Parallel Cryogenic Pump Assembly for Hydrogen Vaporization Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydrogen fueling stations face issues with vaporization of liquid hydrogen due to slight temperature increases, leading to inefficiencies and instability in pumping systems, and horizontally oriented pumps exacerbate these problems by causing uneven wear and top-heaviness.
Innovation Solution
A cryogenic pump design with parallel hydrogen pump cylinders, insulated vacuum jacket, and decoupled hydraulic systems, featuring flex piping and check valves, reduces heat transfer and stabilizes the system by aligning hydraulic components at the bottom, minimizing vaporization and improving efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If liquid hydrogen is stored close to triple point to reduce storage costs, then storage efficiency is improved, but the hydrogen is easily vaporized with slight temperature increase or pressure reduction
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary cooling of the hydrogen to temperatures below the triple point before it enters the pumping system. This preliminary action ensures the hydrogen remains in liquid form and prevents vaporization during subsequent processing, resolving the contradiction between storage efficiency and vaporization resistance
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the temperature parameter by cooling the hydrogen to sub-triple-point temperatures, and maintains pressure parameters above the vaporization curve. This parameter change allows the hydrogen to remain stable in liquid form while maintaining storage efficiency, resolving the contradiction
2Use of energy by moving object
If a single drive rod is used to drive both first stage and second stage pumps, then energy input is reduced, but the first stage pump operates at mass flow rate exceeding second stage pump capacity causing inefficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the drive mechanism into independent hydraulic drive systems for each pump stage. This allows each pump to operate at its optimal flow rate independently, resolving the contradiction between reduced energy input and maintained productivity efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses hydraulic actuation instead of mechanical coupling to drive the pumps. This allows flexible control of each pump's operation based on actual process needs, enabling efficient energy usage while maintaining optimal productivity for each stage
3Reliability
If pump is submerged in liquid hydrogen bath to prevent vaporization, then vaporization is prevented, but vaporized hydrogen migrates to uppermost areas making pumps less effective
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local cooling only where needed - cooling the pump chambers and immediate surrounding areas to prevent vaporization, while allowing the rest of the system to operate at higher temperatures. This localized approach prevents vaporization without causing hydrogen to migrate to upper areas, maintaining pump effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces cooled liquid hydrogen as an intermediary medium that absorbs heat from the pump components, preventing vaporization without creating temperature gradients that would cause vapor migration. This intermediary cooling approach maintains both vaporization prevention and pump effectiveness
4Stability of the object's composition
If pump shafts are horizontally oriented to provide stability, then stability is improved, but pump seals experience uneven wear and increased friction
Solution Approach 1:
The system inverts the conventional horizontal shaft orientation by using vertical shaft configuration. This inversion provides stability through the vertical arrangement while ensuring uniform wear distribution on seals through gravity-assisted lubrication and even load distribution, resolving the contradiction between stability and seal durability
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 design effectively maintains liquid hydrogen in a supercritical state, enhances stability, and reduces energy consumption by minimizing vapor formation, allowing for efficient hydrogen dispensing even from warm starts with extended stroke lengths and precise control.
Implementation Method 1
A cylindrical insulated vacuum jacket is attached to the cold end portion base plate and extends away from the cold end portion base plate
Implementation Method 2
A first hydraulic cylinder positioned outside of the cylindrical insulated vacuum jacket is aligned with the first hydrogen pump cylinder
Implementation Method 3
The first discharge line and the second discharge line are crossed at a crossing location within the cylindrical insulated vacuum jacket
Data Source
AI summary
A hydrogen fueling station includes a cryogenic pump with a cold end portion base plate and a cylindrical insulated vacuum jacket attached to the cold end portion base plate and extending away from the cold end portion base plate. Two hydrogen pump cylinders are positioned in parallel within the cylindrical insulated vacuum jacket. A first hydraulic cylinder is positioned outside of the cylindrical insulated vacuum jacket and aligned with the first hydrogen pump cylinder with the cold end portion base plate positioned between the first hydraulic cylinder and the first hydrogen pump cylinder. A second hydraulic cylinder is located outside of the cylindrical insulated vacuum jacket and adjacent to, and oriented parallel to, the first hydraulic cylinder and aligned with the second hydrogen pump cylinder with the cold end portion base plate positioned between the second hydraulic cylinder and the second hydrogen pump cylinder.