Cryo-Compressed Hydrogen Buffer Storage for Fast Refueling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current liquid hydrogen refueling systems for heavy-duty transportation, such as Class 8 trucks, suffer from low refueling rates, high costs, and frequent maintenance requirements, which hinder the deployment of fast-refueling stations.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing cryo-compressed hydrogen buffer storage to decouple refueling rates from hydrogen cryo-pumps, enabling fast and efficient hydrogen refueling by storing and dispensing hydrogen in a cryo-compressed state, allowing for flexible fuel outputs and reducing the need for high-power cryo-pumps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If liquid hydrogen cryo-pumps are used for refueling, then hydrogen can be stored and dispensed, but refueling rates are limited to 8 kg/min and maintenance frequency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the storage function (cryo-compressed hydrogen buffer storage) from the dispensing function (vaporizer and dispenser), allowing each component to operate independently at optimized rates. The buffer storage can accumulate hydrogen at lower rates while the dispenser can deliver at higher rates, resolving the contradiction between storage reliability and dispensing productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The vaporizer acts as an intermediary component between the cryo-compressed hydrogen buffer storage and the final dispensing system. It converts cryo-compressed hydrogen to gaseous hydrogen, enabling the dispenser to operate without direct connection to the cryogenic storage system, thereby reducing maintenance requirements while maintaining high refueling rates.
2Quantity of substance
If liquid hydrogen storage is used, then high energy density is achieved, but operational complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the physical parameters of hydrogen storage by using cryo-compressed hydrogen instead of liquid hydrogen. This intermediate state maintains high density characteristics while operating at lower temperatures and pressures, simplifying the operational complexity and reducing costs associated with liquid hydrogen handling infrastructure.
3Device complexity
If compressed gaseous hydrogen storage is used, then operational simplicity is maintained, but large volumes and high pressures are required
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the temperature parameter of compressed gaseous hydrogen to create cryo-compressed hydrogen. This allows the hydrogen to be stored at higher densities without requiring the extremely high pressures of conventional compressed gas storage, thereby reducing storage volume while maintaining operational simplicity through the use of standardized pressure vessels.
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
The system achieves faster refueling rates, reduces maintenance needs, and lowers operational costs by using a cryo-compressed hydrogen buffer storage system, which maintains hydrogen at high density and temperature, supporting multiple fuel outputs and improving the efficiency and reliability of hydrogen refueling stations.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling system to cool the mass of compressed hydrogen to form a cryo-compressed state
Data Source
AI summary
A system for hydrogen dispensation can include: a hydrogen collector; a cryo-compressed buffer storage system; and a hydrogen dispenser. The system functions to facilitate hydrogen fueling/dispensation (e.g., rapid dispensation) while additionally utilizing hydrogen storage in a cryo-compressed hydrogen state. The system and/or method may be implemented in any general use case that requires hydrogen storage and/or hydrogen refueling.