Mobile Hydrogen Refueling Apparatus Eliminating Compressor Complexity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hydrogen refueling systems face inefficiencies and complexities due to the need for compressors and coolers in handling gaseous hydrogen, and the instability and corrosion issues associated with compressing liquid hydrogen, limiting the effective use and transportation of hydrogen energy.
Innovation Solution
A mobile liquid and gaseous hydrogen refueling apparatus that includes a main storage module for pressurizing liquid hydrogen without a compressor, a liquid pumping and transporting module for producing gaseous hydrogen, and a gas compressing and storing module for compressing and storing hydrogen, allowing for efficient conversion and transportation of hydrogen to fuel consumption structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a compressor is used to compress gaseous hydrogen to high pressure, then hydrogen can be supplied to fuel tanks, but the compressor consumes large amounts of power and has complicated configuration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the compressor component from the hydrogen refueling system by using liquid hydrogen's inherent high pressure to directly supply fuel tanks, eliminating the need for mechanical compression and associated power consumption and complexity
Solution Approach 2:
Liquid hydrogen naturally maintains high pressure (20-50 MPa) without requiring external compression, allowing the system to utilize the stored energy in liquid hydrogen itself to supply fuel tanks directly
2Reliability
If a compressor is connected to the vaporizer to compress gaseous hydrogen, then liquid hydrogen can be converted to gaseous hydrogen, but the compressor is easily corroded, has short life span, and is unstable due to severe pressure variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the compressor from the vaporization and supply system by using liquid hydrogen's inherent pressure to directly supply fuel tanks, removing the component subject to corrosion and pressure variations
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of converting liquid hydrogen to gaseous hydrogen through vaporization and compression, the patent directly supplies liquid hydrogen to fuel tanks in its liquid state, reversing the conventional approach and avoiding compressor-related reliability issues
3Quantity of substance
If gaseous hydrogen is transported in gaseous state, then transportation is simpler, but the energy density per volume is lower than liquid hydrogen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the phase transition of hydrogen from gas to liquid state to achieve high energy density during storage and transportation, then allows natural vaporization at the destination to provide fuel without requiring complex compression systems
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 reduces power consumption and enhances hydrogen refueling performance by eliminating the need for compressors and stabilizing liquid hydrogen, enabling efficient supply of both gaseous and liquid hydrogen to various fuel structures while improving system stability and reducing operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
producing gaseous hydrogen for refueling from the pumped liquid hydrogen and the compressed gaseous hydrogen
Implementation Method 2
performing heat exchange between the pumped liquid hydrogen and the compressed gaseous hydrogen
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile liquid and gaseous hydrogen refueling apparatus including: a main storage module for receiving liquid hydrogen to produce first gaseous hydrogen; a liquid pumping and transporting module for receiving the liquid hydrogen, pumping the liquid hydrogen, and producing second gaseous hydrogen; a gas compressing and storing module for receiving at least one of the first gaseous hydrogen and the second gaseous hydrogen and compressing and storing the at least one gaseous hydrogen; and a gas converting and transporting module for receiving the pumped liquid hydrogen and the compressed gaseous hydrogen, performing heat exchange between the pumped liquid hydrogen and the compressed gaseous hydrogen, producing gaseous hydrogen for refueling, and transporting the gaseous hydrogen for refueling to a gaseous hydrogen fuel consumption structure.