Throttle Valve Adiabatic Cooling in Sorption Fuel Tank
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gaseous fuel reservoirs for vehicles operate at high pressures, leading to inefficient cooling energy during filling, which results in temperature increases in the tank, reducing the storage capacity and safety due to compressor complexity and high pressure management.
Innovation Solution
A tank design incorporating a throttle valve on the filling side, utilizing metal organic frameworks (MOFs) for physical adsorption, which compensates for the heat of adsorption by controlling pressure levels below 100 bar, preferably <80 bar, and using a check valve with a large opening cross section for effective throttling and cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If gaseous fuel is stored in pressure reservoirs at high pressure (200 bar), then energy density is improved, but temperature control deteriorates due to heat of adsorption during filling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful heat of adsorption into a beneficial cooling effect by introducing a throttle valve that creates adiabatic expansion. The gas cools itself during throttling, and this cooling effect is used to counteract the heat generated during adsorption, transforming a harmful thermal effect into a useful cooling mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the pressure parameter during the filling process by using a throttle valve to create a pressure drop. This parameter change (from high pressure to lower pressure) triggers adiabatic expansion and cooling, allowing temperature control while maintaining high energy density storage.
2Quantity of substance
If compressor pressure is increased to maintain high pressure levels, then energy density is improved, but device complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the gas itself to cool the tank during filling through adiabatic expansion in the throttle valve. The gas undergoes self-cooling during the pressure drop, eliminating or reducing the need for external cooling systems and complex pressure management equipment.
3Device complexity
If filling pressure is reduced to simplify pressure management, then device complexity is improved, but cooling energy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The throttle valve acts as an intermediary device that creates a controlled pressure drop and adiabatic expansion. This intermediary mechanism enables cooling during filling without requiring complex high-pressure management systems, as the cooling is generated locally at the throttle valve during the pressure transition.
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 solution maintains a stable tank temperature by partially compensating for the heat of adsorption through adiabatic expansion cooling, enhancing the storage capacity and safety by reducing pressure levels and simplifying pressure management.
Implementation Method 1
the physical effect of cooling from adiabatic expansion with the physical effect of heating of the tank from sorption, such as physical adsorption in the case of metal organic framework, MOF, is compensated for by the installed position of a throttle valve
Implementation Method 2
sorption reservoirs based on metal hydrides (chemical adsorption), activated charcoal, zeolites or metal organic frameworks (MOFs) in the context of physical adsorption
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a fuel reservoir for gaseous fuel in a vehicle, in particular a sorption reservoir. The fuel reservoir is delimited by at least one wall and includes a sorption material that is contained in its interior. The fuel reservoir has a tank inlet valve containing a shut-off valve and a throttle restriction valve. The restriction of the gaseous fuel takes place inside the fuel reservoir.