Heated Gas Storage Valve for Ice Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for filling and removing gases from high-pressure containers, such as hydrogen tanks, face challenges with ice crystal formation and water sublimation in small valve cross-sections, leading to inefficiencies and potential system failure, especially at low temperatures, and require high energy consumption for heating.
Innovation Solution
A controlled heating process for components within the fluid storage system, such as valves, that anticipates and responds to changes in ambient and future temperature conditions using GPS and navigation data to prevent ice crystal formation, utilizing energy conversion processes like resistance heating or heat transfer fluids to maintain optimal temperatures in critical flow areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If heating is applied continuously to prevent ice crystal formation in small valve cross-sections, then reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element is activated in advance before the temperature drops to critical levels, preventing ice crystal formation before it occurs. The controller monitors temperature and activates heating proactively rather than reactively, maintaining temperature above the freezing point of water in the small valve cross-sections.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating element operates periodically rather than continuously. The controller activates heating when temperature approaches critical thresholds and deactivates it when sufficient temperature is maintained, creating a periodic heating cycle that prevents ice formation while reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous heating.
2Device complexity
If pilot valves with small flow cross-sections are used to reduce valve size, then device complexity is reduced, but harmful factors increase due to water sublimation and ice crystal formation
Solution Approach 1:
A heating element is introduced as an intermediary component between the valve and the cold environment. This heating element acts as a mediator that prevents direct contact between the valve's small cross-section and harmful cold temperatures, thereby preventing ice crystal formation and water sublimation while maintaining the compact valve design.
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature parameter of the valve internal passages is actively changed and maintained above the freezing point. By controlling the temperature parameter through heating, the system prevents phase changes of water (liquid to solid or vapor) that would occur in the small cross-sections at low temperatures, thus eliminating harmful effects while keeping the valve compact.
3Reliability
If heating power is increased to quickly raise temperature in critical areas, then reliability is improved, but energy consumption and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element is positioned specifically in the critical areas where ice crystal formation is most likely to occur, such as the small flow cross-sections of the valve. By concentrating heating power locally rather than uniformly throughout the entire valve, the system achieves fast temperature control in critical areas while minimizing overall energy consumption and avoiding excessive heating power requirements.
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
Minimizes energy consumption while effectively preventing ice crystal formation and maintaining seal integrity by heating components proactively before critical temperatures are reached, ensuring reliable operation of gas storage systems in vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing energy conversion processes like resistance heating
Implementation Method 2
heat transfer fluids to maintain optimal temperatures in critical flow areas
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for operating a fluid-flowable component of a fluid storage system. The invention further relates to a fluid-flowable component of a gas storage system. It also relates to a controller for controlling the system component and to a vehicle with a gas storage system that includes the fluid-flowable component operated by the method according to the invention. The method according to the invention for operating a fluid-flowable component of a fluid storage system of a vehicle, wherein the fluid-flowable component is heatable, is characterized in that the heating of the fluid-flowable component is controlled in a situation-dependent manner, taking into account an expectation of a future change in the situation.