Hydrogen Filling Buffer Reservoir Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for pre-cooling hydrogen prior to filling vehicle tanks are demanding due to high pressure, variable flow rates, and temperature requirements, with limited effective management of cold and hot flows.
Innovation Solution
The installation employs a buffer storage reservoir with thermal insulation and a temperature regulating system that adjusts fluid temperature between two distinct levels, using a cryogenic pump and heat exchanger to maintain a near-constant cold temperature, minimizing pressure and temperature drops during filling, and utilizing electronic control to manage fluid flow and temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the hydrogen flow is pre-cooled to high pressure (100-1000 bar) with highly variable flow rate (0.5-3.6 kg/min) and inlet temperatures (ambient temperature, −20° C. to 40° C.), then the filling requirement is met, but the temperature regulation becomes extremely demanding with a tolerance of just a few degrees in the range from −40° C. to −33° C.
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the temperature regulation into two distinct phases: a first phase where the buffer storage reservoir is filled with cold fluid (−253° C. liquid hydrogen or −193° C. to −123° C. from cryogenic pumps), and a second phase where warm fluid (ambient temperature or heated) is mixed in to maintain the target temperature range (−40° C. to −33° C.). This segmentation allows each phase to be optimized independently, reducing the overall complexity of maintaining precise temperature control throughout the entire operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the temperature parameter of the fluid being supplied to the buffer storage reservoir based on the operational phase. During the filling phase, very cold fluid (−253° C. or −193° C. to −123° C.) is supplied, while during the maintenance phase, warm fluid (ambient temperature or heated to +20° C. to +50° C.) is supplied. This parameter change allows the system to achieve precise temperature control (within a few degrees of −40° C. to −33° C.) without requiring continuously complex regulation mechanisms.
2Temperature
If cold flows from liquid hydrogen (−253° C.) or cryogenic pumps (−193° C. to −123° C.) are used, then the cold energy source is available, but the pressure and flow rates vary significantly, making effective management difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer storage reservoir acts as an intermediary between the cold energy source (liquid hydrogen at −253° C. or cryogenic pumps at −193° C. to −123° C.) and the filling operation. The reservoir accumulates cold fluid during the first phase, then releases it during the second phase while receiving warm fluid to maintain temperature. This intermediary buffer decouples the variable pressure and flow rates from the cold source from the requirements of the filling operation, allowing effective management despite significant variations in the cold source characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by filling the buffer storage reservoir with cold fluid (−253° C. or −193° C. to −123° C.) before the actual filling operation begins. This preliminary filling phase allows the system to prepare the required cold energy in advance, decoupling it from the variable pressure and flow rate conditions of the cold source. When the filling operation starts, the pre-prepared cold fluid in the buffer can be delivered at stable conditions, making the system adaptable to various cold source characteristics.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a buffer storage reservoir is used to decouple the cryogenic pump from the filling operation, then flow rate adaptability improves, but pressure and temperature drops during filling must be minimized
Solution Approach 1:
The system ensures continuity of useful action by operating in two continuous phases: first, the buffer storage reservoir is filled with cold fluid from the cryogenic source, and second, warm fluid is mixed with the cold fluid in the buffer to maintain the target temperature (−40° C. to −33° C.) while filling the vehicle tank. This continuous operation without interruption allows the buffer to maintain stable pressure and temperature during the filling phase, minimizing drops while providing flow rate adaptability. The electronic control system continuously monitors and adjusts the mixing ratio to maintain stability throughout the process.
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 allows for efficient and precise temperature regulation, maximizing the cold energy use, reducing electrical consumption, and maintaining a stable pressure and temperature in the buffer storage reservoir, enabling effective filling of hydrogen tanks while minimizing heat losses and pressure variations.
Implementation Method 1
a member for displacing the fluid coming from the source in the downstream direction
Implementation Method 2
the buffer storage reservoir is a tank comprising thermal insulation
Implementation Method 3
the temperature regulating device comprises a portion of the transfer circuit which is duplicated, having two parallel pipes one of which comprises an exchanger for warming the fluid
Data Source
AI summary
Installation and method for filling tanks with pressurized gas in which fluid supplied to the buffer storage reservoir is at a relatively higher first temperature while fluid is being withdrawn from the buffer storage reservoir to fill a tank and fluid is supplied to the buffer storage reservoir at a relatively lower second temperature when fluid is not being withdrawn from the buffer storage reservoir to fill a tank.