Hydrogen Fuel Supply Layout With Expander Pressure Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hydrogen fuel storage and supply systems for heavy-duty vehicles face challenges in delivering hydrogen gas at the correct pressure to fuel-consuming power sources like internal combustion engines and fuel cell systems, leading to energy inefficiencies and difficulties in achieving precise pressure control.
Innovation Solution
A fuel storage and supply system incorporating an expander in the fuel conduit arrangement to convert pressurized hydrogen's energy into mechanical work, combined with a control system using multiple fuel control valves and a controller to regulate fuel flow based on tank and power source demands, allowing for precise pressure and flow rate adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If high-pressure storage tanks (700 bar) are used to store hydrogen fuel, then the fuel can be stored in a compact form, but the fuel injection system requires complex pressure regulation to deliver fuel at lower pressures (6-20 bar)
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and utilizes the compression energy that is normally wasted during pressure regulation. The expansion machine captures the energy from hydrogen expanding from 700 bar to 6-20 bar, converting it to mechanical work that can power accessories or assist propulsion, thereby eliminating the need for complex active pressure regulation systems while maintaining efficient fuel delivery
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the harmful energy loss that occurs during pressure reduction into a beneficial resource. The expansion machine captures the energy that would otherwise be dissipated as heat during decompression, transforming it into useful mechanical work that benefits the vehicle system
2Reliability
If conventional pressure regulation systems are used to deliver fuel at correct pressure, then fuel can be supplied to the power source, but energy efficiency is reduced due to compression energy loss
Solution Approach 1:
The expansion machine captures the energy that would otherwise be lost during pressure regulation, converting it into useful mechanical work. This maintains reliable fuel delivery while eliminating the energy efficiency problem associated with conventional pressure regulation systems
3Reliability
If pressure regulation systems are used to control fuel flow, then fuel can be delivered at correct pressure, but delays occur in reaching demanded fuel injection pressures
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of actively regulating pressure down from 700 bar to 6-20 bar using complex valve systems, the invention inverts the approach by allowing natural expansion to occur and capturing the energy in the process. This passive expansion method eliminates response delays while maintaining precise pressure control through the expansion machine's mechanical characteristics
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
Enhances energy efficiency by recovering compression energy, improves pressure control during varying operating conditions, and reduces delays in reaching demanded fuel injection pressures, thereby optimizing fuel delivery to internal combustion engines and fuel cell systems.
Implementation Method 1
an expander disposed in the fuel conduit arrangement and further arranged downstream the number of tanks, the expander being configured to convert at least a portion of the energy from the pressurized fuel into mechanical work
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel storage and supply system for a vehicle, the fuel storage and supply system including: a number of fuel storage tanks for storing a pressurized fuel; a fuel conduit arrangement configured to be in fluid communication with the number of tanks; an expander disposed in the fuel conduit arrangement and further arranged downstream the number of tanks, the expander being configured to convert at least a portion of the energy from the pressurized fuel into mechanical work; and a fuel supply control system, the fuel supply control system including a fuel control valve arrangement disposed in the fuel conduit arrangement, the fuel control valve arrangement having a first fuel control valve disposed in the fuel conduit arrangement and in-between the number of tanks and the expander, the first fuel control valve being configured to regulate a flow of the pressurized fuel.