Ejector Pump Cooling for High Pressure Gas Tank Refueling
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Solution Overview
Problem
High pressure gas refueling in vehicles leads to excessive tank heating due to mechanical compression, resulting in reduced vehicle mileage range, longer refueling times, and increased energy consumption, especially at higher pressures above 10,000 psi for hydrogen and 3600 psi for CNG, as existing methods require pre-cooling or pressure overfilling, which are inefficient and costly.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a gas jet ejector pump to circulate refueling gas through a heat exchanger, cooling the hot gas before reintroducing it into the tank, thereby reducing tank heating and eliminating the need for external pre-cooling or pressure overfilling, with continuous cooling and improved heat exchange efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If high pressure gas is refueled into the tank, then the tank pressure increases, but the tank temperature increases due to mechanical compression
Solution Approach 1:
A heat exchanger is introduced as an intermediary device between the refueling source and the tank. The heat exchanger pre-cools the high pressure gas before it enters the tank, preventing temperature rise from mechanical compression while allowing pressure to increase to the desired level.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary cooling of the high pressure gas before refueling into the tank. By pre-cooling the gas in a heat exchanger, the temperature rise that would normally occur during compression is prevented before the gas enters the tank, maintaining lower tank temperatures while achieving full refueling pressure.
2Temperature
If pre-cooling or pressure overfilling methods are used, then tank heating is reduced, but energy consumption increases and refueling time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger utilizes the cold gas from the refueling source to cool the incoming high pressure gas. The system is self-sustaining in that the cold gas needed for cooling is provided by the refueling process itself, eliminating the need for external cooling energy input while preventing tank heating.
3Temperature
If pre-cooling or pressure overfilling methods are used, then tank heating is reduced, but refueling time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger performs preliminary cooling of the high pressure gas before it enters the tank. This pre-cooling action prevents temperature rise during the refueling process, allowing the tank to be filled to its full pressure capacity without requiring extended refueling time or special cooling procedures.
4Temperature
If existing refueling equipment is modified or replaced, then cooling capacity is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger is designed to work with existing refueling equipment and infrastructure. It serves multiple functions: cooling the high pressure gas, managing thermal energy, and enabling full tank capacity refueling. The device integrates into the existing refueling system without requiring complete equipment replacement or complex modifications.
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 approach decreases refueling time, increases vehicle range, and enhances refueling efficiency by minimizing energy loss and tank heating, while reducing the need for additional cooling equipment and infrastructure modifications.
Implementation Method 1
A system utilizing a gas jet ejector pump to circulate refueling gas through a heat exchanger, cooling the hot gas before reintroducing it into the tank
Implementation Method 2
introducing the refueling gas into an ejector pump that sucks out the hot gas from within the tank
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus wherein the compression heat of refueling of a high pressure storage tank is evacuated from the interior of the tank in which a gas circulating within the tank passes through an ejector pump powered by the mechanical energy of the refueling gas as the gas traverses from the high pressure refuel depot to the storage tank and the circulating gas absorbs the refueling heat and carries the heat to a cooling system before the gas is introduced into the tank for storage.