Hydrogen Gas Supply Using Dual-Range Compressor Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydrogen gas supply systems face challenges in stably compressing hydrogen at both low and high pressures while maintaining reliability, particularly due to limitations in flow rate and wear issues with hydraulic compressors and piston crank type compressors at high pressures.
Innovation Solution
A hydrogen gas supply method and system utilizing a combination of piston crank type and hydraulic or diaphragm type compressors, where the low-pressure compressor is used for low-pressure regions and the high-pressure compressor is used for high-pressure regions, with a shared electric motor and clutch control for efficient operation, allowing for direct and differential pressure filling methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a hydraulic compressor is used to compress hydrogen to high pressure, then the compression capability is improved, but the service life and reliability decrease due to sealing limitations and wear
Solution Approach 1:
The compression process is divided into two stages: low-pressure compression (0.6-50 MPa) using a piston crank type compressor and high-pressure compression (50-100 MPa) using a hydraulic compressor. This segmentation allows each compressor to operate within its optimal pressure range, improving overall system reliability while maintaining compression capability.
2Productivity
If a piston crank type compressor is used to compress hydrogen at high pressure, then the flow rate is improved, but the service life of wear parts decreases and reliability reduces
Solution Approach 1:
The compression range is segmented into low-pressure and high-pressure regions. The piston crank type compressor handles the low-pressure region where it can achieve high flow rates without excessive wear, while the hydraulic compressor handles the high-pressure region where wear would be problematic, thus optimizing both productivity and reliability.
3Device complexity
If only a high-pressure compressor is used for all pressure requirements, then the system complexity is reduced, but the power consumption increases and the compressor lifespan decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The compression system is segmented into two compressors with distinct pressure ranges. The piston crank type compressor handles low-pressure compression requiring less power, while the hydraulic compressor handles only the final high-pressure stage. This segmentation reduces overall power consumption compared to using a single high-pressure compressor for the entire compression range.
4Device complexity
If a single compressor type is used for both low and high pressure compression, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to satisfy different pressure requirements efficiently is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The compression system is segmented into two specialized compressors: a piston crank type compressor for low-pressure regions and a hydraulic compressor for high-pressure regions. This segmentation provides adaptability to different pressure requirements while maintaining manageable device complexity through clear functional division.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between compressors based on the required pressure region. The control unit determines whether to use the piston crank type compressor, hydraulic compressor, or both in series, allowing the system to adapt efficiently to varying pressure demands without requiring a single overly complex compressor design.
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
The system enables stable compression of hydrogen at both low and high pressures with improved reliability and customer satisfaction, reducing power consumption and extending the lifespan of high-pressure compressors through selective operation and shared components.
Implementation Method 1
the low-pressure compressor is a piston crank type compressor
Implementation Method 2
the high-pressure compressor is a hydraulic compressor or a diaphragm type compressor
Data Source
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AI summary
[Object] To provide a hydrogen gas supply method and a hydrogen gas supply system that can stably compress hydrogen either at low pressure or high pressure and have excellent reliability. [Solution] The hydrogen gas supply method and the hydrogen gas supply system according to the present invention include a low-pressure compressor 1 and a high-pressure compressor 2 that compress hydrogen gas, in which a necessary pressure at a supply destination includes a low-pressure region and a high-pressure region and the hydrogen gas is supplied to the supply destination in accordance with the necessary pressure. The low-pressure compressor 1 is a piston crank type compressor. The high-pressure compressor 2 is a hydraulic compressor or a diaphragm type compressor. When the necessary pressure at the supply destination is in the low-pressure region, the hydrogen gas compressed by the low-pressure compressor 1 is supplied to the supply destination.