Segmented Hydrogen Tank Control for Embrittlement-Safe Fuel Use
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Hydrogen tanks used in fuel cell vehicles face safety issues due to hydrogen embrittlement, where hydrogen penetrates metal and causes cracking, and existing systems rely on single-point pressure and temperature sensing, leading to reliability concerns.
Innovation Solution
A fuel tank apparatus with multiple volumes and a controller that adjusts valve openings to equalize pressures and selectively use fuel based on usage and temperature conditions, ensuring safe operation and increased reliability through distributed sensing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single-point pressure and temperature sensing system is used in the hydrogen tank, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of safety monitoring deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The hydrogen tank is divided into multiple volumes (first volume and second volume) with separate pressure sensors and temperature sensors for each volume. This segmentation allows independent monitoring of each compartment, improving safety monitoring reliability without requiring a single complex centralized system.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller performs multiple functions including monitoring pressure and temperature in both volumes, comparing temperatures to determine fail safety status, controlling valve operations, and managing hydrogen distribution. This multi-functionality improves reliability without proportionally increasing device complexity.
2Quantity of substance
If hydrogen is stored in a metal hydrogen tank, then the storage capacity and pressure resistance are improved, but hydrogen embrittlement causes cracks and reduces structural integrity
Solution Approach 1:
The metal hydrogen tank is divided into multiple separate volumes by a partition wall. This segmentation limits the propagation of cracks caused by hydrogen embrittlement to individual volumes, preventing catastrophic failure of the entire tank while maintaining high storage capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The partition wall structure is designed in advance to prevent crack propagation. By creating physical barriers between volumes, the system cushions against the harmful effects of hydrogen embrittlement before they can compromise the entire tank structure.
3Productivity
If the third valve is opened to allow communication between volumes during charging, then the charging efficiency is improved, but the pressure equalization control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller continuously monitors pressure in both volumes and uses this feedback to control the third valve. When the pressure difference exceeds a predetermined threshold, the controller opens or closes the third valve to equalize pressures, optimizing charging efficiency while maintaining simple control logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own pressure sensors and controller to automatically manage pressure equalization between volumes during charging. This self-service capability improves charging efficiency without requiring external intervention or complex external control systems.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the first valve and second valve are controlled to selectively charge volumes, then the fuel management flexibility is improved, but the valve control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The first valve and second valve are dynamically controlled based on real-time conditions such as temperature readings and pressure levels. The controller adjusts valve states (open/closed) to selectively charge volumes, providing flexible fuel management while using simple binary valve control rather than complex continuous adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (valve states, charging rates) based on measured conditions like temperature and pressure. By monitoring parameters such as temperature difference between volumes, the controller adapts valve control to achieve flexible fuel management without requiring complex control algorithms.
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
Enhances safety by protecting residual hydrogen and improving reliability by equalizing pressures and selectively using fuel across volumes, addressing the embrittlement and single-point sensing limitations.
Implementation Method 1
when a difference between pressures of the first volume and the second volume is within a predetermined allowable range, the controller may control the opening or closing of the third valve to perform adjustment so that the pressures of the first volume and the second volume become equal to each other
Implementation Method 2
Charging of the hydrogen tank uses an adiabatic compression method, and when the temperature increases while the hydrogen is compressed and then exceeds 80 degrees Celsius
Implementation Method 3
the hydrogen tank made of a metal has hydrogen embrittlement, and thus the hydrogen penetrates into the metal, moves to tips of cracks, and propagates the cracks
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An apparatus for controlling a fuel tank according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a fuel tank forming a plurality of volumes, and a controller that controls a charging state of a fuel charged in the fuel tank and selectively controls use of the fuel charged in the plurality of volumes based on an amount of the fuel used and a state of the fuel tank.