Hydrogen Storage Leak Detection Using Thermodynamic Mass Estimation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hydrogen leak detection systems in fuel cell systems are slow to respond, making it difficult to accurately detect hydrogen leaks before they become significant, especially when the system is powered on, which can lead to safety and efficiency issues.
Innovation Solution
A system that utilizes temperature and pressure sensors to estimate the mass of hydrogen in the storage system, calculating a hydrogen mass leak rate by comparing initial and final measurements after system wake-up, and incorporating a calibrated delay to account for hydrogen permeability, with a notification system to alert users of leaks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If hydrogen concentration sensors are used for leak detection, then hydrogen concentration can be detected, but the response time is delayed and accurate detection before significant leaks is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary mass measurement of hydrogen in the storage system before actual leak detection is needed. By continuously monitoring hydrogen mass and comparing it against expected consumption rates, the system can detect leaks before they become significant, bypassing the slow response time of traditional concentration sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/chemical hydrogen concentration sensing system with a thermodynamic mass measurement system. Instead of using reactive sensors that measure hydrogen concentration directly, the system uses temperature and pressure sensors to calculate hydrogen mass, providing faster and more accurate leak detection.
2Loss of time
If thermodynamic measurements are used to calculate hydrogen mass, then immediate leak detection is enabled, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature and pressure sensors serve multiple functions: they monitor thermodynamic conditions for mass calculation, detect leaks through mass change analysis, and provide data for system diagnostics. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated leak detection hardware, thereby limiting the increase in system complexity.
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
Enables immediate detection of hydrogen leaks after system wake-up, preventing damage and ensuring safety by accurately measuring thermodynamic properties and communicating leaks to other system components.
Implementation Method 1
a temperature sensor and a pressure sensor configured to estimate a mass of the hydrogen in the hydrogen storage system based on measurements of one or more thermodynamic properties of the hydrogen
Implementation Method 2
a temperature sensor and a pressure sensor configured to estimate a mass of the hydrogen in the hydrogen storage system based on measurements of one or more thermodynamic properties of the hydrogen
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B~1C
Figure 1D
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to systems and methods of detecting a hydrogen leak in a system comprising a hydrogen storage system storing hydrogen, a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, a hydrogen storage system controller, and a notification system. The hydrogen storage system controller is configured to measure thermodynamic properties of the hydrogen in the hydrogen storage system, and the thermodynamic properties of the hydrogen are used to determine if there is a hydrogen leak in the fuel cell system. The notification system alerts a user of any detected hydrogen leak.