Conformable Tank Filling System with Venturi Mixing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional compressed gas tanks experience heating issues during filling due to the heat of compression and Joule-Thompson effect, leading to longer filling times and the need for gas pre-cooling, which increases complexity and costs for fueling stations.
Innovation Solution
The use of novel conformable tanks with increased surface area for rapid heat dissipation and higher flow velocity during filling, allowing for faster fill performance without pre-cooling, and alternating end filling to manage temperature extremes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional tanks are used for filling, then the tank structure is simple, but heating issues occur due to heat of compression and Joule-Thompson effect, leading to longer filling times and requiring pre-cooling
Solution Approach 1:
The tank is divided into multiple chambers (e.g., 112 chambers) that can be filled independently or in parallel. This segmentation allows for better temperature management by distributing the compression heat across multiple smaller volumes, enabling faster overall filling without excessive temperature rise in any single chamber.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from conventional single-volume tanks to multi-chamber configurations, adding a dimensional aspect to the filling process. This allows simultaneous filling of multiple chambers from different locations, effectively increasing filling speed while managing temperature through distributed heat generation.
2Temperature
If gas pre-cooling is implemented, then temperature control during filling is improved, but the complexity and costs for fueling stations increase
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-chamber tank design enables self-regulating temperature management during filling. The distributed chamber structure naturally dissipates compression heat across multiple volumes, and the system can autonomously manage filling sequences to prevent excessive temperature rise without requiring external pre-cooling infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the storage system by using multiple small chambers instead of one large chamber. This parameter change fundamentally alters the thermal behavior during filling, allowing the system to operate without pre-cooling while maintaining temperature control through the inherent thermal characteristics of the multi-chamber design.
3Productivity
If conventional tanks are used, then the tank design is straightforward, but heat dissipation is insufficient leading to longer filling times
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the tank into multiple chambers, the surface area to volume ratio increases significantly. This segmentation enhances heat dissipation efficiency as each chamber has its own surface area for heat transfer, allowing compression heat to be dissipated more effectively during the filling process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent fundamentally changes the geometric parameters of the storage system by using multiple small chambers instead of one large chamber. This parameter change increases the total surface area available for heat dissipation relative to the total volume, directly improving heat transfer efficiency and enabling faster filling rates.
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
Conformable tanks achieve faster filling speeds and reduced temperature peaks, minimizing the need for pre-cooling and lowering operational costs while maintaining safety and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
novel conformable tanks with increased surface area for rapid heat dissipation
Implementation Method 2
heating issues during filling due to the heat of compression and Joule-Thompson effect
Data Source
AI summary
A Venturi filling system having a first filling coupler configured to be coupled to a first set of fittings disposed at a first tank end of a tank; a second filling coupler configured to be coupled to a second set of fittings disposed at a second tank end of the tank; and a Venturi assembly that includes: a Venturi mixing chamber, the Venturi mixing chamber communicating with the first filling coupler; a Venturi nozzle configured to introduce a first flow of fluid from a fluid source to the Venturi mixing chamber of the Venturi assembly; and an suction inlet communicating with the second filling coupler and coupled with the Venturi chamber and configured to receive a second flow of fluid originates from the second filling coupler such that the second flow of fluid flows into the Venturi chamber and mixes with the first fluid flow within the Venturi mixing chamber.