrogen tank station mainly with respect to hydrogen as the medium. However, it should be noted that this method and equipment are also applicable to other media, particularly gases or (initially) liquefied gases. In that case, for example, the temperature control of oxygen or nitrogen, particularly when the released thermal energy is further utilized, is taken into consideration.
[0006] The basic structure of such equipment is such that the equipment comprises a first medium storage device, for example, a storage tank for liquefied medium or hydrogen; a second medium storage device, for example, one or more high-pressure storage devices; and a dispenser. A delivery unit, for example, a pump, particularly a cryopump, may be provided to supply the medium from the first medium storage device to the second medium storage device. From there, the medium can be supplied to the dispenser, allowing the medium or hydrogen to be released within the framework of a tank replenishment process, for example, to a vehicle (or other consumption unit).
[0007] As already mentioned, thermal management (or thermomanagement) for such equipment or its operation is a crucial aspect, especially in ensuring that the equipment operates as efficiently and energy-efficiently as possible. Thermal management works to ensure that a medium, such as compressed hydrogen, is supplied to the vehicle at a controlled temperature, for example, as low as -40°C. Furthermore, various components can be cooled within the framework of thermal management. The cooling power required in this process is recovered, in particular, from the medium or hydrogen itself.
[0008] In the first medium storage device, hydrogen is typically stored as a liquid under a pressure of approximately 3 bar. However, under these conditions, hydrogen has a very low temperature, for example, of approximately -253°C. For media other than hydrogen, the exact conditions such as temperature and pressure may differ. That is, before buffering in the second medium storage device, the medium or hydrogen must usually first be heated to a higher temperature, for example, room temperature. For this purpose, a first heat exchanger (or heat transfer device), and preferably a second heat exchanger as well, may be provided, through which the medium or hydrogen is supplied from the first medium storage device to the second medium storage device by a delivery unit.
[0009] In the first heat exchanger, the medium is heated by a first coolant from a first coolant storage device (e.g., a coolant container, a so-called low-temperature coolant container) to, for example, about -90°C in the case of hydrogen. As it flows through the first heat exchanger, the first coolant is cooled to, for example, about -43°C in this case, and thus the low-temperature thermal energy of the hydrogen is recovered for subsequent use. In the second heat exchanger, the medium is heated by a second coolant from a second coolant storage device (e.g., a coolant container, a so-called high-temperature coolant container) to, for example, room temperature in the case of hydrogen. Further low-temperature thermal energy is recovered, thereby keeping the second coolant storage device at, for example, about 20°C. The second (or high-temperature) coolant can be reused in the process to cool components such as delivery units, such as electrically or hydraulically driven pumps or cryopumps (compressors). A first (or low-temperature) coolant can be used to cool the hot, compressed hydrogen (or other medium) from a second medium storage device in a dispenser (or filler during vehicle tank refueling). For this purpose, a dispenser heat exchanger may be provided, for example, as part of the dispenser.
[0010] The connection of different fluid flows, and the resulting recovery of low-temperature thermal energy, enables high overall thermal efficiency. Furthermore, there is no need to install additional coolers to cool the high-temperature hydrogen in the dispenser to the desired tank replenishment temperature. This improves the overall efficiency of the system because it reduces power consumption.
[0011] However, using only one dispenser and one pump in a facility limits the processing capacity of the medium. That is, to increase the processing capacity of such a facility (e.g., a hydrogen tank station), multiple dispensing units can be used to supply the medium from a first medium storage device to a second medium storage device. To this end, multiple supply routes may be provided, each having one of the multiple dispensing units. Furthermore, multiple dispensers may be provided instead of just one, and sufficient supply can be provided to them under multiple supply routes.
[0012] In other words, this is a parallel-operating, multi-layered compression system, enabling high availability and flexibility. However, the thermal management system described above is adapted to a single delivery unit; simply applying the aforementioned thermal management system in a multi-layered manner to each of the multiple supply paths, while essentially enabling the operation of the equipment, leaves room for improvement in terms of efficiency and could lead to some problems.
[0013] Against this backdrop, it is proposed that each of the multiple supply paths be provided with one delivery unit, for example, one pump (cryo-pump or compressor) and a first heat exchanger, and in one embodiment, a second heat exchanger as well. However, for the multiple supply paths, there is (only) one common first coolant storage device having a first cooling medium, and each first heat exchanger receives the first cooling medium through the first coolant storage device. In the case of a second heat exchanger, for the multiple supply paths, there is (only) one common second coolant storage device having a second cooling medium, and each second heat exchanger receives the second cooling medium through the second coolant storage device.
[0014] Then, through the first coolant storage device, one or each of the multiple dispenser heat exchangers can receive a further supply of the first coolant medium. The second coolant medium from the second cooling device can be further used to cool one or more other components, such as a dispensing unit.
[0015] The use of a common (or combined) first coolant storage device, and especially a common (or combined) second coolant storage device, for every individual supply path with a dispensing unit ensures that all individual pumps can be thermally coupled to each other without issue. At the same time, since no valve block is required, the cost for mechanical piping is significantly reduced compared to the use of multiple individual first or second coolant storage devices (e.g., coolant containers). Furthermore, the need for a complex overfill monitoring and protection concept with complex control software is eliminated. All these measures ensure that each dispenser connected to the equipment is always available, regardless of the operation of the individual dispensing units.
[0016] The use of a common first coolant storage device minimizes ambient heat injection into the first coolant circulation path containing the first coolant. This is because the use of a common first coolant storage device instead of multiple interconnected small coolant storage devices or containers significantly reduces the overall surface area facing the environment. This increases the overall thermal efficiency of the equipment. Any remaining small heat injection can be compensated for by the aforementioned cooling equipment, for example, by an integrated small cooling device. Consequently, on the one hand, it is ensured that the common first coolant storage device can be kept at a constant temperature regardless of the operation of the delivery unit. This enables the provision of the medium on demand, for example, by tank replenishment. On the other hand, the overall consumption of the medium, especially liquefied hydrogen, is reduced because it is no longer necessary to repeatedly run the pump to maintain the temperature of the first (low-temperature) coolant. Consequently, the overall performance and efficiency of the equipment are improved.
[0017] Furthermore, the use of a common first coolant storage device and a common second coolant storage device reduces the total area of the equipment, and for example, the space required for the hydrogen tank station, compared to the use of multiple individual first or second coolant storage devices.
[0018] In this case, the first and / or second cooling medium are preferably liquid cooling mediums, i.e., coolants. The first and second heat exchangers are set up accordingly to transfer thermal energy between the medium (e.g., hydrogen) and the liquid first and second cooling mediums. In cryogenic technology, so-called thin-plate heat transfer devices (or generally air-medium heat transfer devices or air-medium heat exchangers) are often used, in which the cryogenic medium is vaporized or heated by heat injection from the surroundings. Because heat transfer on the air side is limited, these typically have to be constructed on a very large scale. Moreover, the thin plates can freeze, which often leads to the redundant construction of such thin-plate heat transfer devices. The use of liquid cooling mediums, or heat transfer devices or heat exchangers set up accordingly, i.e., so-called refrigerant-medium heat transfer devices or refrigerant-medium heat exchangers, improves heat transfer compared to the use of air (or other gaseous cooling mediums), and at the same time eliminates the need for redundant construction.
[0019] One embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown in the drawings, and the following description will be given with reference to these drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0020] [Figure 1] A schematic representation of the equipment according to the present invention in one preferred embodiment is shown. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0021] Figure 1 schematically shows the apparatus 100 of the present invention in one preferred embodiment, in which the method according to the present invention can also be implemented. The apparatus 100 is used to provide a medium, for example, hydrogen. Exemplarily, the apparatus is a hydrogen tank station.
[0022] The system comprises a first medium storage device 111, a second medium storage device 112, and, as an example, two dispensers 140.1, 140.2. The first medium storage device 111 may be a storage tank, in particular for liquefied media, for example, liquefied hydrogen or other liquefied gases. Hydrogen may be stored there at, for example, about 3 bar and -253°C. The second medium storage device 112 may be a high-pressure storage device, and may have one or more high-pressure storage units, for example, in particular for gaseous media, for example, hydrogen; as an example, the second medium storage device 112 may have two high-pressure storage units 112.1, 112.2 that can be operated in parallel.
[0023] Each of the two exemplary dispensers 140.1 and 140.2 receives a supply of a medium, for example, hydrogen, from a second medium storage device 112; i.e., hydrogen is supplied from the second medium storage device 112 to the dispenser. Dispenser 140.1, as an example, has a dispenser heat exchanger 141.1 and a tank replenishment interface 142.1. The dispenser heat exchanger 141.1 can cool the medium to a desired or required temperature, for example, necessary for a tank replenishment process. The tank replenishment interface 142.1 can establish a connection to, for example, a vehicle 190.1 or its tank to be replenished. Of course, dispenser 140.1 may have other components as needed for a tank replenishment process, but these are not relevant here. Dispenser 140.2, as an example, has a dispenser heat exchanger 141.2 and a tank replenishment interface 142.2 to enable tank replenishment to a vehicle 190.2. In this case, the functional configuration of dispenser 140.2 may correspond to that of dispenser 140.1. Thus, the equipment 100 is set up to supply the medium M from the second medium storage device 112 to each of the multiple dispensers 140.1, 140.2. Naturally, there may be yet another dispenser of this type (or a different type), in which case it may also receive the medium from the second medium storage device 112 and be intended for tank replenishment to the vehicle. Naturally, if necessary, for example, only one of the two dispensers shown may be used, for example, if one of the dispensers is malfunctioning, needs maintenance, or should not be used for any other reason. Similarly, if there are more than two dispensers, any subset thereof may be used.
[0024] Furthermore, the equipment 100 includes multiple supply routes, for example, two supply routes 120.1 and 120.2. Here, a supply route can be understood as a separate connection between the first media storage device 111 and the second media storage device 112, through which the media can be supplied from the first media storage device 111 to the second media storage device 112. Here, each supply route can operate on its own, independently of the other supply routes.
[0025] In this case, each of the multiple supply routes has a delivery unit, such as a pump, particularly a cryopump, and a first heat exchanger, and in one embodiment, it also has two heat exchangers. In the illustrated example, supply route 120.1 has a delivery unit 121.1, a first heat exchanger 131.1, and a second heat exchanger 132.1. The delivery unit 121.1 can supply the medium M from the first medium storage device 111 to the second medium storage device 112 via the first heat exchanger 131.1 and then via the second heat exchanger 132.1. Furthermore, in the illustrated example, supply route 120.2 has a delivery unit 121.1, a first heat exchanger 131.2, and a second heat exchanger 132.2. The delivery unit 121.2 can supply the medium M from the first medium storage device 111 through the first heat exchanger 131.2 and then through the second heat exchanger 132.2 to the second medium storage device 112. Thus, both supply paths 120.1 and 120.2 may be configured in particular of the same type and can be used in parallel and of the same type. Of course, there may be yet another supply path of this type, which may also be in parallel with the illustrated supply paths of the same type.
[0026] The equipment 100 is set up to supply the medium M from the first medium storage device 111 to the second medium storage device 112 via each of the plurality of supply paths 120.1, 120.2 as described above. Of course, if necessary, only one of the two supply paths shown, for example, can be used, which may be the case, for example, when one of the supply paths is faulty, when it needs to be maintained, or for other reasons when it should not be used. Similarly, if there are more than two supply paths, any subset of them can also be used.
[0027] Furthermore, the equipment 100 has a common first coolant storage device 151 with the first cooling medium K1 for the plurality of supply paths, here for the two supply paths 120.1, 120.2. The first coolant storage device 112 may be, for example, a coolant tank. The equipment 100 is set up to supply the first cooling medium K1 to each of the first heat exchangers, here the heat exchangers 131.1, 131.2, via the first coolant storage device 151. This can be understood in particular as heating the medium M, which is also guided through each of the first heat exchangers 131.1, 131.2 and also guided or conducted through each of the first heat exchangers 131.1, 131.2 respectively, to the desired temperature as already explained above. At this time, hydrogen as a medium can be heated to, for example, -90 °C, whereby the first cooling medium K1 is cooled to, for example, about -43 °C. Heat transfer takes place as is normal in a heat exchanger. As already mentioned, it is preferable to consider the first cooling medium as a liquid. Mixtures of, for example, water and antifreeze agents such as glycols (such as ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, etc.) and salts (such as potassium formate) are also suitable.
[0028] In one embodiment, the facility 100 is also set up to supply a first cooling medium K1 to each of a plurality of dispenser heat exchangers, here dispenser heat exchangers 141.1, 141.2, via a first coolant storage device 151. This can also be understood in particular as the first cooling medium K1 guiding through each of the dispenser heat exchangers 141.1, 141.2 and also cooling, as already explained above, a medium M that is guided or conducted through each of the dispenser heat exchangers 141.1, 141.2 to the desired temperature for tank replenishment. At this time, hydrogen as the medium can be cooled, for example, to about -40°C. Heat transfer takes place as is normal in a heat exchanger.
[0029] In one embodiment, the facility 100 also has a cooling device 153, whereby the first cooling medium K1 is cooled in the first coolant storage device 151. The cooling device 153 may be, for example, an integrated small cooling device, whereby it can compensate for any remaining, for example ambient, minor heat injection.
[0030] Furthermore, in one embodiment, the equipment 100 has a common second coolant storage device 152 having a second coolant K2 for multiple supply paths, in this case two supply paths 120.1 and 120.2. The second coolant storage device 152 may be, for example, a coolant tank. The equipment 100 is set up to supply the second coolant K2 to each of the second heat exchangers, i.e., in this case the second heat exchangers 132.1 and 132.2, via the second coolant storage device 152. This can be understood in particular as the second coolant K2 being guided through each of the second heat exchangers 132.1 and 132.2, and the medium M being guided or conducted through each of the second heat exchangers 132.1 and 132.2, respectively, to the desired temperature, as already described above. At this time, the hydrogen as the medium can be heated to, for example, approximately room temperature; the second cooling medium K2 can then be maintained at, for example, approximately 20°C. Heat transfer takes place as is typical in a heat exchanger. As already mentioned, it is preferable that a liquid second cooling medium be considered. For example, a mixture of water and an antifreeze agent such as glycol (e.g., ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, etc.) or salt (e.g., potassium formate) is also suitable.
[0031] In both the first and second cooling media, a so-called refrigerant having the lowest possible operating temperature is used as the cooling medium.
[0032] In one embodiment, the equipment 100 is also set up to utilize the second cooling medium K2 from the second cooling device 152 for cooling one or more other components; such components are shown here by reference numeral 160, exemplifying and representative of such components. Such components, for example, the delivery units 121.1, 121.2 or their components (e.g., electronics, hydraulic components), can be efficiently cooled in this manner.
Claims
1. In a method for providing a medium (M), particularly hydrogen, the medium (M) is supplied from a first medium storage device (111) to a second medium storage device (112) via a plurality of supply routes (120.1, 120.2), and the medium (M) is supplied from the second medium storage device (112) to one or more dispensers (140.1, 140.2) for the purpose of providing the medium, particularly for tank replenishment to vehicles (190.1, 190.2). In each of the multiple supply paths, the medium is supplied from the first medium storage device (11) to the second medium storage device (112) via the respective first heat exchangers (131.1, 131.2) by a dispensing unit (121.1, 121.2), and A method wherein each of the first heat exchangers (131.1, 131.2) receives a supply of a first cooling medium (K1), particularly liquid, via a common first coolant storage device (151).
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the medium (M) is supplied from the second medium storage device (112) to a plurality of dispensers for serving via one dispenser heat exchanger or via one of a plurality of dispenser heat exchangers (141.1, 141.2).
3. The method according to claim 2, wherein one or each of the plurality of dispenser heat exchangers (141.1, 141.2) further receives a supply of the first cooling medium (K1) via the first coolant storage device (151).
4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first cooling medium (K1) is further cooled in the first coolant storage device (151) by a cooling device (153).
5. In each of the multiple supply paths (120.1, 120.2), the medium is supplied from the first medium storage device (111) to the second medium storage device (112) via the respective first heat exchangers (131.1, 131.2) and then via the respective second heat exchangers (132.1, 132.2) by the respective delivery unit, and The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein each of the second heat exchangers (132.1, 132.2) receives a supply of a second cooling medium (K2), particularly liquid, via a common second coolant storage device (152).
6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the second cooling medium (K2) from the second cooling device is further used to cool one or more other components, in particular a dispensing unit.
7. The method according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the first cooling medium (K1) is used at a lower temperature than the second cooling medium (K2).
8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the medium (M) is stored in a liquefied state in the first storage device (111).
9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein hydrogen is used as the medium (M).
10. In a facility (100) for providing a medium (M), particularly hydrogen, the facility (100) comprises a first medium storage device (111), a second medium storage device (112), and one or more dispensers (140.1, 140.2), The equipment (100) includes a plurality of supply routes (120.1, 120.2), and each of the plurality of supply routes has a delivery unit (121.1, 121.2) and a first heat exchanger. The equipment (100) is set up to supply the medium from the first medium storage device (111) to the second medium storage device (112) via the first heat exchanger through each of the plurality of supply paths by the delivery unit, The equipment (100) is set up to provide the medium from the second medium storage device (112) to one or each of the plurality of dispensers (140.1, 140.2), particularly for the purpose of refilling a vehicle's tank. The equipment (100) has a common first coolant storage device (151) having a first coolant, in particular a liquid, for a plurality of supply routes, and the equipment is set up to supply the first coolant to each of the first heat exchangers via the first coolant storage device.
11. Each of the multiple supply paths further has a second heat exchanger (132.1, 132.2), The equipment (100) is set up to supply the medium from the first medium storage device to the second medium storage device via each of the plurality of supply paths, each by the delivery unit through the first heat exchanger, and then each through the second heat exchanger. The apparatus (100) according to claim 10, wherein the apparatus (100) has a common second coolant storage device (152) having a second coolant, in particular, a liquid, for a plurality of supply routes, and the apparatus is set up to supply the second coolant to each of the second heat exchangers via the second coolant storage device.
12. The apparatus (100) according to claim 10 or 11, set up for carrying out the method described in any one of claims 1 to 9.
13. The equipment (100) according to any one of claims 10 to 12, configured as a hydrogen tank station.
14. A method of using the equipment (100) according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein hydrogen as a medium is supplied to a vehicle via tank replenishment.