Facility and method for supplying liquefied hydrogen
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hydrogen liquefiers face challenges in ensuring continuous operation for cleaning and purging transfer lines, as they cannot produce gaseous hydrogen under pressure when stopped, making it impossible to perform these essential maintenance tasks.
Innovation Solution
A facility with a source of gaseous hydrogen, a liquefier, two liquefied hydrogen tanks, a pressurization system, and a vaporization system that allows for the generation of gaseous hydrogen under pressure for cleaning and purging, even when the liquefier is stopped, using a control unit and isolation valves to manage the flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If the liquefier is stopped, then the liquid hydrogen can be stored in tanks, but it becomes impossible to obtain gaseous hydrogen under pressure for cleaning and purging transfer lines
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-pressurizes the second tank to a second predetermined pressure (greater than the first predetermined pressure) before cleaning operations are needed. This preliminary pressurization ensures that when the liquefier is stopped and storage mode is activated, the pressurized gaseous hydrogen is already available in the second tank for immediate cleaning and purging of transfer lines, eliminating the operational conflict between storage and maintenance capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The second tank serves as an intermediary storage vessel that decouples the liquefier operation from the cleaning operation. It stores pressurized gaseous hydrogen independently, allowing cleaning and purging to be performed using this intermediate pressurized source even when the main liquefier is stopped, thus mediating between the storage requirement and the cleaning capability requirement
2Ease of operation
If the liquefier operates continuously to provide gaseous hydrogen for cleaning, then cleaning capability is maintained, but continuous operation is not achieved for storage purposes
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary pressurization of the second tank during periods when cleaning is not immediately required, storing pressurized gaseous hydrogen in advance. This allows the liquefier to be stopped for storage operations while the pre-pressurized second tank maintains cleaning capability, thus achieving both continuous productivity and operational flexibility without requiring the liquefier to run continuously
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts the cleaning function from the main liquefier operation by creating a separate pressurized gaseous hydrogen source in the second tank. This extraction allows cleaning operations to be independently performed using stored pressurized gas, decoupling the cleaning capability from the continuous operation of the liquefier and enabling the liquefier to focus on its primary production and storage function
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
Enables reliable cleaning and purging of transfer lines and other equipment by providing a means to generate gaseous hydrogen under pressure, ensuring continuous operation and maintenance capabilities even when the liquefier is not operational.
Implementation Method 1
a vaporization system configured to heat the gaseous hydrogen flowing in the vaporization pipe
Implementation Method 2
a pressurization system configured to allow the second tank to be pressurized at a second predetermined pressure which is greater than the first predetermined pressure
Implementation Method 3
a liquefier configured to be fed with gaseous hydrogen by the source and to deliver liquefied hydrogen
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a facility for supplying liquefied hydrogen, comprising: a liquefier configured to deliver liquefied hydrogen; a first liquefied hydrogen tank configured to receive liquefied hydrogen coming from the liquefier; a transfer line configured to allow liquefied hydrogen to be transferred from the first tank to a tank to be filled; a second liquefied hydrogen tank configured to receive liquefied hydrogen coming from the first tank; a pressurization system configured to allow the second tank to be pressurized; a vaporization pipe connecting the second tank and/or the pressurization system to the transfer line.