Hydrogen Tank Filling via Source Gas Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for filling hydrogen tanks with gaseous hydrogen are inefficient, as they either lengthen filling time by reducing gas transfer flow rates to prevent overheating or require significant energy to cool the gas, and existing systems do not effectively maximize pressure differential for efficient filling.
Innovation Solution
The method involves heating the gas in the source store to a higher temperature during filling to increase the pressure differential with the tank, using a heat exchanger and electronic data acquisition system to control the heating and pressure, thereby optimizing the filling process by adjusting the temperature and pressure differentials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the gas transfer flow rate is reduced to minimize heating-up in the tank, then the temperature control is improved, but the filling time is lengthened
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of cooling the gas before transfer or reducing flow rate to control temperature, the invention inverts the approach by heating the source store gas to increase pressure and flow rate. The temperature in the tank is controlled not by restricting flow but by managing the thermal balance through source store heating and potential cooling of transferred gas if needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the temperature parameter of the source store gas from ambient or cooled states to heated states (e.g., from 20°C to 50-80°C). This parameter change increases the pressure differential and flow rate, allowing faster filling while maintaining temperature control through active management of the heating process and potential cooling of the transferred gas.
2Temperature
If the gas is cooled before entering the tank to minimize temperature rise, then the temperature control is improved, but significant energy resources are required
Solution Approach 1:
The invention inverts the conventional cooling approach by heating the source store gas. Instead of removing heat from the gas before transfer, heat is added to the source store to increase pressure and drive faster flow. This reduces or eliminates the need for energy-intensive cooling systems while maintaining temperature control through alternative means.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the typically harmful heating effect during gas transfer into a beneficial feature. The heating of source store gas increases pressure and flow rate, improving filling efficiency. Any excessive temperature rise in the tank is then managed as a secondary concern rather than the primary control target, fundamentally changing the energy balance of the system.
3Productivity
If multiple source stores are used in cascade to maximize pressure differential, then the filling efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding more source stores to the cascade system, the invention changes the temperature parameter of the existing source store gas. By heating the gas in a single source store, the pressure differential is maximized without requiring multiple stores, thereby maintaining filling efficiency while reducing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the need for multiple source stores from the system by using thermal energy to achieve the same effect. The heating of source store gas replaces the function of additional pressure stages, simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining or improving filling efficiency.
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 enhances filling efficiency by maximizing the pressure differential, reducing the need for compressors, and allowing for better use of the source store, while also providing energy savings by reusing heat energy, resulting in faster filling times and reduced compressor usage.
Implementation Method 1
the gas contained in the source store is heated up to a determined second temperature which is higher than the first temperature
Implementation Method 2
the heating-up of the gas contained in the source store increases its temperature by a determined amount comprised between 10° C. to 60° C. and preferably between 20° C. to 40° C.
Implementation Method 3
the at least one source store is in a heat exchange relationship with a member for heating up the gas stored in the source store
Data Source
AI summary
A method for filling a tank with pressurized gaseous hydrogen from at least one source storage containing pressurized gaseous hydrogen at a first defined temperature and at a defined pressure higher than the pressure in the tank to be filled, in which hydrogen is transferred from the source storage to the tank by pressure balancing via a filling circuit having an upstream end linked to the source storage and a downstream end linked to the tank, and in which the at least one source storage exchanges heat with a member for heating the gas stored in the source storage, during at least a part of the transfer of hydrogen from the source storage to the tank, the gas contained in the source storage being heated to a second defined temperature that is higher than the first temperature.