Compressed Gas Dispensing via Sequential Vessel Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge is to reduce the residual gas in storage vessels of mobile compressed gas storage devices to minimize the frequency of refilling, especially in the context of delivering compressed hydrogen to hydrogen-powered vehicles where high delivery pressures are required, and existing methods are inefficient due to the need for multiple vessels with higher pressures to achieve the desired fill pressure.
Innovation Solution
A method involving sequential fluid transfer events where compressed gas is transferred from one mobile storage device to a series of receiving vessels, then to another, allowing for depletion and refilling, optimizing pressure distribution without mechanical compression, and utilizing multiple manifold-connected storage vessels to achieve efficient gas distribution and reduce residual gas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If conventional dispensing methods are used to deliver compressed gas at high pressures, then delivery pressure requirement is met, but the amount of residual gas remaining in storage vessels increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the storage vessels into multiple groups with different pressure levels. First group vessels operate at higher pressures for initial dispensing, then second group vessels take over at lower pressures. This segmentation allows each vessel to be depleted more completely before refilling, reducing residual gas while maintaining continuous high-pressure delivery capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between different storage vessels and groups based on pressure levels and depletion states. The dispensing system adapts in real-time by transitioning from first group vessels to second group vessels as pressures change, optimizing the utilization of each vessel and minimizing residual gas through dynamic pressure management.
2Stress or pressure
If storage vessels are refilled frequently to maintain delivery pressure, then delivery pressure requirement is maintained, but productivity decreases due to refilling operations
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting storage vessels into first and second groups with different pressure operating ranges, the system extends the operational cycle between refilling events. First group vessels handle high-pressure dispensing until depletion, then second group vessels continue service, effectively doubling the time between refilling operations and maintaining productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous useful action by ensuring that while first group vessels are being depleted and refilled, second group vessels continue to provide compressed gas delivery. This overlapping operation eliminates downtime during refilling and maintains continuous productivity.
3Stress or pressure
If multiple storage vessels with higher pressures are used to achieve desired fill pressure, then delivery pressure requirement is met, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments vessels into two functional groups: first group vessels charged to higher pressures for initial dispensing, and second group vessels charged to lower pressures for continued service. This segmentation achieves the desired fill pressure requirement while managing complexity through organized pressure-level groups rather than requiring all vessels to operate at maximum pressure simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the pressure parameter of different vessel groups to optimize performance. First group vessels operate at higher pressure parameters while second group vessels operate at lower pressure parameters, allowing the system to meet delivery pressure requirements without requiring all vessels to be over-engineered for maximum pressure, thus reducing overall device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for dispensing a compressed gas for reducing the amount of residual gas in dispensing station storage vessels before refilling is required. The method comprises transferring compressed gas into receiving vessels in a first series of fill-ups where each of the receiving vessels receive compressed gas from a first mobile storage device and subsequently from a second mobile storage device, transporting the first mobile storage device to a refilling station after the first mobile storage device has been depleted to a selected depletion level, refilling the first mobile storage device at the refilling station, and transferring compressed gas into receiving vessels in a second series of fill-ups where each of the receiving vessels receive compressed gas from the second mobile storage device and one or more of the first mobile storage device after refilling and a third mobile storage device.