Sealing device for a hydrogen feeding system and corresponding system

Abstract

Sealing device (10) comprising a first interface wall (11) able to be associated with a tank module (110) of a hydrogen feeding system (100), a second interface wall (12) able to be associated with a fuel preparation module (111) of said hydrogen feeding system (100), at least one closed ring gasket (13) mounted on one of either said first interface wall (11) or said second interface wall (12), and at least one presser member (14) mounted on the other one of either said first interface wall (11) or said second interface wall (12).

Description

[0001] “SEALING DEVICE FOR A HYDROGEN FEEDING SYSTEM AND

[0002] CORRESPONDING SYSTEM”

[0003] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention concerns a sealing device for connecting in a watertight but temporary manner a tank module to a fuel preparation module of a hydrogen feeding system where, through an evaporator, the transition from liquid hydrogen to gaseous hydrogen usable for energy production occurs. This feeding system can be used in a variety of applications, including stationary power generators, propulsion means for land, sea and air vehicles.

[0005] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The use of hydrogen feeding systems to feed power generators, propulsion means or other types of user devices in order to reduce CO2 emissions is known. The use of hydrogen as a fuel offers the advantage of reduced emissions, since its combustion only produces water as a by-product.

[0007] One of the sectors that is facing the most significant challenges related to polluting emissions and climate change is the maritime industry, where traditional fossil fuel engines can be replaced or flanked by hydrogen propulsion means.

[0008] One of the biggest obstacles is safety. In fact, hydrogen is highly flammable and explosive, and special measures are necessary to guarantee the safe handling and transport of hydrogen on board ships, especially when the latter are used for passenger transport.

[0009] Currently, however, naval applications of hydrogen as a fuel are very rare, and are the exception rather than the rule.

[0010] In the field of hydrogen feeding systems, one of the areas that requires the most attention is related to the transfer of liquid hydrogen from the tank to the gasification system.

[0011] Examples of liquid hydrogen tanks installed onboard vessels are even less frequent. This is due to the handling of liquid hydrogen, which has to be stored at -253°C in liquid form and is very reactive and hazardous.

[0012] For this reason, moreover, there is still no consolidated technology available for bunkering hydrogen from ship to ship, or from tank to shore to ship.

[0013] In order to avoid the problems associated with the transfer, it is therefore possible to take on board the liquid hydrogen together with its tank, which has to be conveniently ISO-standard in size in order to be moved by the port, road or rail infrastructure currently available.

[0014] In order to increase the capacity of this tank, the liquid hydrogen gasification system can be more conveniently installed onboard the ship. While this allows to increase the mass of hydrogen in the tank, it still poses the problem of transferring the liquid hydrogen to the gasification system’s evaporator.

[0015] Since the tank is removable, the connection has to be done manually by means of an appropriate hose to connect the tank’s outlet valve to the inlet valve located ship-side. The connection of the tank module to the evaporator is achieved through dedicated pipes whose design and implementation has to take into account the final application’s specific environmental and operating conditions. For example, ships are subject to vibrations, shocks and temperature variations that can affect the stability and integrity of the pipe and its components.

[0016] CN-A-110985783 describes a sealing connection for pipes as indicated above. This connection, however, does not represent an improved safety level compared to known connections, and does not give any information on how to reciprocally connect a tank module to an evaporator. In addition, the known connection has a field of applicability (pipes up to DN600) that is not compatible with the present application, nor does it allow for a simultaneously watertight and temporary coupling.

[0017] It is also essential that there are no leaks from the pipes, and in any case that any leaks are managed in a delimited and well-defined volume, separated from the surrounding environment in a watertight manner, in order to prevent the diffusion of hydrogen into the air.

[0018] There is therefore the need to perfect a sealing device for a hydrogen feeding system that can overcome at least one of the disadvantages of the state of the art.

[0019] To do this, it is necessary to resolve the technical problem of connecting a tank module to a fuel preparation module of a hydrogen feeding system in a watertight but removable manner.

[0020] In particular, one purpose of the present invention is to provide a sealing device that allows to isolate the zone in which the connection pipes, through which the liquid hydrogen flows toward the evaporator, extend. Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a sealing device that allows the connection between the tank and the gasification system to occur in an environment accessible to operators, but suitably equipped with safety systems in order to manage any hydrogen leaks from the sealing device. This environment, given the risk of being invaded by hydrogen vapors, has to be well separated from the rest of the ship’s surrounding environments in order to prevent the hydrogen from spreading to unsuitable zones.

[0021] Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a sealing device that can be activated and deactivated quickly and automatically, after the necessary safety checks.

[0022] Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a sealing device that allows to guarantee a perfect seal even in the case of non-optimal alignment between the tank module and the fuel preparation module, as well as in the case of vibrations, shocks or temperature variations.

[0023] The Applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain these and other purposes and advantages.

[0024] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0025] The present invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claims. The dependent claims describe other characteristics of the present invention or variants to the main inventive idea.

[0026] In accordance with the above purposes and to resolve the technical problem described above in a new and original way, also achieving considerable advantages compared to the state of the prior art, a sealing device according to the present invention comprises a first interface wall able to be associated with a tank module of a hydrogen feeding system, able to contain a certain quantity of liquid hydrogen, and a second interface wall able to be associated with a fuel preparation module of the hydrogen feeding system, in which the transfer and evaporation of the liquid hydrogen occurs.

[0027] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the sealing device comprises at least one closed ring gasket mounted on one of either the first interface wall or the second interface wall, and at least one presser member mounted on the other one of either the first interface wall or the second interface wall, the presser member having a closed ring shape corresponding to the shape of the at least one gasket.

[0028] The sealing device allows for a rapid coupling, while at the same time guaranteeing a watertight seal between the surfaces involved, and therefore the creation of a limited environment where hydrogen, in the event of a leak, can be detected, contained and duly evacuated safely. This makes this sealing device suited to various applications, for example serving a propulsion system on board a ship.

[0029] Advantageously, the sizes of the gasket and the presser member are such as to allow the passage of a human being, for example at least 1.5 meters x 1.5 meters.

[0030] Preferably, the sealing device is configured to create an environment that is sealed watertight, with sizes such as to enclose pipes to be connected to each other, for example. This is not a sealing device to be applied to the pipes, but rather to connect together a tank of gas, or other fluid, and a feeding system that operates with that very gas, or other fluid.

[0031] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the sealing device comprises clamping means mounted on the first and second interface wall to compress the at least one presser member against the at least one gasket. Favorably, the clamping means are mounted on the external surface of the first interface wall and of the second interface wall, so that the two interface walls can be assembled together without having to pass through them. That is, the clamping means are both located between the first interface wall and the second interface wall.

[0032] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the clamping means can comprise motors and / or actuators.

[0033] According to a variant, in less sensitive applications and where there is more room for maneuver than on a ship, it is possible for the clamping means to not be motorized, but manual and in any case with quick coupling and release.

[0034] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the clamping means can comprise at least a first clamping member, which can be fixed, mounted on the first interface wall, and at least a corresponding second clamping member, which can be mobile, mounted on the second interface wall and conformed to selectively engage the first clamping member determining an approach and an axial compression between the at least one presser member and the at least one gasket. According to some embodiments, one of either the first or the second clamping member is located outside the respective interface wall. Preferably, the other clamping member is attached to the respective interface wall.

[0035] According to some embodiments, one of either the closed ring gasket or the presser member is mounted on a respective support which is located in a plane that is external with respect to its interface wall. That is, one of either the gasket or the presser member is on a support thereof which is protruding with respect to the interface wall. In this case, the respective clamping member is attached to the support, and therefore it also is located externally with respect to the interface wall. In accordance with some embodiments, also the other of either the closed ring gasket or the presser member is mounted on a respective support, which however is recessed with respect to its interface wall. Advantageously, the respective clamping member is provided on the interface wall, not on the support.

[0036] According to some embodiments, the first and second interface wall are provided with a first and second aperture, respectively. The closed ring gasket and the presser member are advantageously located in correspondence with the edge of a respective one of either the first aperture or the second aperture.

[0037] In accordance with a variant of the present invention, the first clamping member and the second clamping member can configure a wedge-slot coupling.

[0038] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the at least one presser member is made of a rigid material.

[0039] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the at least one gasket is made of an elastically deformable material.

[0040] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the sealing device can comprise at least one end-of-travel element associated with one of either the first interface wall or the second interface wall, and configured to limit a travel of the at least one presser member so that an optimal compression of the at least one gasket is achieved.

[0041] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the sealing device can comprise at least two distinct gaskets mounted concentric to each other so as to create, together with the at least one presser member, at least one intermediate chamber Tillable with a gas, preferably inert.

[0042] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the sealing device can comprise at least a first pressure sensor inside the intermediate chamber capable of monitoring a first safety pressure and detecting any changes that could indicate an ongoing leak.

[0043] The present invention also concerns a hydrogen feeding system comprising:

[0044] - at least one tank module comprising a containing structure and a tank housed in the containing structure,

[0045] - at least one corresponding fuel preparation module formed by a plurality of walls and comprising a tank connection chamber and a fuel evaporation chamber inside which at least one evaporator device is operational, and

[0046] - a sealing device as disclosed here, wherein the first interface wall is associated with the containing structure and the second interface wall is associated with one of the plurality of walls.

[0047] DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0048] These and other aspects, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of some embodiments, given as a non-restrictive example with reference to the attached drawings wherein:

[0049] - fig. 1 shows a tank module of a hydrogen feeding system in which a part of the sealing device of the present invention is visible;

[0050] - fig. 2 shows a fuel preparation module of a hydrogen feeding system in which a part of the sealing device of the present invention is visible;

[0051] - figs. 3 and 4 show a lateral section view of the sealing device according to the present invention;

[0052] - figs. 5 and 6 show an enlargement of two different embodiments of the sealing device of figs. 1 and 2;

[0053] - fig. 7 shows a possible embodiment of the clamping means for compressing the presser member against the gasket; and

[0054] - fig. 8 is an example diagram of a hydrogen feeding system according to the present invention.

[0055] We must clarify that the phraseology and terminology used in the present description, as well as the figures in the attached drawings also in relation as to how described, have the sole function of better illustrating and explaining the present invention, their purpose being to provide a non-limiting example of the invention itself, since the scope of protection is defined by the claims. To facilitate comprehension, the same reference numbers have been used, where possible, to identify identical common elements in the drawings. It is understood that elements and characteristics of one embodiment can be conveniently combined or incorporated into other embodiments without further clarifications. DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0056] With reference to figs. 1-4, a sealing device 10 according to the present invention is applicable, for example, in a hydrogen feeding system 100 (fig. 8) to guarantee the watertight seal between a tank module 110 (fig. 1), able to contain a certain quantity of liquid hydrogen, and a fuel preparation module 111 (fig. 2), in which the transfer and evaporation of the liquid hydrogen into gaseous hydrogen occurs.

[0057] The sealing device 10 comprises a first interface wall 11 able to be associated with the tank module 110 and a facing second interface wall 12 able to be associated with the fuel preparation module 111.

[0058] The first and second interface wall 11, 12 are provided with a first and second aperture 16, 17, respectively, of the same size for example, which allow for communication between an internal volume of the tank module 110 and an internal volume of the fuel preparation module 111. The sizes can be, for example, of at least 1.5 meters x 1.5 meters, so as to allow an operator to carry out operations within the space defined by the aforementioned internal volumes.

[0059] The size of the apertures 16, 17 can however be different, depending on the specific design requirements.

[0060] The sealing device 10 comprises at least one closed ring gasket 13 mounted on one of either the first interface wall 11 or the second interface wall 12, in correspondence with the edge of the first or second aperture 16, 17.

[0061] The sealing device 10 comprises at least one presser member 14 mounted on the other of either the first interface wall 11 or the second interface wall 12, in correspondence with the edge of the first or second aperture 16, 17.

[0062] The presser member 14 favorably has a closed ring shape, corresponding to the shape of the at least one gasket 13, or in any case conformed to cooperate with the latter 13 to determine a liquid and gas tight coupling.

[0063] The at least one gasket 13 is replaceable, if necessary, and its functionality can be verified prior to coupling to the presser member 14. In the example shown, the gasket 13 is mounted on a support 13A thereof, which is placed in a plane that is internal with respect to the second interface wall 12. That is, the gasket 13 is recessed with respect to the plane of the second interface wall 12.

[0064] The presser member 14 is also provided on a support 14A thereof, which, however, is placed in a plane that is external with respect to the first interface wall

[0065] I I . That is, the support 14A and the presser member 14 are protruding with respect to the plane of the first interface wall 11.

[0066] When the tank module 110 and the fuel preparation module 11 1 are in a coupled condition, their internal volume defines a watertight sealed environment. This closed environment, which is advantageously also inertized, prevents any hydrogen leaks from escaping into an uncontrolled zone and atmosphere, such as the hold of a ship.

[0067] The at least one gasket 13 and the at least one presser member 14 have a respective coupling surface (figs. 5, 6) facing each other, with a radial extension such that the coupling between them can occur even if the tank module 110 is not perfectly aligned with the fuel preparation module 111.

[0068] The presser member 14 is made of a rigid material, for example a metal, and the gasket 13 is made of an elastically deformable material, for example a rubber. The presser member 14 can be made of stainless steel for example, while the gasket 13 can be made of silicone and butyl compounds, for example, in compound such as to have good properties of low temperature resistance and at the same time low hydrogen permeability.

[0069] With reference to figs. 1-4, the presser member 14 is associated with the first interface wall 11, for example in a single body therewith or joined by welding, around the edge of the first aperture 16. The gasket 13 is mounted on the second interface wall 12 around the edge of the second aperture 17, for example in a special annular housing seating 18.

[0070] The sealing device 10 comprises clamping means 19 mounted on the first and on the second interface wall 11, 12 and configured to compress the presser member 14 against the gasket 13. In this specific case, the clamping means 19 allow for a relative movement between the tank module 1 10 and the fuel preparation module

[0071] I I I , admitting the pressure coupling between the presser member 14 and the gasket 13.

[0072] The clamping means 19 can comprise motors and / or actuators.

[0073] In less sensitive applications and where there is more room for maneuver compared to a ship, it is possible for the clamping means 19 to not be motorized, but manual and in any case with quick coupling and release.

[0074] The clamping means 19 comprise at least a first clamping member 20, which can be fixed, mounted on the first interface wall 11 , and at least a corresponding second clamping member 21, which can be mobile, mounted on the second interface wall 12 and conformed to selectively engage the first clamping member 20, determining an approach and a compression between the presser member 14 and the gasket 13.

[0075] A certain number of pairs of first and second clamping members 20, 21 can preferably be mounted around the two apertures 16, 17 in such a way as to guarantee a uniformity of pressure of the presser member 14 against the gasket 13.

[0076] According to one embodiment, the first clamping member 20 and the second clamping member 21 determine a wedge-slot coupling, fig. 7.

[0077] The second clamping member 21 is a wedge, with a triangular or trapezoidal shape, and the first clamping member 21 is a slot, that is, a slit or aperture in which the wedge can move. When the wedge moves within the slot, it creates a linear movement transverse to the slot’s axis. This occurs because the wedge, since it is inclined, pushes the slot laterally while it moves along it, generating a movement that compresses the presser member 14 against the gasket 13.

[0078] According to alternative variants, it can be provided that the first clamping member 20 and the second clamping member 21 determine a screw-nut coupling.

[0079] Regardless of the type of clamping means 19, in the example shown the first clamping member 20, which is associated with the presser member 14 that is protruding with respect to the first interface wall 11, is attached to the support 14 A. That is, the first clamping member 20 is also protruding or external with respect to the first interface wall 11. The second clamping member 21, on the other hand, is provided precisely on the second interface wall 12, that is, it is protruding with respect to the gasket 13. In this way, the clamping means 19 are both located between the first interface wall 11 and the second interface wall 12, and are also in a different plane with respect to the gasket 13 and presser member 14 pair when the sealing device 10 is in the closed configuration.

[0080] According to possible embodiments, the sealing device 10 can also comprise centering means for reciprocally positioning the first interface wall 11 with respect to the second interface wall 12 in a correct manner, functional to the connection between the presser member 14 and the gasket 13.

[0081] The gasket 13 can be single (fig. 5), or two or more distinct gaskets 13, 22 can be provided (fig. 6).

[0082] According to some embodiments, the sealing device 10 can comprise at least two distinct gaskets 13, 22 mounted concentrically and coplanar with each other so as to create, together with the at least one presser member 14, at least one toroidal intermediate chamber 15.

[0083] The intermediate chamber 15 is fillable with a gas, preferably inert, for example nitrogen, at a first safety pressure pl greater than a second safety pressure p2 present / obtained inside the closed environment that is created when the tank module 110 and the fuel preparation module 111 are in a coupled condition.

[0084] This intermediate chamber 15 acts as a further safety barrier in the event that liquid or gaseous hydrogen blowby manages to go past the innermost gasket 13.

[0085] The sealing device 10 can comprise at least a first pressure sensor 26 inside the intermediate chamber 15, capable of monitoring the first safety pressure pl and detecting any pressure decreases that could indicate an ongoing blowby.

[0086] Preferably, the sealing device 10 can also comprise a second pressure sensor 27, shown in fig. 8, disposed in the fuel preparation module 111 in a position such that it is able to measure the second safety pressure p2 present / obtained inside the closed environment. The values of the safety pressures pl, p2 can be managed and controlled with control electronics 28 of the sealing device 10 capable, on the basis of the pressure values pl, p2, of maintaining the correct ratio by acting on flow devices configured to fill / empty the intermediate chamber 15 and the closed environment, for example valves, pumps, compressors, tanks or any other similar device. The presser member 14 can be conformed to compress a single gasket 13 or more than one gasket 13, 22 simultaneously. For this purpose, the presser member 14 can be a ring with a tapered profile (fig. 5) or a ring with a flat profile (fig. 6).

[0087] The sealing device 10 can comprise an end-of-travel element 23 associated with one of either the first interface wall 11 or the second interface wall 12 and configured to limit the travel of the presser member 14 so that an optimal compression of the gasket 13 is achieved. In figs. 5 and 6, the end-of-travel element 23 is attached, by way of example, to the first interface wall 11 , in particular to the support 14A of the presser member 14.

[0088] The sealing device 10 can optionally also comprise measuring sensors (not shown) capable of providing a direct or indirect measurement of the degree of compression of the gasket 13 by providing a signal to the control electronics 28 capable, in turn, of selectively energizing the clamping means 19.

[0089] With reference to fig. 8, this schematically shows a hydrogen feeding system 100 which can be used in a variety of applications, including stationary power generators, propulsion means for land, sea and air vehicles.

[0090] The hydrogen feeding system 100 comprises a tank module 110, able to contain a certain quantity of liquid hydrogen, a fuel preparation module 111 , in which the transfer and evaporation of the liquid hydrogen into gaseous hydrogen occurs, and a conversion module 112 for converting the chemical energy contained in the flow of gaseous hydrogen into electrical energy.

[0091] The tank module 110 comprises a containing structure 114, which can be a container, of which the first interface wall 1 1 is part, and an actual tank 113 housed inside the containing structure 114.

[0092] The tank 113 is provided with a flange 115 disposed inside the area delimited by the first aperture 16 and through which the liquid hydrogen contained inside the tank 113 can flow, by means of a valve 116.

[0093] The fuel preparation module 111 is essentially a polyhedral structure formed by a plurality of metal walls 119.

[0094] The fuel preparation module 111 preferably comprises two distinct chambers, divided by a central separation wall: a tank connection chamber I l la and a fuel evaporation chamber 111b inside which at least one evaporator device 117 is operational.

[0095] The fuel preparation module 111 comprises a pipe 118, preferably flexible, which can be temporarily connected to the flange 1 15 and permanently connected to the evaporator device 117 through the separation wall.

[0096] The approach of the tank module 110 to the fuel preparation module 1 11, which is normally fixed, can be achieved by means of movement devices 123 of a known type, and therefore not described in detail.

[0097] When the tank module 110 and the fuel preparation module 111 are in a coupled condition, the flange 115 is positioned inside the closed environment defined by the internal volume of the two modules, and the pipe 118 is connected to the flange 115.

[0098] This configuration allows to transfer fuel in a particularly safe manner, because any leaks or blowby remain confined to the environment within the two modules 110, 111.

[0099] The fuel preparation module 111 can be equipped with ventilation means 120 that comprise at least one valve 121 by means of which the second safety pressure p2, which must never exceed a predetermined limit value, can be adjusted.

[0100] The fuel preparation module 111 can also comprise saturation means 122 for saturating the environment within the fuel preparation module 111 with an inert gas, for example nitrogen, before the connection between the pipe 118 and the flange 115 occurs. The saturation means 122 can comprise a nitrogen generator or a compressed nitrogen tank, pipes and auxiliary valves. The nitrogen is continuously pumped into the chamber, gradually replacing the air present and creating an inert environment.

[0101] It is clear that modifications and / or additions of parts may be made to the sealing device 10 as described heretofore, without thereby departing from the field and scope of the present invention, as defined by the claims.

[0102] It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person of skill in the art will be able to achieve other equivalent forms of a sealing device for a hydrogen feeding system and corresponding system, having the characteristics as set forth in the claims and hence all coming within the field of protection defined thereby.

[0103] In the following claims, the sole purpose of the references in brackets is to facilitate their reading and they must not be considered as restrictive factors with regard to the field of protection defined by the claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Sealing device (10) comprising:- a first interface wall (11) able to be associated with a tank module (110) of a hydrogen feeding system (100), able to contain a certain quantity of liquid hydrogen,- a second interface wall (12) able to be associated with a fuel preparation module (111) of said hydrogen feeding system (100), in which the transfer and evaporation of said liquid hydrogen occurs,- at least one closed ring gasket (13) mounted on one of either said first interface wall (11) or said second interface wall (12), and- at least one presser member (14) mounted on the other one of either said first interface wall (11) or said second interface wall (12), said presser member (14) having a closed ring shape corresponding to the shape of said at least one gasket (13).

2. Sealing device (10) as in claim 1, characterized in that it comprises motorized clamping means (19) mounted on said first and second interface wall (11, 12) to compress said at least one presser member (14) against said at least one gasket (13).

3. Sealing device (10) as in claim 2, characterized in that said clamping means (19) are located between said first interface wall (11) and said second interface wall (12).

4. Sealing device (10) as in claim 2 or 3, characterized in that said clamping means (19) comprise at least a first clamping member (20) mounted on said first interface wall (11) and at least a corresponding second clamping member (21) mounted on said second interface wall (12) and conformed to selectively engage said first fixed clamping member (20) determining a rapid approach and an axial compression between said at least one presser member (14) and said at least one gasket (13).

5. Sealing device (10) as in claim 4, characterized in that one of either said first clamping member (20) or said second clamping member (21) is located outside the respective interface wall (11, 12).

6. Sealing device (10) as in claim 5, characterized in that the other clamping member (20, 21) is attached to the respective interface wall (11, 12).

7. Sealing device (10) as in claim 4, 5 or 6, characterized in that one of either said gasket (13) or said presser member (14) is located on a respective support (13 A, 14 A) which is protruding with respect to the respective interface wall (11, 12).

8. Sealing device (10) as in claim 7, characterized in that the other of either said gasket (13) or said presser member (14) is located on a respective support (13A, 14A) which is recessed with respect to the respective interface wall (11, 12).

9. Sealing device (10) as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said first and second interface wall (11, 12) are provided with a first and second aperture (16, 17), respectively, and in that said gasket (13) and said presser member (14) are mounted in correspondence with the edge of a respective one of either said first or said second aperture (16, 17).

10. Sealing device (10) as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said at least one presser member (14) is made of a rigid material, and in that said at least one gasket (13) is made of an elastically deformable material.

11. Sealing device (10) as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that it comprises at least one end-of-travel element (23) associated with one of either said first interface wall (11) or said second interface wall (12) and configured to limit a travel of said at least one presser member (14) so that an optimal compression of said at least one gasket (13) is achieved.

12. Sealing device (10) as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that it comprises at least two distinct gaskets (13, 22) mounted concentric to each other so as to create, together with said at least one presser member (14), at least one intermediate chamber (15) fillable with a gas, preferably inert.

13. Sealing device ( 10) as in claim 12, characterized in that it comprises at least a first pressure sensor (26) inside said intermediate chamber (15) capable of monitoring a first safety pressure (pl) and detecting any changes that could indicate an ongoing leak.

14. Hydrogen feeding system (100) comprising:- at least one tank module (110) comprising a containing structure (1 14) and a tank (113) housed in said containing structure (114),- at least one corresponding fuel preparation module (111) formed by a plurality of walls (119) and comprising a tank connection chamber (I l la) and a fuelevaporation chamber (11 lb) inside which at least one evaporator device (117) is operational, and- a sealing device (10) as in any claim hereinbefore, wherein said first interface wall (11) is associated with said containing structure (114) and said second interface wall (12) is associated with a wall of said plurality of walls (119).

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