Two-Stage Hydrogen Compressor Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydrogen stations face challenges in uniformly controlling the temperature of hydrogen supplied to fuel cell vehicles, leading to abrupt temperature increases in hydrogen tanks due to the Joule-Thompson effect, which can damage equipment and reduce efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A hydrogen station design incorporating a first reciprocating compressor, an intermediate passage, a second reciprocating compressor, a cooling device, a pressure sensor, and a control unit that adjusts the driver's revolution based on detected pressure to manage temperature and pressure effectively, using a configuration with two-stage reciprocating compressors and cooling systems to stabilize hydrogen temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If hydrogen is charged to the hydrogen tank at high pressure, then the charging speed and productivity are improved, but the temperature of hydrogen increases due to the Joule-Thompson effect, causing harmful thermal effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single compression stage into two sequential compression stages. The first reciprocating compressor compresses hydrogen to an intermediate pressure, and the second reciprocating compressor further compresses it to the final high pressure (100 MPa). This segmentation allows temperature management between stages and prevents excessive temperature rise that would occur in a single-stage compression process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediate passage connecting the first and second compressors, which serves as a mediator to transfer hydrogen between compression stages. This intermediate passage allows for pressure and temperature regulation during the transition, enabling controlled compression while managing the thermal effects of the Joule-Thompson phenomenon.
2Device complexity
If a single reciprocating compressor is used to compress hydrogen to high pressure, then the device complexity is reduced, but the temperature control precision and uniformity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the compression process into two distinct stages with two separate reciprocating compressors. Each compressor operates at a different pressure level, allowing independent optimization and control of temperature and pressure parameters at each stage, thereby achieving superior temperature control precision compared to a single compressor system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic control of the compression process by using two independently operable reciprocating compressors. This dynamic configuration allows flexible adjustment of compression parameters, flow rates, and timing to maintain uniform temperature distribution and precise temperature control throughout the hydrogen charging process.
3Productivity
If the hydrogen charging process is accelerated, then the productivity is improved, but the temperature increase becomes more abrupt and harmful
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the compression process into two stages, the patent enables accelerated charging while managing temperature rise. The first compressor handles the initial compression at a controlled rate, and the second compressor completes the high-pressure compression, with the intermediate passage allowing thermal management between stages to prevent abrupt temperature increases even during high-speed charging.
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 configuration allows for continuous control of hydrogen temperature and pressure, effectively suppressing temperature increases in hydrogen tanks, ensuring safe and efficient hydrogen charging by maintaining the internal temperature within allowed limits.
Implementation Method 1
a first reciprocating compressor (a low-pressure-stage reciprocating compressor: 4)
Implementation Method 2
a cooling device (a discharge-side cooler: 19, 22) that is capable of cooling the hydrogen supplied from the second reciprocating compressor (14) to the hydrogen tank (28)
Implementation Method 3
a pressure sensor (16) that detects an internal pressure of the intermediate passage (6)
Implementation Method 4
a control unit (30) that controls the revolution of a driver (5, 15) driving the first reciprocating compressor (4, 14) based on the pressure detected by the pressure sensor (16)
Implementation Method 5
in a case where a gas is expanded while a difference in pressure thereof is maintained when a high-pressure gas of a supply source is transferred (that is, expanded) to a low-pressure state of a supply target, a change in temperature occurs in the gas due to the Joule-Thompson effect
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a hydrogen station (1) that supplies hydrogen to an external hydrogen tank (28), the hydrogen station (1) including: a first reciprocating compressor (4) that is driven by a driver (5) of which revolution is controllable; an intermediate passage (6) through which the hydrogen compressed by the first reciprocating compressor (4) flows; a second reciprocating compressor (14) that is connected to the first reciprocating compressor (4) through the intermediate passage (6); a cooling device (19, 22) that is capable of cooling the hydrogen supplied from the second reciprocating compressor (14) to the hydrogen tank (28); a pressure sensor (16) that detects an internal pressure (P1) of the intermediate passage (6); and a control unit (30) that controls the revolution of the driver (5) driving the first reciprocating compressor (4) based on the pressure (P1) detected by the pressure sensor (16).