RU2315903C1 - Device for storing and supplying hydrogen in power plant of vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: automotive industry.

SUBSTANCE: device comprises fuel compartment with containers and tank for hydrogen, collector, heater, and branch pipes for supplying and discharging hydrogen. The fuel compartment has a set of sockets that receives the hydrogen tanks with board storage of hydrogen. Each of the sockets is connected with the outlet branch pipe through the electrically controlled shut-off valve with the hydrogen collector. A pressure pickup is mounted at the outlet of each socket, and each socket receives the temperature gage. The heater of the device is made of a microwave emitters and infrared emitters. The sockets are made of a composite material and provided with hatch made of the same material. The outer side of the housing and hatch are protected with the metallic shield . The housing receives the adjusting perforated casing made of a radio-transparent material. The microwave emitter is interposed between the outer surface of the casing and inner surface of the housing. An infrared emitter connected with a power source is mounted at the face of each socket.

EFFECT: reduced explosion hazard.

1 cl, 2 dwg

Description

The invention relates to means for storing and supplying gases, mainly hydrogen and its isotopes, in particular to the field of hydrogen energy - accumulating and storing hydrogen, using hydrogen as fuel for cars with an internal combustion engine or electric vehicles with an electrochemical generator based on fuel cells.

A device for storing hydrogen in the form of a container consisting of a sealed enclosure, process pipes, an internal heat exchange surface and a hydrogen storage filler placed in the housing, the hydrogen storage filler is hollow microspheres of conductive high-strength material. The accumulation of hydrogen consists in saturating the microspheres with hydrogen by diffusion, while the microspheres, which are the cathode, are placed in a hydrogen-containing medium, the microspheres are saturated with hydrogen, in ionic form. The conversion of hydrogen into ionic form is carried out by electrolysis in aqueous solutions. The conversion of hydrogen into ionic form can be carried out by ionization, for example, in an electric discharge. Patent of the Russian Federation No. 2283453, IPC F17C 11/00, 2006

Known capacity for storing hydrogen, consisting of a sealed enclosure, a collector for supplying and discharging hydrogen, a heater and a hydrogen filler-accumulator made of a porous material. A layer of material with a high hydrogen permeability, or with a low melting point, or with a low temperature of destruction, is applied to a part of the outer surface of the hydrogen accumulator connected to the collector, and the heater is located at the level of the above layer. Patent of the Russian Federation No. 2283454, IPC F17C 11/00, 2006

Known capacity for storing hydrogen, consisting of a sealed enclosure, process pipes, a heater and a hydrogen filler-accumulator located in the housing. The hydrogen storage filler is hollow microspheres bonded together in a single rigid structure formed layer-by-layer from microspheres of different diameters. The diameter of the microspheres decreases from the central layer to the peripheral layer. On the outer surface of the rigid structure, a coating can be made of a metal that effectively absorbs hydrogen, for example palladium, or nickel, or an alloy of lanthanum with nickel. As the material of the microspheres, steel, or titanium, or lanthanum, or nickel, or zirconium, or alloys based on these metals or graphite, or graphite-based compositions are used. Microspheres made of metal can be fixed among themselves by diffusion welding. Patent of the Russian Federation No. 22676944, IPC F17C 11/00, 2006

Known capacity for storing and storing hydrogen, consisting of a sealed enclosure, process pipes, a heater and a hydrogen filler-accumulator. The hydrogen accumulator is placed in the housing, the capacitance is divided by a partition of proton-conducting material into an anode cavity filled with water, with a porous anode located in it, a cathode cavity with a continuous cathode and a heater located in it. In this case, the partition is made in the form of a proton conducting membrane. The microporous structure is made of hollow microspheres. In addition, the microporous structure is made of polymers of the aramid group. The microporous structure can be made of foam metal, for example foam nickel, foam titanium. In addition, the microporous structure is made of a material with proton-conducting properties. Patent of the Russian Federation No. 2285859, IPC F17C 11/00, 2006

A common disadvantage of the known systems is the increased energy consumption and the relatively high inertia of the hydrogen release process, which does not allow their efficient use in the fuel system of a hydrogen automobile.

Systems with liquid hydrogen or high-pressure cylinders have obvious shortcomings: the lack of configuration flexibility, the high weight and volume of high-pressure cylinders, which makes it very difficult and practically inappropriate to use them on modern cars with existing automotive technologies.

A known container with cartridges for gases, comprising a cylindrical body, a sealed chamber in which cartridges with a sorbent for gases are located, a heater located along the axis of the container body, gas supply and exhaust pipes. Patent of the Russian Federation No. 2221290, G21F 5/00, 2004. Prototype.

The disadvantage of the prototype is the use of expensive intermetallic compounds of zirconium, titanium, cobalt and nickel. This invention eliminates the disadvantages of analogues and prototype.

The objective of the invention is to provide the possibility of using replaceable cartridges with a high specific hydrogen content in the vehicle’s fuel compartment in the vehicle’s on-board system, developing an integrated automated system for supplying hydrogen to a power plant, as well as providing control over the parameters of hydrogen supply and consumption.

The technical result of the invention is to reduce the explosiveness, increase the specific mass and volumetric content of hydrogen, automate the release of hydrogen from the battery cartridges and supply it to the power plant of the car at a set operating pressure at any operating conditions of the power plant, including quick start.

The technical result is achieved by the fact that in the system for storing and supplying hydrogen to the vehicle’s power plant, which contains a fuel compartment with containers and cartridges for hydrogen, a collector, a heater, hydrogen supply and discharge pipes, the fuel compartment contains groups of sockets that contain hydrogen cartridges with an onboard a supply of hydrogen, each socket is connected by an exhaust pipe through an electrically operated shut-off valve with a hydrogen collector, a pressure sensor is installed at the outlet of each socket, and inside each socket a temperature sensor is installed, the system heater is made in the form of a microwave heating unit and / or infra-activation unit, the sockets are made of composite material and equipped with hatches of the same material, the housing and the hatch are protected by a metal screen on the outer surface, an installation perforated casing is placed inside the housing made of radio-transparent material, in the gap between the outer surface of the casing and the inner surface of the casing, a microwave emitter with a pressure seal is installed for connection with a microwave generator, and in the end part of each socket an infrared emitter with cable glands for connection to the power supply. A buffer cylinder is connected to the hydrogen collector through an additional shut-off valve.

As hydrogen batteries, replaceable cartridges based on a structured matrix of glass sealed capillary microcontainers were used.

The invention is illustrated in figures 1 and 2.

Figure 1 schematically shows an onboard automated system for storing and supplying hydrogen to a vehicle power plant.

1 ⁱ is the socket of the fuel compartment in which a hydrogen cartridge is installed containing a supply of hydrogen, where i is 1, 2 ... an integer;

2 ⁱ - exhaust pipe, where i - 1, 2 ... integer;

3 ⁱ - electrically operated shut-off valve, where i - 1, 2 ... integer;

4 - common hydrogen collector; 5 - additional shut-off valve; 6 - buffer tank; 7 ⁱ - pressure sensor, where i - 1, 2 ... integer;

8 ⁱ - temperature sensor, where i - 1, 2 ... integer. In a specific embodiment, the number of nests was used, where the number i = 8. 9 - controlled gear;

10 - input electrically operated shut-off valve;

11 - output controlled valve; 12 ¹ - input hydrogen pressure sensor; 12 - output hydrogen pressure sensor; 13 - flow meter; 14 - output temperature sensor;

15 - control box; 16 - microwave radiation generator; 17 - power source infrared emitters. The microwave radiation generator 16 provides the formation of the microwave field GTZ-th frequency range, uniform within the volume occupied by the cartridge.

Figure 2 schematically shows the socket of the fuel compartment, where: 18 - cartridge; 19 - socket housing 1; 20 - sealing cap; 21 - metal cladding; 22 - installation casing; 23 - perforation; 24 - microwave emitter; 25 - infrared emitter; 26 — cartridge temperature sensor; 27 — cartridge pressure sensor; 28 - shut-off valve cartridge 18.

The fuel compartment is a collection of sockets 1 ⁱ in which hydrogen cartridges 18 are located, containing an on-board supply of hydrogen. Each socket 1 ^{i of the} fuel compartment, in operating condition, is a sealed casing 19 of socket 1 ⁱ with a cartridge 18 located in it. Each socket 1 ^{i of the} fuel compartment is connected via an outlet pipe 2 ⁱ and an electrically operated shut-off valve 3 ⁱ with a common manifold 4 for supplying hydrogen in the power plant. (The power plant is not shown in the figures). A buffer cylinder 6 is connected to the common hydrogen collector 4 through an additional shut-off valve 5. The buffer cylinder 6 is designed to supply hydrogen to the power plant in transient conditions. At the outlet of each slot 1 ⁱ hydrogen pressure within the control pressure sensor 7 ^i, and within each slot 1 ⁱ 8 temperature sensors are mounted ^i.

The buffer cylinder 6 has a working volume of 2 to 4 liters and is designed for a hydrogen pressure of 30 to 50 bar. Such a volume and pressure range is sufficient to start and operate the power plant for the time necessary to initiate the process of hydrogen release from the 1 ⁱ sockets (accumulators) and enter the operating mode.

The unit (conditional) for conditioning the hydrogen flow contains a controllable reducer 9, which reduces the hydrogen supplied to its input to the working pressure necessary to ensure the normal operation of the power plant.

Hydrogen enters the controlled gearbox 9 through the manifold 4 through the input electrically operated shut-off valve 10, and the pressure of hydrogen suitable for the controlled gearbox 9 is controlled by the output pressure gauge of hydrogen 12. The flow of hydrogen supplied to the power plant is controlled by the flowmeter 13 in conjunction with the output sensor hydrogen pressure 12 and the output temperature sensor 14 and is controlled by a controlled valve 11.

The automated fuel system control unit (not independently designated) contains a control box 15, a microwave radiation generator 16, and a power supply 17 for infrared emitters activating the release of hydrogen from the cartridges 18 in the sockets 1 ^{i of the} fuel compartment.

The control box 15 based on processors and controllers provides the processing of all signals from all types of sensors and the generation of commands for controllers that control the operation of electrically controlled devices and elements of the fuel system, as well as the microwave generator 16 and the power source of infrared emitters 17.

The structure of a single socket 1 ^{i of the} fuel compartment with the cartridge 18 installed in it is shown in FIG.

The socket comprises a housing 19, preferably made of lightweight strong (preferably composite) material, designed for a hydrogen pressure of several tens of atmospheres, corresponding to the maximum pressure in the buffer tank 6 or the working pressure of hydrogen supplied to the power plant.

The fuel system operation control algorithm provides for the replenishment of the buffer cylinder 6 with hydrogen due to the hydrogen contained in the cartridge of the first slot 1 ⁱ .

The housing 19 is equipped with a sealing cover 20 that covers the hole through which the charged cartridge 18 is inserted into the slot 1 ⁱ and the spent cartridge 18 is removed from it for charging.

The housing 19 and the sealing cover 20 are covered with a thin metal lining 21, designed to provide shielding from microwave radiation.

The cartridge 18 is fixed inside the slot 1 ⁱ by means of an installation casing 22 made of a radio-transparent material (plastic, which is resistant to temperatures up to 350-400 ° C).

In the installation casing 22, a series of holes (perforation) 23 are made for the free flow of hydrogen. In the gap between the mounting casing 22 and the inner wall of the housing 19 of the socket 1 ⁱ installed microwave emitter 24, which ensures the formation of a uniform field of microwave radiation within the volume occupied by the cartridge 18. In the end part of the socket 1 ⁱ installed infrared emitter 25, designed for uniform irradiation the end face of the cartridge 18 with infrared radiation in the frequency range from 200 to 3200 nm, preferably with a maximum spectral density of radiation in the region of 2785 nm. The infrared emitter 25 and the microwave emitter 24 have respective pressure glands for connecting to a power source of the infrared emitter 17 and the microwave generator 16. The pressure gland is also made for transmitting a signal from the temperature sensor of the cartridge 26.

The storage system and supply of hydrogen to the power plant of the car operates as follows. At the time of shutdown (for example, to replace the used cartridges 18), the buffer cylinder 6 is completely filled with hydrogen under the set pressure, and all valves 3, 10, 11, 28 are put into the closed position. After installing the charged cartridges 18 in the released slots 1 ^{i of the} fuel compartment, the system is ready for operation. When the on-board power supply is turned on, the control box 15, the microwave generator 16 and the infrared power supply 17 are connected to the power sources (electric battery and the vehicle's on-board generator). When starting the power plant by the signals from the control box 15, the input electrically operated shut-off valve 10 and the output controlled valve 11 open. Hydrogen from the buffer tank 6 through the gearbox 9 begins to flow into the power plant, ensuring its operation. At the same time, according to the signal of the control box 15, the microwave radiation generator 16 turns on the microwave emitter 24 of the first socket 1 ⁱ , thus ensuring the start of the hydrogen release process, and the power source 17 supplies voltage to the infrared emitter 25 of the first socket, thus opening , a quick exit of hydrogen from the cartridge of the first slot 1 ⁱ . Upon reaching a predetermined level of hydrogen pressure in the first socket 1 ⁱ (corresponding to the pressure in the buffer tank 6), it is supplied to the power plant in parallel with the hydrogen flow rate and from the buffer cylinder 6. After starting the power plant, the microwave circuit is switched on by command from the control box 15 the emitter 24 of the next (second) socket 1 ⁱ , initiating the process of hydrogen release from the cartridge 18 of the (second) socket 1 ⁱ . When the buffer pressure 6 reaches the initial pressure (by replenishing the hydrogen flow from the first socket), the buffer cylinder 6 is closed by a shut-off valve 5. The first socket 1 ^{i is} disconnected from the microwave generator 16 and the infrared power source 17 after the pressure in it is equal to the pressure in general collector 4 (which is detected by the pressure sensor of the cartridge 27). The first socket is closed by shut-off valve 28. The supply of hydrogen to the power plant continues from the next (second) socket 1 ⁱ , while turning on and off the microwave emitter in this socket 1 is provided by commands from its pressure sensor 7 ⁱ . If the temperature in this socket exceeds the set limit (300-350 ° C), and the pressure recorded by its pressure sensor 7 ⁱ turns out to be lower than the level required for supply to the power unit, then, on command from the control box 15, it can turn on work infrared emitter of the second slot, thereby increasing the rate of hydrogen release from the cartridge 18. The inability to maintain the pressure at the outlet of the slot ⁱ 1 at the desired flow level means contained in the cartridge 18, the hydrogen, after which it switches to follows uyuschee slot 1 ^i. The pressure of hydrogen entering the power plant is controlled by a pressure sensor 27, in accordance with the readings of which the pressure reducer 9 is controlled, which ensures that the pressure supplied to the power plant of hydrogen is maintained at the required level. In all cases, when there is a drop in hydrogen pressure at the outlet of the reducer 9, a signal from the control box 15 is used to briefly connect the buffer cylinder 6. If the pressure in the activated socket 1 ^{i is} restored or switching to the next socket 1 ^{i + 1} and its output to normal operation, control box 15 turns off the buffer tank 6 and the flow of hydrogen continues from the involved slot 1 ^{i + 1} . When you turn off the power plant, all elements of the system are de-energized with the simultaneous translation of all valves in the closed position. Based on the readings of the flow meter 13, as well as the pressure sensors 7 ⁱ and temperature sensors 8 ⁱ , the total hydrogen flow from the fuel system is determined. A variant of the fuel system device without the inclusion of a buffer cylinder 6. In this case, a quick start to the supply of hydrogen to the power plant at the time of its start-up can be achieved by simultaneously switching all sockets 1 ^{i of the} fuel compartment into operation with infrared emitters.

Claims (2)

1. A system for storing and supplying hydrogen to a power plant of a vehicle, comprising a fuel compartment with containers and cartridges for hydrogen, a collector, a heater, nozzles for supplying and discharging hydrogen, characterized in that the fuel compartment contains groups of nests that contain hydrogen cartridges with an on-board supply hydrogen, each socket is connected by an exhaust pipe through an electrically operated shut-off valve with a hydrogen collector, a pressure sensor is installed at the outlet of each socket, and a tempera sensor is installed inside each socket radiators, the system heater is made in the form of microwave emitters and infrared emitters, the nests are made of composite material and equipped with hatches of the same material, on the outer surface the casing and hatch are protected by a metal screen, inside the casing there is an installation perforated casing of radiolucent material, between a microwave emitter with a pressure gland for connection with a microwave generator is installed on the outer surface of the casing and the inner surface of the housing, and an infra-screen is installed at the end of each socket a clear radiator with hermetic inputs for connection to a power source. 2. The hydrogen storage and supply system for a vehicle’s power plant according to claim 1, characterized in that a buffer cylinder is connected to the hydrogen collector through an additional shut-off valve.

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