Hydrogen Filling Device Dynamic Cooling Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hydrogen gas filling methods at hydrogen stations are inefficient due to excessive cooling requirements and a conservative filling speed, leading to wasted time and increased energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that calculate the filling speed of hydrogen gas based on the temperature difference between a preset maximum temperature and the initial tank temperature, allowing for optimized filling without excessive cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the hydrogen gas is cooled enough to prevent the supply temperature from increasing, then the temperature control is improved, but a large amount of electric power is required to circulate the refrigerant
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial cooling by determining a specific cooling degree based on the relationship between filling speed and temperature increase. Instead of constantly cooling the hydrogen gas to a fixed low temperature, the system cools the gas to a程度 (degree) that is sufficient to control temperature rise during filling, but not excessive. The cooling degree is determined by calculating the expected temperature increase based on filling speed, and setting the target temperature accordingly, thus avoiding unnecessary energy consumption from excessive cooling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic cooling control by adjusting the cooling degree according to the filling speed. The control unit determines the target temperature of hydrogen gas based on the relationship between filling speed and temperature increase. When filling speed is high, greater cooling is applied; when filling speed is low, less cooling is needed. This dynamic adjustment optimizes the balance between temperature control and energy consumption, avoiding constant excessive cooling.
2Temperature
If a filling speed is determined according to the estimated filling time with a large margin, then the temperature increase of the fuel tank is controlled, but the filling speed is set lower than the actual filling capacity, resulting in wasted filling time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by continuously monitoring the actual temperature increase during filling and adjusting the filling speed accordingly. The control unit determines the target temperature based on the relationship between filling speed and temperature increase, and compares it with the actual temperature. Based on this feedback, the system dynamically adjusts the filling speed to optimize both temperature control and filling time, avoiding the need for excessive safety margins that would reduce filling speed unnecessarily.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the filling speed parameter dynamically based on the relationship between filling speed and temperature increase. Instead of using a fixed, conservative filling speed with large margins, the system adjusts the filling speed parameter in real-time according to the actual temperature conditions and the calculated relationship, thereby optimizing the balance between temperature control and filling efficiency.
3Temperature
If the hydrogen gas is cooled to −40° C. to prevent supply temperature increase, then the temperature control is improved, but the energy consumption increases due to constant refrigerant circulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial cooling by determining a specific cooling degree based on the relationship between filling speed and temperature increase. Instead of constantly cooling the hydrogen gas to a fixed low temperature of −40° C., the system cools the gas to a程度 (degree) that is sufficient to control temperature rise during filling, but not excessive. The cooling degree is determined by calculating the expected temperature increase based on filling speed, and setting the target temperature accordingly, thus avoiding unnecessary energy consumption from excessive cooling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic cooling control by adjusting the cooling degree according to the filling speed. The control unit determines the target temperature of hydrogen gas based on the relationship between filling speed and temperature increase. When filling speed is high, greater cooling is applied; when filling speed is low, less cooling is needed. This dynamic adjustment optimizes the balance between temperature control and energy consumption, avoiding constant excessive cooling.
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 approach enables faster hydrogen gas filling by eliminating unnecessary margins, reducing energy consumption by minimizing refrigerant circulation during non-filling periods, and improving overall efficiency at hydrogen stations.
Implementation Method 1
a differential pressure between a pressure inside the accumulator and a pressure of a fuel tank of the FCV is greatly maintained, and the FCV is rapidly filled with the hydrogen gas by the differential pressure from the accumulator to the fuel tank
Implementation Method 2
a cooler (precooler) in the dispenser is constantly supplied with a refrigerant from a refrigerator, and the hydrogen gas is cooled to, for example, −40° C.
Data Source
AI summary
A control circuit controls fillings speeds of hydrogen gas filling a fuel tank. The control circuit a) receives values of a characteristic of the tank during a process of filling the tank with the hydrogen gas, b) calculates at different times during the filling process the differences between a preset threshold of the characteristic of the tank and the values of the characteristic of the tank received at the different times during the filling process, c) calculates plural filling speeds of the hydrogen gas filling the tank during the filling process, each of the filling speeds depending on one of the plurality of differences between the preset threshold and the values of the characteristic of the tank received at the different times during the filling process, and d) controls an operation of a dispenser for filling the tank with the hydrogen gas at the calculated filling speeds.