Predictive Control of Cryogenic Hydrogen Tank Dispensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for withdrawing cryogenic hydrogen from pressure tanks in hydrogen-powered vehicles face inefficiencies, such as pressure fluctuations leading to incomplete filling and potential damage to consumers, and require excessive heat input during refueling, resulting in downtime and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method for controlling the withdrawal of cryogenic hydrogen from a cryogenic pressure tank, using a control system that adjusts heat input and withdrawal based on vehicle characteristics, planned use, and environmental conditions to maintain optimal temperature and pressure, ensuring efficient and safe hydrogen supply to consumers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the tank is cooled to cryogenic temperature before refueling with liquid hydrogen, then the hydrogen can be stored in liquid state, but the cooling process causes hydrogen loss through evaporation or re-liquefaction
Solution Approach 1:
The tank is pre-cooled to cryogenic temperature before refueling with liquid hydrogen. This preliminary cooling action prepares the tank to receive liquid hydrogen without causing evaporation losses, as the tank is already at the required temperature. The system determines when pre-cooling is necessary based on predicted refueling events and performs the cooling in advance during periods when hydrogen consumption is low.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the vehicle's own hydrogen consumption patterns and environmental conditions to determine when pre-cooling should occur. The control unit monitors tank temperature, ambient temperature, and predicted refueling needs to autonomously decide when to activate the cooling system, making the system self-regulating without external intervention.
2Ease of operation
If the tank is refueled with cryogenically compressed hydrogen at warm temperatures, then refueling can proceed without pre-cooling, but pressure increases may cause the maximum permissible operating pressure to be reached
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs pre-cooling of the tank before refueling with cryogenically compressed hydrogen when ambient temperatures are high or the tank is warm. This preliminary temperature reduction prevents excessive pressure increases during refueling, allowing the tank to accept more hydrogen without reaching maximum pressure limits.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system dynamically adjusts the tank temperature parameter before refueling by activating or deactivating the cooling system based on ambient temperature, current tank temperature, and predicted refueling quantity. This parameter change ensures the tank is in the optimal temperature state to receive hydrogen without excessive pressure buildup.
3Productivity
If heat is supplied to the tank towards the end of the operating cycle to maintain mass flow rate, then the required hydrogen flow can be achieved, but heat transfer is severely limited due to low residual density
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs pre-heating of the tank and remaining hydrogen during intermediate periods when the vehicle is idle or during the day cycle, before the end of the operating cycle. This preliminary heating action increases the temperature and density of the residual hydrogen, ensuring that sufficient mass flow rate can be maintained when heat transfer becomes limited towards the end of the cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system continuously monitors hydrogen consumption, tank pressure, and temperature to determine when pre-heating should occur. By maintaining continuous control and adjusting heating timing based on real-time conditions, the system ensures that heat is supplied at the optimal moment to maximize hydrogen availability without excessive energy input.
4Duration of action of stationary object
If the tank pressure is rapidly reduced to extend service life, then the tank durability is improved, but the temperature of the tank and hydrogen decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs pre-heating of the tank after pressure reduction events. When the control unit detects that pressure has been rapidly reduced to extend service life, it subsequently activates the heating system to restore the tank temperature to optimal operating levels, compensating for the temperature drop caused by adiabatic expansion.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system continuously monitors tank temperature, pressure, and hydrogen consumption patterns to determine when pressure reduction should occur and when subsequent heating is needed. This feedback mechanism ensures that pressure management actions are taken at optimal moments to maximize service life while maintaining temperature within acceptable ranges for hydrogen storage.
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
This method enhances the efficiency of hydrogen withdrawal, reduces refueling downtime, and minimizes heat input, thereby increasing the vehicle's range and reducing operational costs while ensuring consistent consumer operation.
Implementation Method 1
adjusts heat input and withdrawal based on vehicle characteristics
Implementation Method 2
The revealed method offers the advantage of being able to use thermal energy stored in the vehicle for preconditioning the tank
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
A computer-implemented method is provided for parameterizing a control system for withdrawing cryogenic hydrogen from a cryogenic pressure tank to supply a motor vehicle with hydrogen. The method involves receiving information about a property of the motor vehicle, about its current and/or planned use, and/or about its environment. This is followed by determining the anticipated effect of these conditions on a change in the fill level and/or temperature of the stored hydrogen. Subsequently, the necessary conditioning of the stored hydrogen is defined to prepare for the determined anticipated effect.The procedure further includes providing at least one parameter for controlling the withdrawal of hydrogen from the cryogenic pressure tank, so that the conditioning to be carried out in preparation for the determined anticipated effect is at least partially achieved by the withdrawal according to the control.