Supercritical Hydrogen Distribution for Aircraft Tank Pressure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydrogen storage and distribution systems for aircraft face challenges such as high weight and volume inefficiencies in high-pressure gaseous tanks, complexity and safety risks in liquid storage, and the need for pumps that complicate the fuel system architecture and introduce potential hydrogen losses.
Innovation Solution
A hydrogen distribution system utilizing a tank storing hydrogen at supercritical pressure, combined with a supply pipe heat exchanger and tank heater to manage pressure and temperature, potentially with a pump to meet consumer requirements, and controlled by sensors and a control unit to regulate flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If high-pressure gaseous tanks are used to store hydrogen, then hydrogen can be stored at high pressure, but the tanks become heavy and have low volume efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of hydrogen from gaseous to supercritical fluid by increasing pressure above the critical pressure (13.6 bar) and controlling temperature. This allows high-density storage without requiring heavy high-pressure gaseous tanks, as supercritical hydrogen achieves liquid-like density while maintaining the flexibility of a fluid system.
2Quantity of substance
If liquid hydrogen storage is used, then high density storage is achieved, but pumps and compressors are required to match high pressure interface requirements, increasing system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses supercritical hydrogen instead of liquid hydrogen, changing the phase from liquid to supercritical fluid. This eliminates the need for complex pumps and compressors to maintain liquid state, as supercritical hydrogen can be stored and transported as a stable fluid phase without phase change management equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a heat exchanger as an intermediary component to manage the thermal aspects of supercritical hydrogen storage and transfer. The heat exchanger allows for controlled heating and temperature management without requiring mechanical pumps or compressors, simplifying the overall system architecture.
3Stress or pressure
If pumps are used in the hydrogen distribution system, then high pressure can be maintained, but system complexity and potential hydrogen losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a heat exchanger as an intermediary to manage thermal effects in the hydrogen distribution system. This allows for pressure and temperature control without using pumps, thereby eliminating pump-related hydrogen losses while maintaining supercritical state stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the inherent properties of supercritical hydrogen and thermal energy from the heat exchanger to maintain pressure and temperature without requiring external pumping mechanisms. The supercritical fluid naturally maintains its state and flow characteristics without mechanical assistance, reducing system complexity and loss.
4Quantity of substance
If liquid hydrogen is distributed, then high density storage is achieved, but overpressure risks occur when temperature increases, especially during idle phases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes hydrogen from liquid to supercritical fluid state, which has different thermal and pressure characteristics. Supercritical hydrogen can accommodate temperature increases without the same overpressure risks associated with liquid hydrogen, as the supercritical state provides a buffer against phase change and pressure spikes during idle phases.
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 maintains high-pressure hydrogen distribution efficiently without the need for complex pumps, reducing system weight and complexity while ensuring safe and reliable hydrogen supply to consumers.
Implementation Method 1
a tank storing hydrogen at a supercritical pressure
Implementation Method 2
a primary heat exchanger arranged on the supply pipe and configured to heat the hydrogen flowing in said supply pipe from the tank to the hydrogen consumer
Implementation Method 3
a tank heater arranged in the tank and configured to heat the hydrogen in the tank
Data Source
AI summary
A system for supplying hydrogen to hydrogen consumer on an aircraft with a tank storing supercritical hydrogen. Energy is added to the tank to ensure tank pressure maintains supercritical. The system includes a supply pipe fluidly connected between the tank and the hydrogen consumer; a primary heat exchanger arranged on the supply pipe and configured to heat the hydrogen flowing in the supply pipe from the tank to the hydrogen consumer; and a tank heater arranged in the tank and configured to heat the hydrogen in the tank.