Pressurized-Gas Tank Filling with Initial Temperature Estimation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current filling protocols for pressurized-gas tanks, particularly hydrogen tanks, inaccurately estimate the initial temperature of the gas, leading to a risk of overheating or overfilling, especially during successive fillings, as they rely on predefined SAE curves that do not account for actual tank conditions.
Innovation Solution
A device and method that estimate the initial gas temperature in the tank as a function of ambient temperature and pressure, using sensors and an electronic control component to stop filling when a temperature or density limit is reached, employing predictive curves and physical models to simulate thermal dynamics and adjust filling parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If predefined SAE curves are used to estimate initial gas temperature, then the filling protocol is simple to implement, but the temperature estimation accuracy deteriorates leading to overheating or overfilling risks
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors actual tank temperature and pressure during filling, then feeds this information back to adjust the initial temperature estimation for subsequent fillings. This feedback loop allows the system to learn from actual conditions and improve estimation accuracy while maintaining protocol simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary measurements of ambient temperature and tank pressure before filling begins, then uses these preliminary data points to calculate an initial temperature estimation. This preliminary action enables more accurate temperature prediction without complicating the overall filling protocol.
2Stability of the object's composition
If SAE predefined curves are used for successive fillings, then the filling process is consistent and repeatable, but the risk of overheating increases due to under-estimated initial temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
After each filling operation, the system records the actual temperature and pressure data, then uses this feedback to adjust the initial temperature estimation for the next filling. This maintains process consistency while improving reliability by preventing overheating through accurate temperature prediction.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the initial temperature estimation based on actual conditions from previous fillings, rather than using static predefined curves. This dynamic adaptation maintains filling consistency while ensuring temperature limit compliance through real-time condition-based adjustments.
3Device complexity
If the initial temperature is estimated without considering actual tank conditions, then the filling protocol is easy to implement, but the accuracy of temperature prediction deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the tank's own measured conditions (pressure and ambient temperature) to self-determine its initial gas temperature estimation. This self-service approach improves temperature prediction accuracy without increasing device complexity, as the tank provides its own diagnostic data.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces complex mechanical temperature measurement systems with a computational estimation approach that uses readily available pressure and ambient temperature data. This substitution maintains low device complexity while improving temperature prediction accuracy through calculation rather than direct measurement.
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
Accurately estimates the initial gas temperature, reducing the risk of overheating and overfilling by dynamically controlling the filling process based on real-time tank conditions, ensuring safer and more efficient hydrogen tank filling.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor configured to measure the pressure in the tank and/or the ambient temperature on the filling device
Implementation Method 2
estimate, before filling the tank, an initial temperature of the gas present in the tank... the initial temperature is a value that is estimated as a function of the ambient temperature and as a function of the pressure of the gas present in the tank before filling
Implementation Method 3
a flow rate and/or pressure control valve in the filling pipe... an electronic control component configured to: stop filling when an estimated temperature (respectively, a density) of the gas present in the tank reaches a temperature limit value (respectively, a density limit value)
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for filling a pressurized-gas tank by means of a filling device comprising a gas source, a filling pipe connecting the source to the tank, a flow-rate and/or pressure control valve, an electronic control member configured to bring filling to a stop when an estimated temperature of the gas present in the tank reaches a temperature limit value, the method comprising, prior to the tank being filled, a step of determining the ambient temperature at the filling device, a step of determining the pressure of the gas present in the tank and a preliminary step of estimating the initial temperature of the gas present in the tank, the initial temperature of the gas present in the tank being a value estimated on the basis of the ambient temperature and on the basis of the pressure of the gas present in the tank prior to the tank being filled, the initial temperature of the gas present in the tank being higher than or equal to or lower than or equal to the ambient temperature.