Hydrogen and fuel supply stations

Abstract

To provide a hydrogen supply station capable of achieving both of reduction of a site area and safety measures.SOLUTION: A hydrogen supply station 1 includes: rear equipment 5 compressing hydrogen gas from a hydrogen gas source with a compressor 2, storing the compressed hydrogen gas in an accumulator 3, and supplying the hydrogen gas from the accumulator; and a filling mechanism unit 6 supplying the hydrogen gas supplied from the rear equipment to a filling hose unit 8. The hydrogen gas is filled into a vehicle (hydrogen fuel vehicle) M from the filling hose unit. The hydrogen supply station is installed along a road 50. A barrier 7 is provided vertically to the ground between the filling mechanism unit and the filling hose unit, and the filling hose unit is disposed on the road side of the barrier, and the rear equipment and the filling mechanism unit are disposed on the side opposite from the road side of the barrier. Down-stream side piping of the filling mechanism unit and a filling hose 24 of the filling hose unit can be connected with each other in the ground, and an emergency release joint 19 can be provided on the filling hose positioned in a lower part of the filling mechanism unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] In recent years, fuel cells, which are clean and energy efficient because they do not emit carbon dioxide, have attracted attention, and the development of fuel cell vehicles that use hydrogen gas as fuel has been actively pursued. In addition, there is an urgent need to establish hydrogen supply stations to supply hydrogen gas to these fuel cell vehicles.

[0002] A known conventional hydrogen supply station, as described in Patent Document 1, for example, is equipped with a pressure accumulator that stores hydrogen at high pressure, a compressor that pressurizes hydrogen supplied from an external source and fills it into the pressure accumulator, and a hydrogen filling device that fills vehicles with hydrogen from the pressure accumulator. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-89909 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above-mentioned hydrogen supply stations, if hydrogen gas, which is flammable, leaks from the hydrogen filling device, there is a possibility that the hydrogen gas will ignite if there is a fire nearby, and a hydrogen gas explosion could cause damage to buildings and other facilities around the hydrogen supply station. Therefore, under the High Pressure Gas Safety Act, safety measures such as the installation of protective walls around the hydrogen supply station are required.

[0005] Therefore, when installing hydrogen filling equipment within a hydrogen filling station, there are restrictions such as having to be a certain distance from a public road (8m under the current High Pressure Gas Safety Act), and the need for a large site area has been one of the challenges in popularizing hydrogen filling stations.

[0006] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to achieve both a compact site for a hydrogen supply station and safety measures. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a hydrogen supply station comprising: a rear facility which compresses hydrogen gas from a hydrogen gas source using a compressor, stores the compressed hydrogen gas in an accumulator, and supplies hydrogen gas from the accumulator; and a filling mechanism unit which supplies the hydrogen gas supplied from the rear facility to a filling hose unit, and which fills a vehicle with hydrogen gas from the filling hose unit. In a hydrogen supply station installed facing a road, a barrier is provided vertically to the ground between the filling mechanism unit, in which hydrogen gas may remain, and the filling hose unit, and the filling hose unit is disposed on the road side of the barrier, and the rear facility and the filling mechanism unit are disposed on the opposite side of the barrier from the road side, and a barrier is provided below the filling mechanism unit. Full of The filling hose is characterized by having an emergency release joint.

[0008] According to the present invention, a barrier is provided between the filling mechanism unit and the filling hose unit, where hydrogen gas may become trapped. Therefore, even if hydrogen gas explodes in the filling mechanism unit or rear equipment, the barrier can minimize damage to the road side. As a result, the distance from the filling mechanism unit or rear equipment to the road can be shortened, making it possible to compact the hydrogen supply station site while maintaining safety measures. Furthermore, by providing an emergency release joint on the filling hose in the filling hose unit, it is possible to prevent leakage of hydrogen gas due to collapse of the filling hose unit or breakage of the filling hose, thereby ensuring safety.

[0009] In the above-mentioned hydrogen supply station, by connecting the downstream piping of the filling mechanism unit and the filling hose of the filling hose unit underground, hydrogen gas does not stagnate or leak within the filling hose unit installed on the road side of the barrier, preventing an explosion from affecting the road side.

[0010] In addition, by providing an emergency disconnect joint on the filling hose located at the bottom of the filling mechanism unit, the emergency disconnect joint splits into two before the piping or filling hose is damaged due to excessive pulling, such as when the vehicle is accidentally started, thereby preventing hydrogen gas from leaking to the outside, making it safe.

[0011] Furthermore, the downstream piping of the filling mechanism unit can be introduced into the filling hose unit through the ground and connected to the filling hose of the filling hose unit, so that hydrogen gas does not stagnate or leak within the filling hose unit installed on the road side of the barrier, preventing the effects of an explosion from affecting the road side.

[0013] By integrating the rear facility and the filling mechanism unit, the hydrogen supply station can be further space-saving.

[0014] Furthermore, the present invention provides a fuel supply station that further comprises an electric charging mechanism unit that supplies electricity to any of the above hydrogen supply stations, an electric hose unit that charges a vehicle with electricity from the electric charging mechanism unit, a liquid fuel supply mechanism unit that supplies liquid fuel, and a liquid fuel supply unit that supplies liquid fuel to the vehicle from the liquid fuel supply mechanism unit. This fuel supply station can accommodate vehicles using any type of fuel. Effect of the Invention

[0015] As described above, the hydrogen supply station and the like according to the present invention makes it possible to achieve both a compact site and safety measures. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic plan view showing the overall configuration of a first embodiment of a hydrogen supply station according to the present invention. [Diagram 2] 2 is a schematic side view for explaining an example of a connection structure between a piping of a filling mechanism unit and a filling hose of a filling hose unit of the hydrogen supply station shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Diagram 3] 1. FIG. 4 is a schematic side view for explaining another example of the connection structure between the piping of the filling mechanism unit and the filling hose of the filling hose unit of the hydrogen supply station shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view showing the overall configuration of a second embodiment of a hydrogen supply station according to the present invention. [Diagram 5] 1 is a schematic plan view showing an overall configuration of an embodiment of a fuel supply station according to the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0018] 1 shows a first embodiment of a hydrogen supply station according to the present invention. This hydrogen supply station 1 is installed facing a road 50 and includes rear equipment 5 to which hydrogen gas is supplied from a hydrogen gas source (not shown), a filling mechanism unit 6 (6A, 6B) that supplies hydrogen gas supplied from the rear equipment 5 to a filling hose unit 8 (8A-8D), a barrier 7 installed perpendicular to the ground on the road 50 side of the filling mechanism unit 6, a filling hose unit 8 installed on the road 50 side of the barrier 7, and a protective wall 9 that surrounds the above-mentioned equipment, etc.

[0019] The rear equipment 5 has the same device configuration and operation as those installed in conventional hydrogen supply stations, etc., and pressurizes hydrogen gas supplied from a hydrogen gas source using a compressor 2 to fill the accumulator 3, stores the hydrogen gas at high pressure, and sends it to a filling mechanism unit 6. The barrier 4 is provided to prevent the compressor 2 or accumulator 3 from being affected in the event that hydrogen gas leaks and ignites, causing an explosion, etc.

[0020] The filling mechanism unit 6 has the same device configuration and operation as those installed in conventional hydrogen supply stations, etc., and includes a precooler 12, a shutoff valve 13, a flow meter 14, etc., and is provided to send hydrogen gas supplied from the accumulator 3 to the filling hose unit 8. Other devices etc. provided in the filling mechanism unit 6 will be described later.

[0021] The barrier 7 is provided to minimize damage to the road 50 even if an explosion occurs due to ignition of hydrogen gas inside the filling mechanism unit 6 where hydrogen gas may accumulate, and is installed vertically to the ground between the filling mechanism unit 6 and the filling hose unit 8. Since the barrier 7 needs to minimize damage from the impact of a hydrogen gas explosion or the like, it is of sufficient size and thickness (e.g., a height of 2 m or more and a thickness of 12 cm or more) and made of a material that can withstand the impact of a hydrogen gas explosion or the like (e.g., made of reinforced concrete).

[0022] The filling hose unit 8 has the same device configuration and operation as those installed in conventional hydrogen supply stations, etc., and is installed to fill the hydrogen gas supplied from the filling mechanism unit 6 into a hydrogen-fueled vehicle M, etc. Other devices, etc. installed in the filling hose unit 8 will be described later.

[0023] The protective wall 9 has the same configuration as those installed in conventional hydrogen supply stations and is installed to minimize the impact of a hydrogen gas explosion caused by a hydrogen gas leak, etc., from extending to the outside of the hydrogen supply station 1, and is installed so as to surround the rear equipment 5, filling mechanism unit 6 and filling hose unit 8.

[0024] According to the above configuration, by providing the barrier 7, even if an explosion occurs inside the filling mechanism unit 6 due to ignition of hydrogen gas, etc., damage to the road 50 side can be kept to a minimum, and the distance D1 from the road 50 to the barrier 7 can be set to 8 m or less, thereby making it possible to compact the site of the hydrogen supply station 1. Furthermore, because the barrier 7 can minimize damage to the road 50 side even if an explosion occurs in the rear equipment 5 due to ignition of hydrogen gas, etc., the distance D2 from the rear equipment 5 to the barrier 7 can also be set to 8 m or less.

[0025] Next, an example of the device configuration of filling mechanism unit 6 and filling hose unit 8, and a connection structure between the piping of filling mechanism unit 6 and filling hose 24 of filling hose unit 8 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0026] The filling mechanism unit 6 is provided with a flow control valve 11, a precooler 12, a shutoff valve 13, a flow meter 14, a thermometer 23, and a pressure gauge 22 in a piping 16 connected to the rear equipment 5, and is connected to a filling hose 24 of the filling hose unit 8 at a connection part 18. A depressurization valve 15 is provided in a depressurization piping 17 branched off from the piping 16.

[0027] The filling hose unit 8 includes a filling hose 24 having a filling nozzle 26 attached to one end, a nozzle hanger 25 for hanging the filling nozzle 26, a filling start switch 28, a filling end switch 27, a filling amount indicator 29, etc. The filling hose 24 passes through a hole 21 drilled in the barrier wall 7 and is supported underground by a filling hose support part 20, and an emergency release joint 19 is disposed on the filling hose 24 between the filling hose support part 20 and the connection part 18.

[0028] By connecting the piping 16 downstream of the filling mechanism unit 6 and the filling hose 24 of the filling hose unit 8 underground, hydrogen gas does not stagnate or leak within the filling hose unit 8 installed on the road 50 side of the barrier 7, preventing an explosion from affecting the road 50 side.

[0029] In addition, by providing an emergency breakaway joint 19 on the filling hose 24 located at the bottom of the filling mechanism unit 6, the emergency breakaway joint 19 can be split into two before the piping 16 or filling hose 24 is damaged due to excessive pulling, such as when the hydrogen-fueled vehicle M is erroneously started, thereby preventing hydrogen gas from leaking to the outside.

[0030] Fig. 3 shows another example of the device configuration of the filling mechanism unit 6 and the filling hose unit 8, and the connection structure between the piping of the filling mechanism unit 6 and the filling hose 24 of the filling hose unit 8. In this figure, the same components as those of the filling mechanism unit 6 etc. shown in Fig. 2 are given the same reference numerals and their description will be omitted.

[0031] The downstream piping 30 of the filling mechanism unit 6 shown in Figure 3 is inserted through hole 21 in the barrier 7 and introduced into the filling hose unit 8 through the ground, and is connected to the filling hose 24 within the filling hose unit 8 via a connection part 31 and an emergency release joint 32.

[0032] By introducing the downstream piping 30 of the filling mechanism unit 6 into the filling hose unit 8 underground and connecting it to the filling hose 24 of the filling hose unit 8, hydrogen gas does not stagnate or leak within the filling hose unit 8 installed on the road 50 side of the barrier 7, and the effects of an explosion on the road 50 side are prevented.

[0033] Furthermore, by providing an emergency release joint 32 on the filling hose 24 in the filling hose unit 8, leakage of hydrogen gas due to the collapse of the filling hose unit 8 or the cutting of the filling hose 24 can be prevented.

[0034] Figure 4 shows a second embodiment of the hydrogen supply station of the present invention, and this hydrogen supply station 10 is an integration of the rear equipment 5 and filling mechanism unit 6 (6A, 6B) of the hydrogen supply station 1 shown in Figure 1, and differs from hydrogen supply station 1 in that it is provided with a filling mechanism device 36 (36A, 36B) within the rear equipment 35, but otherwise has the same configuration as hydrogen supply station 1. By integrating the rear equipment 5 and filling mechanism unit 6 in Figure 1, further space saving can be achieved.

[0035] FIG. 5 shows one embodiment of a fuel supply station according to the present invention. In addition to the hydrogen supply station 1 shown in FIG. 1, this fuel supply station 40 includes an electric charging mechanism unit 41 that supplies electricity, an electric hose unit 42 that charges the vehicle with electricity from the electric charging mechanism unit 41, a liquid fuel supply mechanism unit 43 that supplies liquid fuel such as gasoline, and a liquid fuel hose unit 44 that supplies liquid fuel from the liquid fuel supply mechanism unit 43 to the vehicle.

[0036] According to this fuel supply station 40, in addition to hydrogen, electricity and liquid fuel can be supplied to vehicles, and it can be used for vehicles using any type of fuel. In addition to the barrier 7, a barrier 47 having a similar configuration to the barrier 7 is provided to surround the electric charging mechanism unit 41 and the liquid fuel supply mechanism unit 43. When an explosion or the like caused by hydrogen gas occurs in the hydrogen filling mechanism unit 46 or the rear facility 5, the influence of the explosion can be prevented from reaching the electric charging mechanism unit 41 and the liquid fuel supply mechanism unit 43, and the distance D5 from the rear facility 5 to the barrier 7 can be set to 8 m or less. Furthermore, as a multi-fuel supply station, the distance D3 from the filling hose unit 48 to the electric hose unit 42 can be set to 8 m or less, and the distance D4 from the electric hose unit 42 to the liquid fuel hose unit 44 can be set to 6 m or less.

[0037] Furthermore, although the electric charging mechanism unit 41 and the electric hose unit 42, and the liquid fuel supply mechanism unit 43 and the liquid fuel hose unit 44 are each configured as separate entities, the electric charging mechanism unit 41 may be integrated into the electric hose unit 42, and the liquid fuel supply mechanism unit 43 may be integrated into the liquid fuel hose unit 44.

[0038] It should be noted that the above-described embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0039] 1, 10 Hydrogen refueling station 2. Compressor 3. Accumulator 4. Barriers 5 Rear equipment 6. Filling mechanism unit 7. Barriers 8 Filling hose unit 9 Protective wall 11 Flow control valve 12 Pre-cooler 13. Shutoff valve 14 Flow meter 15 Pressure release valve 16 Piping 17 Depressurization piping 18 Connection 19 Emergency release coupling 20 Filling hose support 21 holes 22 Pressure gauge 23 Thermometer 24 Filling hose 25 Nozzle Hanger 26 Filling Nozzle 27 Filling end switch 28 Filling start switch 29 Filling amount indicator 30 Downstream piping 31 Connection 32 Emergency release coupling 35 Rear equipment 36 Filling mechanism device 40 Fuel supply station 41 Electric charging mechanism unit 42 Electric Hose Unit 43 Liquid fuel supply mechanism unit 44 Liquid fuel hose unit 46 Hydrogen filling mechanism unit 47 Barrier 48 Filling hose unit 50 road

Claims

1. A hydrogen supply station is provided facing a road and includes a rear facility which pressurizes hydrogen gas from a hydrogen gas source using a compressor, stores the compressed hydrogen gas in a pressure accumulator, and supplies hydrogen gas from the pressure accumulator; and a filling mechanism unit which supplies the hydrogen gas supplied from the rear facility to a filling hose unit, and fills a vehicle with hydrogen gas from the filling hose unit. a barrier is provided between the filling mechanism unit, in which hydrogen gas may remain, and the filling hose unit, the barrier being perpendicular to the ground, the filling hose unit being disposed on the road side of the barrier, and the rear equipment and the filling mechanism unit being disposed on the opposite side of the barrier from the road side; A hydrogen supply station comprising: a filling hose located at a lower portion of the filling mechanism unit, the filling hose having an emergency release joint.

2. 2. The hydrogen supply station according to claim 1, wherein the downstream piping of the filling mechanism unit and the filling hose of the filling hose unit are connected underground.

3. 2. The hydrogen supply station according to claim 1, wherein a downstream pipe of the filling mechanism unit is introduced into the filling hose unit through the ground and is connected to a filling hose of the filling hose unit.

4. 4. The hydrogen supply station according to claim 3, wherein the filling hose in the filling hose unit is provided with an emergency disconnect coupling.

5. 5. The hydrogen supply station according to claim 1, wherein the rear facility and the filling mechanism unit are installed integrally.

6. 5. A fuel supply station comprising the hydrogen supply station according to claim 1, further comprising an electric charging mechanism unit for supplying electricity, an electric hose unit for charging a vehicle with electricity from the electric charging mechanism unit, a liquid fuel supplying mechanism unit for supplying liquid fuel, and a liquid fuel supplying unit for supplying liquid fuel from the liquid fuel supplying mechanism unit to the vehicle.

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