Hydrogen Stream Segmentation for Purity Differentiation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hydrogen refueling systems struggle to provide hydrogen of varying purities efficiently, which is essential for maintaining fuel cell efficiency and extending the lifetime of fuel cell vehicles, as impurities like sulfur can cause irreversible catalyst poisoning and reduce hydrogen availability.
Innovation Solution
A process and system that divide the initial hydrogen stream into two streams, with at least one stream undergoing purification before dispensing, allowing for the sale of both main grade and premium grade hydrogen, utilizing a combination of low and high pressure buffer tanks, compressors, chillers, and purifiers to maintain buffer tank utilization and separate hydrogen qualities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If all hydrogen is purified to highest quality, then fuel cell lifetime and efficiency are maximized, but operational costs and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The hydrogen stream is divided into multiple separate streams with different purity levels. A purification unit processes only a portion of the hydrogen to achieve high purity for premium dispensing, while the remaining hydrogen is dispensed at standard purity levels, avoiding the need to purify the entire supply.
Solution Approach 2:
Different purity levels of hydrogen are provided at different dispensing points or through different dispensers. The system offers both standard grade and premium grade hydrogen to match different customer needs and vehicle requirements, rather than providing uniform high purity throughout.
2Manufacturing precision
If hydrogen purification is implemented, then impurity levels are reduced, but capital and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of purifying 100% of the hydrogen supply, the system applies purification to only the necessary portion required to meet premium grade standards. This partial action approach achieves the required purity levels for high-value dispensing while avoiding the excessive capital investment needed for complete stream purification.
3Productivity
If multiple buffer tanks are used to maintain utilization, then hydrogen availability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer tanks serve multiple functions: they maintain system pressure, ensure continuous hydrogen availability during purification cycles, and enable the separation of different purity streams. The same infrastructure supports both standard and premium hydrogen dispensing operations.
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 the efficient dispensing of hydrogen at different purities, reducing impurities and extending fuel cell lifetime, potentially lowering operational and maintenance costs by providing higher purity hydrogen options.
Implementation Method 1
other impurities have more serious consequences for the lifetime of the fuel cell. Cumulative and irreversible efficiency reduction through 'poisoning' of the catalyst (adsorption on to its surface, reducing the number of active sites), for example, is caused by even very small (ppm) amounts of sulphur.
Implementation Method 2
Hydrogen of a purity high enough for fuel cell cars and up to the relevant standards is delivered (in gaseous form, commonly) to one or more storage tanks at the station, then compressed and stored in high pressure buffer tanks.
Implementation Method 3
It is then cooled and dispensed.
Data Source
Figure 1a~2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
The present invention provides a process for dispensing gaseous hydrogen at a refuelling station comprising before dispensing dividing an initial hydrogen stream into at least two streams, wherein at least one of the streams is purified in a hydrogen purification step. In a further aspect the invention provides a system for dispensing gaseous hydrogen.