Rotating Gas Filling Joint for Leak-Safe High-Pressure Transfer
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing high-pressure gas filling and unloading systems face inefficiencies and safety risks due to cumbersome connections, potential leaks, and unsound safety measures, particularly in hydrogen filling stations, which can lead to explosions and inefficient operations.
Innovation Solution
A high-pressure gas filling and unloading system utilizing double-channel rotating joints and a filling and unloading joint with a control mechanism to ensure reliable connections and safe discharge of displacement gas, reducing the risk of leaks and enhancing operational safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If threaded joint connection is used for high-pressure gas filling and unloading, then the connection can be established, but the operation becomes cumbersome and sealing reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is divided into separate components: a quick connector body, a detachable coupling mechanism, and sealing elements. This segmentation allows for easier operation while maintaining reliable sealing through dedicated sealing components at each interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection mechanism incorporates dynamic elements including rotating joints that can pivot under pressure, and a coupling system that transitions from disconnected to locked states. This dynamic design enables quick connection/disconnection while maintaining sealed integrity during operation.
2Productivity
If conventional hose connection is used, then filling and unloading can be performed, but safety hazards increase due to potential pull-off and high-speed gas jet
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates safety features that activate before hazardous conditions develop: pressure-sensitive locking mechanisms that engage before high pressure builds, and automatic shut-off valves that close before gas jet can occur. This preemptive approach maintains productivity while preventing safety hazards.
Solution Approach 2:
A rigid pipeline connection acts as an intermediary between the storage vessel and filling equipment, replacing the unsafe hose connection. This intermediate structure provides mechanical strength to prevent pull-off while controlling gas flow through regulated openings, eliminating the high-speed jet hazard.
3Reliability
If air displacement is performed before filling, then safety is improved, but the process time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air displacement function is merged with the main filling pipeline rather than being a separate process. The same pipeline that fills hydrogen is used to displace air beforehand by reversing flow direction, eliminating the need for separate displacement equipment and reducing overall process time while maintaining safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The filling process incorporates periodic reversal of gas flow direction: first nitrogen flows to displace air, then hydrogen flows to fill the vessel. This periodic action combines safety-dispersion and filling operations in a single integrated sequence, reducing total time compared to completely separate processes.
Data Source
AI summary
A high-pressure gas filling and unloading system has a high-pressure gas pipeline for connecting to a gas filling station, a displacement gas pipeline for gas displacement, a plurality of double-channel rotating joints provided in said high-pressure gas pipeline and configured to be rotatable under pressure, and a filling and unloading joint provided at a free end of said high-pressure gas pipeline and comprising a control mechanism. The filling and unloading joint is configured to form a displacement working channel or a filling and unloading working channel therein through the control mechanism. The control mechanism is configured to alternately open the displacement working channel and the filling and unloading working channel, so that the displacement working channel is in communication with the displacement gas pipeline for gas displacement, or the filling and unloading working channel is in communication with the high-pressure gas pipeline for filling and unloading of high-pressure gas.