Cryogenic Hydrogen Tank Pressurization With External Vaporization Loop
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydrogen storage and supply systems face challenges in efficiently pressurizing tanks to meet fuel cell requirements, especially when large capacities are needed, and existing solutions are complex, difficult to repair, or consume significant electric power.
Innovation Solution
A system with a separate pressurization line and vaporization heat exchanger, along with a withdrawal circuit featuring multiple heat exchangers and valves, allows for controlled pressure adjustment and efficient fluid supply to user members, including a three-way valve for bypassing internal heat exchangers and an auxiliary pressurization heater for initial tank pressurization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an electric heating pin is used to evaporate liquid and increase tank pressure, then the pressure control function is achieved, but the device complexity increases and repair difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the heating function from inside the tank by using an external heat exchanger. The liquid is withdrawn from the tank, heated externally, and then returned to the tank. This allows the heating element to be accessible for maintenance while maintaining the pressure control function, resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of repair.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary substance (liquid hydrogen) that acts as a heat transfer medium. The external heat exchanger heats this intermediary liquid, which then circulates back into the tank to provide the necessary pressure through evaporation. This mediator allows external heating without requiring internal heating elements that are difficult to repair.
2Reliability
If an electric heating pin is used to evaporate liquid and increase tank pressure, then the pressure control function is achieved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of heat loss during liquid withdrawal into a beneficial process. The withdrawn liquid is heated in an external heat exchanger using waste heat or efficient heat transfer, and this heated liquid is then returned to the tank. This approach is more energy-efficient than continuous electric heating and converts potential energy loss into useful pressure control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the tank's own liquid as the heating medium. The liquid is withdrawn, heated externally, and returned to continue the cycle. This self-service approach eliminates the need for separate heating elements and reduces overall energy consumption by utilizing the system's own resources for heat transfer.
3Reliability
If a pressurization system is added to the tank, then the pressure control capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The withdrawal circuit serves multiple functions: it withdraws liquid for fuel cell supply and simultaneously serves as a pressurization system by heating and returning liquid to the tank. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity compared to having separate withdrawal and pressurization systems, resolving the contradiction between capability and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the pressurization function with the existing withdrawal circuit. The heat exchanger and valve assembly that would normally be separate components are integrated into the withdrawal line, allowing the same circuit to perform both liquid withdrawal and pressure maintenance functions, thereby reducing device complexity.
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 effectively controls tank pressure, maintains thermodynamic equilibrium, and minimizes thermal gradients, ensuring stable operation even under dynamic conditions, while reducing complexity and power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
a vaporization heat exchanger and an assembly of one or more valves that is configured to allow liquid to be withdrawn from the tank, to be heated in the vaporization heat exchanger and to be reintroduced into the tank
Implementation Method 2
the first withdrawal line comprising a first heating heat exchanger located outside the tank and a second heating heat exchanger located inside the tank
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid storage and supply device comprising a cryogenic reservoir for storing liquefied fluid, a withdrawing circuit comprising a first withdrawing pipe having a first upstream end connected to the upper part of the reservoir and a second downstream end intended to be connected to a user member, the first withdrawing pipe comprising a first heating heat exchanger situated outside the reservoir and a second heating heat exchanger situated inside the reservoir, the withdrawing circuit comprising a set of valve(s) configured to ensure the passage of a flow of fluid circulating from the first end towards the second end by passing through the first heat exchanger and then through the second heat exchanger or by passing solely through the first heat exchanger without passing through the second heat exchanger, characterized in that the device further comprises a system for pressurizing the reservoir comprising a pressurizing pipe separate from the withdrawing circuit and comprising two ends respectively connected to the upper and lower parts of the reservoir, a vaporizing heat exchanger and a set of valve(s) configured to allow the withdrawal of liquid from the reservoir, the heating thereof in the vaporizing heat exchanger and the reintroduction thereof into the reservoir.