Hydrogen Supply Adsorption Column Pressure Hold for Purity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Impurities such as sulfur and halogen generated from compressor components mix with hydrogen gas, leading to quality issues, and when the compressor stops, these impurities desorb and diffuse back into the system, compromising the purity of the hydrogen gas.
Innovation Solution
A hydrogen gas supply apparatus with an adsorption column and control valves to adsorb impurities, maintaining high pressure in the adsorption column during compressor stoppage, and using purge gas to prevent desorption and diffusion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If an adsorption column with adsorbent is disposed at the downstream side of the compressor to remove impurities, then the quality of hydrogen gas is improved, but when the compressor stops, the impurities desorb and diffuse toward the compressor side
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by closing the first valve before the compressor stops operation. This preemptive action prevents the pressure drop that would cause impurity desorption and diffusion back toward the compressor, thereby maintaining both hydrogen gas purity and impurity containment reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The control apparatus performs preliminary action by maintaining high pressure in the adsorption column through timely valve closure. This ensures the adsorbent remains in a state capable of holding impurities, preventing their release when the compressor stops
2Productivity
If the compressor operation is stopped after charging hydrogen into the pressure accumulator, then the filling process is completed, but the inside of the compressor is depressurized and impurities desorb and diffuse toward the compressor side
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies preliminary anti-action by closing the first valve before compressor shutdown. This prevents the pressure drop that would trigger impurity desorption, thereby maintaining hydrogen gas purity while allowing the productivity benefit of compressor stopping
3Manufacturing precision
If valves are closed to maintain high pressure in the adsorption column during compressor stoppage, then impurity diffusion is prevented, but additional control complexity is introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The control apparatus uses feedback by monitoring compressor operation status and automatically controlling the first valve accordingly. When the compressor stops, the system detects this and closes the valve to maintain pressure and prevent impurity diffusion, achieving purity control through automated feedback rather than complex manual systems
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
Inhibits the diffusion of adsorbed impurities back into the compressor, maintaining hydrogen gas purity and adhering to ISO standards.
Implementation Method 1
an adsorption column disposed between the compressor and the pressure accumulator, and configured to include an adsorbent which adsorbs impurities mixed in the hydrogen gas discharged from the compressor
Implementation Method 2
a control apparatus configured to control to close the first valve and the second valve while an operation of the compressor is stopped
Data Source
AI summary
A hydrogen gas supply apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention includes a compressor configured to compress hydrogen gas and supply the hydrogen gas compressed to a pressure accumulator which accumulates the hydrogen gas, an adsorption column disposed between the discharge port of the compressor and the pressure accumulator, and configured to include an adsorbent for adsorbing impurities in the hydrogen gas discharged from the compressor, and a plurality of valves disposed at the gas inlet/outlet port side of the adsorption column, being at a discharge port side of the compressor, and configured to be able to seal the adsorption column, wherein the space in the adsorption column is sealed using the plurality of valves such that the inside of the adsorption column is maintained to have a high pressure by the hydrogen gas compressed in the case where the compressor is stopped.