Hydrogen Tank Feed Line Pre-Cooling Method
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Solution Overview
Problem
Maintaining the hydrogen temperature within a narrow range of −33 to −40°C during fueling of hydrogen storage tanks is challenging due to changing temperature conditions in pipelines, leading to increased costs and complexity in cooling the tank feed line, which can result in interrupted fueling processes.
Innovation Solution
A method where a cooling flow of hydrogen is guided through the tank feed line before filling, using a return line to recycle the cooling medium and a thermoblock cooling device to maintain the target temperature, allowing efficient cooling of the tank feed line and ensuring the hydrogen reaches the storage tank at the correct temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the tank feed line is cooled to maintain hydrogen temperature within −33 to −40°C, then the fueling process reliability is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase due to required cooling devices
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the hydrogen medium itself as the cooling agent by circulating it through the tank feed line before fueling. This self-service approach eliminates the need for external cooling devices, maintaining temperature control while reducing system complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The tank feed line serves dual functions: transporting hydrogen during fueling and acting as a cooling channel during the pre-cooling phase. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate cooling devices, reducing both complexity and cost while maintaining reliability.
2Manufacturing precision
If a cooling device is positioned close to the fueling nozzle to cool the tank feed line, then the temperature control precision is improved, but the cost and device complexity significantly increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary cooling of the tank feed line by circulating hydrogen through it before the actual fueling process begins. This pre-action ensures the line is already at the correct temperature, eliminating the need for complex cooling devices at the nozzle location and maintaining temperature precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling function is extracted from the fueling nozzle assembly and integrated into the tank feed line itself. By using the feed line as the cooling channel, the system eliminates the need for separate cooling devices at the nozzle, reducing complexity while maintaining temperature control precision.
3Device complexity
If the tank feed line is not cooled, then the device complexity and cost are reduced, but the hydrogen temperature exceeds the prescribed range and fueling must be interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The hydrogen medium performs dual duty by first cooling the tank feed line and then being fueled into the vehicle tank. This self-service approach ensures continuous fueling operation without interruption while avoiding complex cooling systems, maintaining both simplicity and productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous useful action by using the same hydrogen flow for both cooling and fueling purposes. The cooling phase precedes the fueling phase without interruption, ensuring continuous operation while keeping the system simple and cost-effective.
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 method allows for quick and cost-effective cooling of the tank feed line, ensuring hydrogen is introduced into the storage tank within the prescribed temperature range, thereby preventing temperature fluctuations and ensuring uninterrupted fueling processes.
Implementation Method 1
a flow of the medium for cooling the tank feed line is guided through the tank feed line
Data Source
AI summary
A method for filling up a storage tank (e.g., a vehicle tank) with a gaseous, pressurized medium, in particular in the form of hydrogen, in which a supply tank system for storing the hydrogen is connected with the storage tank to be filled by way of a tank feed line and a fueling valve, wherein, prior to filling up the storage tank with aforesaid medium with the fueling valve closed, a flow of the medium for cooling the tank feed line is guided through the tank feed line at a predefinable target temperature, and removed from the tank feed line through a line that branches away upstream from the fueling valve. The disclosure further provides for a fueling facility for filling up a storage tank.