Hydrogen Supply Pipe Cooling Circuit Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hydrogen refueling systems face challenges in rapidly cooling the hydrogen supply pipe to the required temperature range of minus 33°C to minus 40°C within 30 seconds, especially after a period of inactivity, due to thermal inertia of components, and existing solutions either require lengthy return paths for cooling or limit design flexibility.
Innovation Solution
A hydrogen refueling system with a cooling circuit thermally connected to the supply pipe, utilizing a forward and return path for the cooling media, where the forward path is thermally connected to the supply pipe near the dispenser and the return path is thermally isolated, allowing for continuous circulation and efficient heat transfer, reducing net heat transfer and maintaining the desired temperature range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If existing cooling solutions are used, then cooling capability is provided, but system complexity increases due to lengthy return paths or additional cooling requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the cooling media supply path and return path into a single integrated cooling circuit that is thermally connected to the supply pipe. The cooling media flows through the supply pipe itself, using the pipe wall as a heat exchanger surface, thereby merging the cooling function with the existing supply infrastructure and avoiding separate complex cooling components.
Solution Approach 2:
The supply pipe serves dual functions: transporting hydrogen and acting as a heat exchanger for cooling. The cooling circuit utilizes the supply pipe structure itself for thermal exchange, making the supply pipe a multi-functional component that eliminates the need for separate dedicated cooling equipment.
2Temperature
If cooling system capacity is increased to handle long distances, then temperature control is improved, but design flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the thermal connection parameters along the supply pipe, with the degree of thermal connection varying according to the local heat transfer requirements. This allows the cooling system to adapt to different distances and ambient conditions without requiring a complete redesign of the cooling capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling circuit is designed with dynamic thermal connection characteristics along the supply pipe length, allowing the system to adapt to varying operational conditions and distances between compressor station and dispenser, thereby maintaining design flexibility.
3Temperature
If thermal connection is provided along the entire supply pipe, then cooling efficiency is improved, but net heat transfer from ambient increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies thermal connection at specific locations along the supply pipe where it is most needed, rather than uniformly along the entire length. The cooling circuit is thermally connected to the supply pipe in a manner that provides cooling where required while minimizing unnecessary thermal exchange with the ambient environment.
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 solution enables precise temperature control of the supply pipe within the desired range, reducing net heat transfer and maintaining the temperature between refueling processes, thus ensuring efficient hydrogen delivery and flexibility in system design.
Implementation Method 1
at least part of the cooling circuit is thermally connected to the supply pipe
Implementation Method 2
the forward path is thermally connected to the supply pipe near the dispenser and the return path is thermally isolated
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to hydrogen refueling system for refueling a vehicle with hydrogen. The system comprises a hydrogen supply, a hydrogen center enclosure comprising a cooling system. The cooling system is arranged for cooling the hydrogen delivered to the vehicle. The system further comprises a dispenser arranged for supplying the hydrogen to the vessel of the vehicle. A supply pipe is arranged for guiding the hydrogen from the center enclosure to the dispenser. The system further comprises a forward path arranged for guiding a supply pipe cooling media from the hydrogen center enclosure towards the dispenser, and a return path arranged for guiding at least a fraction of the supply pipe cooling media back to the hydrogen center enclosure, where at least one of the forward and return paths are thermally connected with the cooling system.