Multiphase Hydrogen Aircraft Refueling Hydrant for Cryogenic Line Purging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional airports lack efficient systems to refuel hydrogen-powered aircraft concurrently from a common fuel source, leading to limitations in the number of aircraft that can be accommodated and inefficiencies in hydrogen fuel management, including waste and logistical complications.
Innovation Solution
A multiphase hydrogen refueling system that includes an LH2 tank, CcH2 tank, GH2 tank, LN2 tank, and CNG tank, allowing simultaneous refueling of hydrogen aircraft with multiple phases and types of fuel through a hydrant system that purges and cools transfer lines to prevent contamination and conserve fuel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional refueling systems are used at airports, then the system structure is simple, but the number of aircraft that can be refueled concurrently is limited and logistical complications increase
Solution Approach 1:
The refueling system is segmented into multiple independent hydrant units, each capable of serving one aircraft simultaneously. Each hydrant includes its own transfer lines, valves, and control mechanisms, allowing parallel refueling operations without interference between aircraft.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydrant system is designed as a universal platform that can refuel aircraft with different fuel types (LH2, CcH2, GH2) through a common infrastructure. The system can accommodate various aircraft configurations and fuel requirements using the same basic hydrant structure with appropriate phase selection.
2Productivity
If liquid hydrogen is transferred without cooling the transfer line, then the refueling process is faster, but hydrogen evaporation increases and fuel is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer line is pre-cooled to cryogenic temperatures before liquid hydrogen transfer begins. This preliminary cooling action prevents heat ingress during the refueling process, eliminating hydrogen evaporation and fuel waste while maintaining efficient refueling speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes phase transition principles by maintaining the transfer line at cryogenic temperatures where liquid hydrogen can flow without evaporation. The line is cooled below the boiling point of hydrogen, ensuring the fuel remains in liquid phase throughout transfer and preventing vaporization losses.
3Device complexity
If air is not purged from the transfer line before refueling, then the refueling process is simpler, but hydrogen mixes with air creating safety hazards and contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer line is purged with an inert gas (typically nitrogen) before and during refueling operations. This creates an inert atmosphere that prevents hydrogen-air mixing, eliminating fire hazards and contamination while ensuring fuel purity. The inert gas displaces oxygen and maintains a safe environment throughout the refueling process.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple fuel phases are available, then fuel selection flexibility increases, but the system complexity and infrastructure requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple fuel phase storage tanks (LH2, CcH2, GH2) are merged into a single integrated hydrant system. The hydrant incorporates multiple phase selection valves and transfer line configurations that allow access to different fuel phases through one unified interface, eliminating the need for separate refueling infrastructure for each fuel type.
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 simultaneous refueling of hydrogen aircraft with multiple fuel types at a single hydrant, reducing logistical complications, conserving hydrogen fuel, and improving refueling efficiency by preventing evaporation and maintaining consistent flow rates.
Implementation Method 1
cool the transfer line with the liquid hydrogen to be transferred through the transfer line
Implementation Method 2
purge the transfer line with the liquid hydrogen to be transferred through the transfer line
Data Source
AI summary
Example systems, methods, and apparats for refueling hydrogen aircraft are disclosed herein. An example multiphase hydrogen refueling system includes a liquid hydrogen (LH2) tank coupled to at least one of a cryo-compressed hydrogen (CcH2) tank and a gaseous hydrogen (GH2) tank; a liquid nitrogen (LN2) tank; and a hydrant coupled to the LH2 tank, the CcH2 tank, the GH2 tank, and the LN2 tank, the hydrant including: a transfer line to refuel an aircraft with at least LH2, CcH2, or GH2; a purge valve to purge the transfer line using at least one of nitrogen (N2) from the LN2 tank or GH2 from the GH2 tank; and a GH2 return line to transmit evaporated GH2 back to the GH2 tank.