Hydrogen Adsorption Column Pressure Sealing Against Impurity Back-Diffusion
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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 compressor side due to pressure changes.
Innovation Solution
A hydrogen gas supply apparatus with a compressor, pressure accumulator, adsorption column, and control valves to manage gas flow, including a vent line and adsorbent to adsorb impurities, and control valves to maintain high pressure in the adsorption column during compressor stoppage.
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 hydrogen gas quality is improved, but impurities desorb and diffuse toward the compressor side when the compressor stops
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies preliminary anti-action by introducing a counter-flow of clean hydrogen gas through the adsorption column before the compressor stops. This pre-established flow creates a protective barrier that prevents impurities from desorbing and diffusing back toward the compressor side, directly counteracting the harmful effect before it can occur
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses an intermediary substance (clean hydrogen gas) to mediate between the adsorption column and the compressor. This intermediary flow acts as a buffer that blocks the diffusion path of impurities, allowing the adsorption column to maintain its function without contaminating the compressor during shutdown
2Loss of energy
If the compressor operation is stopped after charging hydrogen into the pressure accumulator, then energy consumption is reduced, but the inside of the compressor is depressurized causing impurities to desorb
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies preliminary action by maintaining pressure in the adsorption column through continuous or periodic flow of hydrogen gas even after the compressor stops. This pre-maintained pressure state prevents the desorption of impurities that would otherwise occur due to pressure drop, ensuring gas purity is preserved during the energy-saving shutdown period
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 to the compressor side, maintaining hydrogen gas quality within specifications for fuel cell vehicles.
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 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.