DE102014016962A1 - Device for storing gases - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (11) for storing gases with a plurality of compressed gas containers (13) each having at least one own valve device (14) and a common filler neck (17) which is connected via a filling line (16) with the compressed gas containers (13) , wherein the filling line (16) divides into a plurality of branch lines (15) to the respective compressed gas containers (13). The device according to the invention is characterized in that in the region of the branch lines (15) or in the region of the valve devices (14) a compensation element is arranged, which has a flow cross-section (19, 23) which depends on the volume of the respective compressed gas container (13), the volume of the respective supply line (15) and / or the installation situation of the respective compressed gas container is predetermined.

Description

The invention relates to a device for storing gases according to the closer defined in the preamble of claim 1. Art Furthermore, the invention relates to the use of such a device according to claim 8.

Devices for storing gases are known from the general state of the art. Such devices may be, for example, devices for storing compressed natural gas or hydrogen for gas powered vehicles. In particular, in the storage of hydrogen, which is typically stored at nominal pressures of about 700 bar, for maximum utilization of the available volume of construction in the vehicle several individual gas cylinders within the device for storing hydrogen are common. In the normal case, each of these compressed gas containers has its own valve device and, starting from a common filling line with a filler neck, the individual compressed gas containers are filled up via branch lines which branch off from this common filling line. From the general state of the art, this is exemplified in the DE 11 2011 110 541 T5 to get expelled. In this document, such a structure is described, wherein herein are the underlying problems in that the individual compressed gas containers have different heat dissipation. In order to counteract this, the different compressed gas tanks are taken into account differently via controllable valves of different refueling, so as to ensure the most homogeneous possible thermal equilibrium of the system.

In addition to this task, which is generally regarded as rather "exotic" is a well-known problem in devices for storing gas with multiple gas cylinders, the different refueling of compressed gas tank, depending on the different sizes of the individual compressed gas tank and the volumes of the branch lines or the Cable length between the filler neck and the respective compressed gas tank. The resulting disadvantages are an unnecessarily long refueling, and a sometimes very different refueling of the individual compressed gas tank, which ultimately results in insufficient utilization of the total available tank volume. In particular, in the storage of hydrogen, which should be stored due to its relatively low energy density in the highest possible amount during refueling, this represents a significant disadvantage.

The object of the present invention is now to provide a device for storing gases in the manner described according to the preamble of claim 1, which avoids these disadvantages.

According to the invention this object is achieved by a device having the features in claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and further developments emerge from the subclaims dependent thereon. In claim 8, a particularly preferred use of the device is also indicated. Again, there are preferred developments of this use of the dependent claims.

In the device according to the invention, it is provided that in the region of the branch lines or in the region of the valve devices associated with the respective compressed gas tank, which are designed in particular as so-called on-tank valves (OTV), a compensating element is provided which has a flow cross section which in Dependence of the volume of the compressed gas container, the volume of the supply line and / or the installation situation of the compressed gas container is predetermined. By very simple compensation elements, the flow cross-sections can be formed according to a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention as holes or fixed aperture, a very uniform fueling of the individual compressed gas tank of the storage device can be achieved. The flow cross section of the respective compensation elements can be determined via a simulation and / or through experiments. In a first approximation, it will in particular be approximately proportional to the volume of the respective compressed gas container. The gas volume flowing in via the filler neck and a common filling line then divides uniformly among the individual compressed gas containers in accordance with the pressure losses through these compensating elements or the flow cross-sections adapted in the respective compressed gas container. As a result, ideally, the entire available storage volume is optimally utilized, so that a fast, efficient and uniform refueling of the device is possible.

In order to achieve the best possible ideal filling of the individual compressed gas containers of the storage volume, it is provided according to an advantageous development of the device that the sum of the flow cross sections of the compensating elements are smaller than or equal to, in particular smaller, than the minimum flow-through cross section of the filling line and the filler neck. By this particular configuration is thus always sufficient or more gas in particular available than in the individual compressed gas tank through the Flow cross sections of the compensation elements can flow, so that a fast and uniform refueling is guaranteed.

As already mentioned, the different flow cross sections can be realized in particular by diaphragms or bores. According to an advantageous development of the device according to the invention, the valve device is realized as an on-tank valve in the respective compressed gas container. The compensation elements are then realized as an insert or panel, which can be integrated into the on-tank valve or inserted interchangeably. In particular, a suitable compensating element can thus be selected and easily inserted with the mounting of the on-tank valve, depending on the storage volume of the respective compressed gas container and depending on the nominal pressure and the gas to be stored later, very much in the completion of the device for storing gases easy and efficient to get a structure, which ensures the uniform filling of the individual compressed gas storage.

An alternative embodiment provides that the filling line is designed in particular as a common gas line, in the manner of a common rail. Starting from this filling line then different supply lines branch off, for example by different holes are mounted in the rail, which open into standardized connection areas for the respective supply line. By introducing different holes in the rail, the different flow cross sections of the compensating elements are then implemented very simply and efficiently, since, according to the storage volumes used, only the rail must be provided with the corresponding bores during manufacture or assembly of the device.

As a particularly preferred use for the device according to the invention, the storage of hydrogen or natural gas can be specified as fuel in a vehicle. Especially in vehicles, the entire available space for storage is often exploited, especially in the storage of hydrogen. In this case, a plurality of compressed gas reservoirs of different sizes and, if appropriate, molds are typically used, so as to ensure that a corresponding compressed gas reservoir can be fitted and arranged in all dead volumes in the vehicle. These compressed gas reservoirs are then connected to branch lines of very different lengths and in turn have very different volumes. Nevertheless, in order to make optimum use of these compressed gas reservoirs and to be able to refuel evenly, the device according to the invention is particularly well suited.

According to an advantageous development of this preferred use, hydrogen is stored in the device at a nominal pressure of more than 600 bar. The hydrogen can serve in particular according to an advantageous development as a fuel for a fuel cell system, which supplies the electrical drive power for the vehicle.

Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the device according to the invention will become apparent from the remaining dependent subclaims and, as well as the particularly preferred use, clear on the basis of the embodiments, which are described in more detail below with reference to the figures.

Showing:

1 a principle indicated vehicle with a fuel cell system and a device for storing hydrogen;

2 a detail of a valve device in the device for storing hydrogen; and

3 an alternative embodiment of the device for storing hydrogen.

The device according to the invention for storing gases will be described below by way of example by means of a device for storing hydrogen. It can equally well be used for other gases, such as compressed natural gas in a vehicle or otherwise used outside of vehicle applications.

In the presentation of the 1 is very heavily schematized a vehicle 1 indicated. The vehicle 1 should have a fuel cell system 2 be supplied with electrical drive power. The core of this fuel cell system 2 forms a fuel cell 3 , which provides electrical power and indicated electrical lines 4 as well as power electronics 5 an electric traction motor 6 provides. The electric traction motor 6 drives over a common axis 7 , very heavily simplified, driven wheels 8th of the vehicle 1 at. With the power electronics 5 is also a so-called traction or hybrid battery 9 coupled, which in fuel cell systems 2 to drive a vehicle 1 as well-known and customary.

The fuel cell system 2 is shown very simplified. On the cathode side, it is via an air conveyor 10 supplied with air. The exhaust air comes out of the vehicle 1 , Here are other components such as catalytic Burners, turbines or the like possible. This is generally known to the person skilled in the art, so that it need not be discussed further here. To simplify the 1 has been dispensed with a presentation of such options. The same applies on the supply side for intercooler, humidifier or similar.

On the anode side, the fuel cell 3 with hydrogen from a device 11 supplied to the storage of hydrogen. The hydrogen passes through a pressure regulating and dosing unit 12 in the anode region of the fuel cell 3 , Unconsumed hydrogen leaves the fuel cell as exhaust gas 3 and gets diluted in the environment shown here in the very simplified embodiment shown here together with the exhaust air. Alternatively, a circulation of hydrogen in a so-called Anodenloop would be conceivable. Also this is waived in favor of the simplest possible representation.

The device 11 for storing the hydrogen comprises a plurality of pressurized gas containers 13 , In the case of the presentation of 1 These are four individual compressed gas containers, which by the reference numerals 13.1 to 13.4 Marked are. Each of the compressed gas tank has its own valve device 14 in the form of a so-called on-tank valve (OTV). These valve devices 14 are also denoted by the reference numerals 14.1 to 14.4 for the respective compressed gas storage 13 Mistake. Their structure is generally known and familiar to the person skilled in the art, so that it need not be discussed in more detail here. The individual compressed gas tanks 13 or their valve devices 14 are over with 15.1 to 15.4 designated branch lines 15 with the pressure regulating and metering device 12 on the one hand and a filling line 16 on the other hand. The filling line 16 opens in the outer area of the vehicle in a filler neck 17 via which a valve device for filling the storage device 11 to the vehicle 1 can be connected. Now it is the case that typically the same flow paths are provided for the filling and the removal. The flow-through cross section for the filling is typically greater than for the removal, wherein the removal cross section within the respective valve device 14 is realized, as well as parallel to the filling cross section.

To ensure uniform fueling of the individual compressed gas tanks 13 to achieve, even if this as in the presentation of 1 have different volumes and over different lengths branch lines 15 with the filling line 16 are connected, it is now provided that in the filling cross section within the valve devices 14 Compensating elements are arranged. In the presentation of the 2 is such a compensation element in an enlarged section of one of the valve devices 14 exemplified. It consists of one with the valve device 14 connected socket 18 , which serves as a compensation element, and which has a precise inside the example screwed, pressed, inserted and / or glued socket. The socket 18 , which as an insert exchangeable in the valve device 14 realized or during assembly of the valve device 14 can be introduced once in this, has a central flow-through cross-section 19 the possibility of different flow cross sections for refueling within the individual valve device 14 to realize.

The flow cross section 19 within the individual sockets 18 the respective valve devices 14 will now, in particular depending on the volume of the respective compressed gas tank 13 , which with the valve device 14 is connected, and depending on the volume of the respective branch line 15 specified accordingly. The diameters of the flow cross sections in the respective bush 18 can be determined, for example, via a simulation or tests in advance. They are designed so that in case of refueling the storage device 11 with gas to a uniform filling of the individual compressed gas tank 13 comes. On the one hand, this makes possible the ideal utilization of the entire available storage volume and, on the other hand, generally also permits faster filling than if the pressures in the individual compressed gas containers build up to different degrees and, accordingly, different degrees of counterpressure occur during the filling.

An alternative embodiment of the storage device 11 is in the representation of 3 to recognize. The filling line 16 is here at least in the area where the branch lines 15 branch, executed in the manner of a common gas line or common rail. In the presentation of the 3 it can be seen that there is a connection at the right end 20 for connection to the filler neck 17 is provided for example via another pipe, hose or the like. In addition, the filling line designed as a common rail has 16 standardized connections for connection of the respective branch lines 15 on. These connections 21 be with a central opening 22 about individual holes 23 connected. The holes 23 , which in the representation of the figure with 23.1 . 23.2 and 23.3 are characterized, have different durchströmbare cross-sections or bore diameter. The individual holes are comparable to the flow cross-section 19 in the socket 18 in the embodiment according to 1 designed so that a uniform filling of the case of the 3 three different compressed gas tanks 13 he follows. Analogous to the embodiment according to FIG 1 Thus, a fast and uniform refueling of the total available storage volume is achieved.

The pressures in the individual compressed gas tanks 13 are therefore the same at the end of the refueling process, since the mass flows behave proportionally to the container volumes, which in turn, to a first approximation proportional to the flow cross sections 19 . 23 and are regulated accordingly. During the entire filling process, therefore, there is already a pressure equalization between the individual compressed gas containers 13 instead, which ensures the ideal filling.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 112011110541 T5 [0002]

Claims (10)

Contraption ( 11 ) for storing gases with several compressed gas containers ( 13 ) each having at least one own valve device ( 14 ) and a common filler neck ( 17 ), which via a filling line ( 16 ) with the compressed gas containers ( 13 ), wherein the filling line ( 16 ) in several branches ( 15 ) to the respective compressed gas containers ( 13 ), characterized in that in the region of the branch lines ( 15 ) or in the area of the valve devices ( 14 ) a compensation element is arranged, which has a flow cross-section ( 19 . 23 ), which in dependence of the volume of the respective compressed gas container ( 13 ), the volume of the respective supply line ( 15 ) and / or the installation situation of the respective compressed gas container is predetermined. Contraption ( 11 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that the flow cross-section of the compensating element through a bore ( 23 ) or a fixed aperture ( 18 . 19 ) is trained. Contraption ( 11 ) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the sum of the flow cross sections ( 19 . 23 ) of the compensation elements is less than or equal to, in particular smaller, than the minimum flow-through cross section of the filling line ( 16 ) or the filler neck ( 17 ). Contraption ( 11 ) according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the flow cross sections ( 19 . 23 ) of the compensation elements in approximately proportional to the volume of the respective compressed gas container ( 13 ) are. Contraption ( 11 ) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that each of the pressurized gas containers ( 13 ) a separate valve device ( 14 ), which is designed as an on-tank valve. Contraption ( 11 ) according to claim 5, characterized in that the flow cross-section in the compensating element as an opening ( 19 ) in an insert or a removable cover ( 18 ) in the on-tank valve ( 14 ) is trained. Contraption ( 11 ) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the flow cross sections ( 19 . 23 ) of the compensating element as different holes ( 23 ) in the region of a branch of the branch lines ( 15 ) from the, in particular in the manner of a common gas line, formed filling line ( 16 ) are formed. Use of a device ( 11 ) according to one of claims 1 to 7, for storing hydrogen or natural gas as fuel in a vehicle ( 1 ). Use according to claim 8, characterized in that the device ( 11 ) is used to store hydrogen at a nominal pressure of more than 650 bar. Use according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the stored hydrogen as fuel for a fuel cell system ( 2 ) for providing electrical drive power to the vehicle ( 1 ) serves.

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