Mobile Hydrogen Refueling System for Mining Sites
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hydrogen infrastructure is inadequate for large-scale industrial applications, particularly in mining, due to size constraints, safety risks, and operational limitations of road-going hydrogen tankers and trailers.
Innovation Solution
A mobile hydrogen refueling system comprising a heavy equipment vehicle with a platform, a hydrogen storage module, and a compression module, capable of storing multiple hydrogen tanks and compressing hydrogen to high pressure for efficient refueling of hydrogen powerplants in industrial settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If road-going hydrogen tankers and trailers are used for hydrogen transportation, then hydrogen distribution is provided, but the system is limited by highway size constraints and cannot serve large-scale industrial applications
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the hydrogen storage and refueling function into portable modular units that can be deployed in distributed locations throughout the industrial site, eliminating the need for a single large highway-compliant tanker while achieving equivalent or greater total hydrogen delivery capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from highway-based transportation (constrained by road regulations) to site-based deployment within industrial facilities, moving the problem from a two-dimensional road network to a three-dimensional facility environment where size constraints do not apply
2Quantity of substance
If permanent and fixed storage and dispensing equipment is installed, then high-volume hydrogen supply is achieved, but the system inhibits mine development and operational flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs dynamically deployable and reconfigurable hydrogen storage units that can be moved, added, or removed based on operational needs, allowing the hydrogen supply infrastructure to adapt flexibly to changing mine development requirements while maintaining high-volume supply capability
Solution Approach 2:
The modular hydrogen storage and dispensing units are designed to serve multiple functions and locations within the industrial facility, replacing the need for dedicated fixed infrastructure at each potential hydrogen delivery point while maintaining high supply volumes through coordinated operation of multiple units
3Quantity of substance
If high-capacity trailers transporting up to 1,100 kg of hydrogen are used, then hydrogen transportation capacity is increased, but safety risks associated with collision and interaction increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the total hydrogen transport capacity into multiple smaller portable units distributed throughout the facility, so that if a collision or accident occurs, only a portion of the total hydrogen inventory is affected rather than the entire load in a single high-capacity trailer
Solution Approach 2:
The distributed deployment of smaller hydrogen storage units throughout the facility creates inherent safety buffers between hydrogen storage locations and potential hazard zones, reducing the consequences of accidental collisions or interactions before they can affect large quantities of hydrogen
4Ease of operation
If road-going hydrogen tankers are used, then hydrogen distribution is provided, but preparation of smooth surfaced roadways is required
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of bringing the hydrogen delivery system to existing roadways (requiring roadway preparation), the system brings portable hydrogen storage and dispensing units directly to the points of use within the facility, inverting the traditional transportation model and eliminating the need for roadway preparation entirely
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
The system enables continuous operation of hydrogen-powered equipment, supports high utilization rates, and facilitates rapid refueling with reduced safety risks, addressing the limitations of existing hydrogen infrastructure in large-scale industrial applications.
Implementation Method 1
The compression module is configured to receive a flow of hydrogen from a hydrogen tank in the storage module via a manifold and to compress the flow of hydrogen to produce a flow of high-pressure hydrogen
Implementation Method 2
the compression module can include a chiller fluidically coupled between a compressor and the refueling interface and can be configured to cool the high-pressure hydrogen provided to the refueling interface
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for mobile hydrogen refueling includes a heavy equipment vehicle having a size exceeding highway size constraints and a platform coupled to the vehicle. A hydrogen storage module and a compression module are removably coupleable to the platform. The storage module is configured to store a number of hydrogen tanks. The compression module is configured to compress a flow of hydrogen from a hydrogen tank in the storage module via a manifold to produce a flow of high-pressure hydrogen. A refueling interface is configured to engage a refueling interface of a hydrogen powerplant and to selectively convey a flow of high-pressure hydrogen from the compression module. In some implementations, the compression module can include a chiller configured to cool the high-pressure hydrogen provided to the refueling interface. In some implementations, a power module is configured to provide electric power to at least the compression module and/or the vehicle.