Hydrogen Tank Diffuser Layout for Faster Sweeping Flush
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas tank flushing methods require numerous dilution cycles, leading to excessively long rinsing times.
Innovation Solution
A sweeping flushing method using a diffuser with angled and swirling cannulas to inject pressurized gas, combined with a specific fluidic system, to efficiently flush gas tanks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a dilution process is used to flush the tank, then the flushing can be carried out using a single pre-existing fluidic device, but the rinsing time becomes prohibitively long
Solution Approach 1:
The single fluidic device is segmented into two separate devices: a first fluidic device for drawing gas from the tank and a second fluidic device for injecting gas into the tank. This segmentation enables simultaneous filling and drawing operations, transforming the sequential dilution process into a parallel sweeping process that dramatically reduces rinsing time while maintaining operational simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The diffuser incorporates cannulas arranged at angles less than 90 degrees relative to the tank axis, creating a three-dimensional sweeping pattern. This angular arrangement causes the injected gas to move diagonally across the tank cross-section, engaging more volume per unit time and enabling faster flushing compared to axial injection
2Productivity
If cannulas are arranged at angles less than 90° and made non-coplanar, then the injected gas swirls and flushing efficiency improves, but the diffuser structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The cannulas are deliberately arranged asymmetrically at angles less than 90 degrees relative to the tank axis, with at least two cannulas positioned in different planes (non-coplanar). This asymmetric angular arrangement creates a swirling flow pattern that enhances mixing and flushing efficiency, while the systematic geometric configuration keeps the structural complexity manageable
Solution Approach 2:
The non-coplanar angular arrangement of multiple cannulas creates a three-dimensional swirling flow pattern that effectively sweeps through the entire tank volume. This curved, multi-planar configuration distributes the gas injection in a spherical-like pattern, improving flushing coverage and efficiency without requiring overly complex diffuser geometry
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
Reduces rinsing time significantly, achieving desired gas concentration levels in a fraction of the time required by traditional methods.
Implementation Method 1
the diffuser is internal to the reservoir and shaped to inject a pressurized gas
Implementation Method 2
A sweeping flushing method involves injecting fresh gas through a fluidic device and simultaneously recovering the gas mixture through another fluidic device
Implementation Method 3
said at least two cannulas are not coplanar with the diffuser so as to cause the injected gas to swirl
Implementation Method 4
a dilution process can be used to flush a tank initially containing an old gas. In such a process, the tank is first filled with new gas under pressure. The tank then contains a mixture of the new and old gases
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a diffuser (10) for a pressurized gas reservoir (1), such as hydrogen, wherein the diffuser (10) is internal to the reservoir (1) and shaped to inject a pressurized gas. The invention further relates to a reservoir (1) comprising such a diffuser (10). The invention also relates to a method for flushing such a reservoir (1) by sweeping.