Compressor Buffer Tank Filling Station Gas Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for filling high-pressure gas tanks, such as those for hydrogen in vehicles, require numerous high-pressure buffer containers, increasing the risk of leaks and storage needs, and are inefficient in terms of time and energy, especially for rapid filling.
Innovation Solution
A method that uses a compressor to supply gas directly to the tank during pressure equalization phases, with the compressor and buffer containers connected in parallel, allowing simultaneous gas transfer from both the compressor and buffer containers, reducing the need for large, high-pressure containers and energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If successive pressure equalizations with multiple high-pressure buffer containers are used, then rapid filling of high-pressure tanks is achieved, but the number of required containers and gas storage quantity increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the pressure parameter dynamics by using a single buffer container that cycles between charging and discharge phases. The buffer is charged to high pressure (e.g., 750 bar) from the compressor, then discharged to fill the vehicle tank via pressure equalization. This cyclic parameter change allows one container to replace multiple static containers, reducing total gas storage from 3x daily consumption to a much smaller amount.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic action through sequential operation of multiple buffer containers in cycles. When one buffer is discharging to fill a vehicle tank, another buffer is being charged by the compressor. This periodic charging-discharging cycle maintains continuous rapid filling capability while using minimal gas storage, as each buffer alternates between high-pressure storage and transfer modes.
2Productivity
If the number of high-pressure buffer containers is increased to allow successive fillings without excessive waiting time, then productivity is improved, but the size of the filling station increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention achieves continuous successive filling capability with minimal station size by implementing periodic action across multiple buffers. While one buffer serves a vehicle, another is being charged by the compressor. This time-sequential operation allows the system to handle multiple vehicles back-to-back without requiring all buffers to be simultaneously available, reducing station footprint while maintaining high productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system ensures continuity of useful action by overlapping the charging and discharging operations of buffer containers. The compressor continuously charges available buffers while buffers simultaneously discharge to vehicle tanks. This continuous cyclic operation eliminates idle time between vehicle fillings, maintaining high productivity without requiring excessive buffer capacity or station size.
3Productivity
If direct compression from low-pressure source is used for rapid filling, then filling time is reduced, but very high electrical power is required
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces high-pressure buffer containers as intermediary storage devices between the low-pressure gas source and the vehicle tank. The compressor charges these buffers to high pressure during off-peak times, then the buffers serve as temporary high-pressure sources during vehicle filling. This intermediary approach allows rapid filling without requiring the compressor to operate at maximum power during the actual filling process, significantly reducing peak electrical power demands.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-charging buffer containers to high pressure before vehicle arrival or during low-demand periods. This advance preparation stores energy in the pressurized gas within buffers, so when a vehicle needs rapid filling, the pre-stored high-pressure gas is transferred directly without requiring high-power compression at that moment. This preliminary energy storage enables rapid filling with low instantaneous power consumption.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables rapid and efficient filling of high-pressure tanks with reduced storage requirements and energy usage, while maintaining flexibility for partial fill operations during maintenance or failures.
Implementation Method 1
a compressor (5) supplied with gas from a source (14, 24, 34) at a pressure lower than that of the buffer containers (2, 3) and having an outlet connected to the supply line (6)
Implementation Method 2
by means of a filling station comprising a plurality of buffer containers provided to contain pressurized gas and fill the tank by successive pressure equalization phases
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for filling a tank (11) with pressurised gas, particularly hydrogen in the tank (11) of a vehicle, using a filling station (1) that comprises: a plurality of buffer containers (2, 3) for containing the pressurised gas and filling the tank (11) through successive pressure balancing phases; a device (5; 15, 16) for generating a pressurised gas and for filling said buffer containers (2, 3) from a fluid source (14, 24, 34, 44); wherein the method comprises a tank (11) filling step by gas transfer from a buffer container (2, 3) and simultaneously by gas transfer directly from the source (14, 24, 34, 44) via the gas generation device (5; 15, 16), characterised in that the pressurised-gas generation device includes a compressor (5) connected to the buffer containers (2, 3) and in that the compressor (5) supplies gas to the tank (11) from a gas source including a first buffer container (2) for at least part of a pressure balancing phase between at least one second buffer container (3) and a tank (11), the buffer containers (2, 3) being successively used as sources by the compressor (5) after being used for pressure balancing with the tank (11).