Hydrogen Refueling Station Ejector System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydrogen refueling stations rely heavily on large compressors, which are noisy, energy-intensive, and inefficient, and they use compressed gaseous hydrogen with low energy-per-unit-weight.
Innovation Solution
A hydrogen refueling station design that includes a plurality of heaters for isochoric heating of liquid hydrogen, an ejector system with optimized geometry for efficient hydrogen flow, and a configuration that eliminates the need for high-pressure compressors, utilizing liquid hydrogen for increased energy efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If large compressors are used to move hydrogen between station components and for pressurizing hydrogen, then hydrogen refueling capability is achieved, but noise levels increase and energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical compressors with a thermal field-based system. Heaters heat liquid hydrogen to generate high-pressure gaseous hydrogen, and ejectors use fluid dynamics to transfer and pressurize hydrogen without mechanical moving parts. This substitution eliminates the noise associated with compressor operation while maintaining refueling capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of hydrogen from compressed gas to liquid form for storage and transport. Liquid hydrogen occupies less volume and can be heated to generate high pressure naturally, eliminating the need for mechanical compression. This parameter change (from gaseous to liquid state) resolves the contradiction between refueling capability and noise reduction.
2Productivity
If large compressors are used to move hydrogen between station components and for pressurizing hydrogen, then hydrogen refueling capability is achieved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes phase transition of hydrogen from liquid to gaseous state through heating. Liquid hydrogen is heated in heaters to become high-pressure gaseous hydrogen, which then flows through ejectors for refueling. This phase transition process naturally generates the pressure needed for refueling without requiring energy-intensive mechanical compressors, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining refueling capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical compressors with a thermal field-based system. Heaters heat liquid hydrogen to generate high-pressure gaseous hydrogen, and ejectors use fluid dynamics to transfer and pressurize hydrogen without mechanical moving parts. This substitution eliminates the energy consumption associated with compressor operation while maintaining refueling capability.
3Ease of operation
If compressed gaseous hydrogen is used for refueling, then refueling operation is simplified, but energy-per-unit-weight decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of hydrogen from compressed gas to liquid form for storage and transport. Liquid hydrogen occupies less volume and contains higher energy density per unit weight. The system heats liquid hydrogen to generate high-pressure gaseous hydrogen for refueling, combining the advantages of both liquid storage (high energy density) and gaseous delivery (operational simplicity).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the hydrogen system into distinct functional components: liquid hydrogen storage tanks, heaters for phase transition, ejectors for pressure regulation and transfer, and refueling dispensers. This segmentation allows liquid hydrogen to be stored efficiently while enabling simplified gaseous refueling operations through the intermediate heating and ejector stages.
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 design reduces operational and capital expenses, minimizes noise and footprint, and enhances energy efficiency by utilizing liquid hydrogen, which offers higher energy-per-unit-weight compared to compressed gaseous hydrogen.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of heaters; and wherein said at least one ejector is configured to receive gaseous hydrogen from at least a first of said plurality of heaters
Implementation Method 2
heaters for heating and thereby pressurizing hydrogen, and an ejector for evacuating gaseous hydrogen from the heaters
Implementation Method 3
at least one ejector comprising a first ejector inlet, a second ejector inlet, and an ejector outlet; said at least one ejector is configured to receive gaseous hydrogen from at least a first of said plurality of heaters and to simultaneously evacuate gaseous hydrogen from at least a second heater
Data Source
AI summary
A hydrogen refueling station including a number of heaters, an ejector with a first ejector inlet, a second ejector inlet, and an ejector outlet, a storage tank fluidly connectable to the first and second ejector inlets via the heaters and configured to store liquid hydrogen, where valves are configured to control a flow of the liquid hydrogen in conduits between the storage tank and the heaters and gaseous hydrogen in conduits between the heaters and at least one ejector, and where the ejector is configured to receive gaseous hydrogen from at least a first of the plurality of heaters and to simultaneously evacuate gaseous hydrogen from at least a second heater of the plurality of heaters via the second ejector inlet.