FR3079006A1 - PRESSURE GAS TANK (S) FILLING STATION AND METHOD FOR INCREASING ITS AUTONOMY - Google Patents

Abstract

Pressurized gas tank filling station (s) comprising at least one transfer compressor (2, 3), at least one buffer storage (4, 5) configured to receive compressed gas from the at least one compressor (2, 3), a compressed gas supply pipe (8) comprising an end connected to the outlet of the at least one transfer compressor (2, 3) and also connected to the buffer storage (4, 5) and a another end intended to be connected to a tank (14) to be filled, the station comprising a gas reserve module (9) comprising a storage (10) of liquefied gas comprising a mixture of liquid and vaporized gas and a first pipe ( 11) comprising an upstream end connected to the liquefied gas storage (10) and at least one downstream end connected to at least one of: the inlet of at least one transfer compressor (2, 3), a storage (4, 5) buffer; the reserve module (9) comprising a reserve heater (12) and a compressor (13) arranged in the first withdrawal pipe (11) and being configured to allow the transfer of compressed gas from the gas storage (10) liquefied towards the inlet of at least one transfer compressor (2, 3) and / or to a storage (4, 5) buffer.

Description

The invention relates to a filling station for pressurized gas tank (s) as well as a process for increasing its autonomy.

The invention relates more particularly to a station for filling a tank (s) of pressurized gas, in particular hydrogen under pressure, comprising at least one transfer compressor configured to accept at its inlet different gas pressures, at least one storage buffer connected to the outlet of at least one transfer compressor and configured to receive compressed gas by the at least one transfer compressor, a compressed gas supply pipe comprising an end connected to the outlet of the at least one transfer compressor and connected also to the buffer storage (s) and another end intended to be connected to a tank to be filled for transferring gas supplied by the transfer compressor and / or by the buffer storage (s) to the tank to be filled; gas supply line comprising at least one gas cooling member.

When it is desired to increase the capacity of a filling station for gaseous hydrogen for vehicles (i.e. the maximum quantity of hydrogen that the station can deliver to vehicles per day), it is also increase its autonomy (i.e. the time between two hydrogen replenishments at the station by truck). Without this increase in autonomy, the station will have to be restocked several times a day, logistics costs will increase, as well as the risks of hydrogen shortage due to failure to deliver.

To increase the capacity of these stations, the flow rate of the station's compressor (s) can be increased. For volume hydrogen compressors which have a variable flow according to a variable suction pressure, the compressor flow will be higher when the suction pressure is higher. It is therefore a question of raising this pressure, to increase the capacity of the station.

To increase the autonomy of the station, it is a question of increasing the quantity of hydrogen which the trucks can transport and deliver and the size of the storages at the station. Beyond a certain autonomy threshold, the transport and storage of hydrogen in gaseous form becomes too expensive, compared to the transport or storage of hydrogen in liquid form.

An object of the present invention is to overcome all or part of the drawbacks of the prior art noted above.

To this end, the station according to the invention, moreover conforms to the generic definition given in the preamble above, is essentially characterized in that it comprises a gas reserve module comprising a storage of liquefied gas comprising a mixture of liquid and vaporized gas and a first withdrawal line comprising an upstream end connected to the storage of liquefied gas, in particular in its upper part, and at least one downstream end connected to at least one of: the inlet d '' at least one transfer compressor, buffer storage; the reserve module comprising a heater or vaporizer and a reserve compressor arranged in the first draw-off line, the gas reserve module being configured to allow the transfer of compressed gas from the storage of liquefied gas to the inlet of '' at least one transfer compressor and / or to a buffer storage.

Furthermore, embodiments of the invention may include one or more of the following characteristics:

the gas reserve module, and in particular the reserve compressor, is configured to supply compressed gas at a pressure between 60 bar and 550 bar and preferably between 200 bar and 450 bar,

- the station includes two transfer compressors and two buffer storage, the outputs of the transfer compressors being connected to the two buffer storage to allow filling of the buffer storage with compressed gas by the transfer compressors and in that at least one buffer storage is connected to the inlet of at least one of the transfer compressors in order to supply said transfer compressor with pressurized gas coming from the relevant buffer storage (s),

the first draw-off line comprises at least two downstream ends connected respectively to at least two of: the inlet of a first transfer compressor, the inlet of the second transfer compressor, at least one buffer storage,

- The first withdrawal line comprises three downstream ends connected in parallel respectively to the inlet of the first transfer compressor, to the inlet of the second transfer compressor and to a buffer storage, the station being configured to control the transfer of compressed gas in one or more of said downstream ends of the withdrawal pipe,

the gas reserve module comprises a second draw-off line comprising an upstream end connected to the storage of liquefied gas, in particular to the lower part of the storage of liquefied gas, and at least one downstream end connected to the inlet of at least a transfer compressor, the second draw-off line comprising a heater or vaporizer and optionally a pump,

the gas reserve module is detachably connected to the rest of the filling station, that is to say that in particular when the storage of liquefied gas is empty, the reserve module is detachable from the rest of the filling station filling and another full reserve module can be connected to the rest of the station,

- the gas reserve module is connected in a non-removable manner to the rest of the filling station, that is to say that the gas reserve module is integral and inseparable from the rest of the filling station,

- the gas reserve module includes a hydrogen production device such as a steam methane reforming system and / or an electrolyser producing gas at a pressure between 7 bar and 30 bar,

- The at least one member for cooling the gas of the gas supply pipe comprises a heat exchanger and a reserve or a cold production system.

The invention also relates to a method for increasing the autonomy of a station for filling a tank (s) with pressurized gas, in particular hydrogen under pressure, the station comprising at least one transfer compressor configured to accept at its inlet for different gas pressures, at least one buffer storage connected to the outlet of at least one transfer compressor and configured to receive compressed gas by the at least one transfer compressor, a compressed gas supply pipe comprising a connected end at the outlet of at least one transfer compressor and also connected to the buffer storage (s) and one end intended to be connected to a tank to be filled for transferring gas supplied by the transfer compressor and / or the storage (s) ( s) buffer in the tank to be filled, the gas supply pipe comprising at least one gas cooling member, the method comprising a step eg connecting a gas reserve module to the station, the reserve module comprising a storage of liquefied gas comprising a mixture of liquid and vaporized gas and a first draw-off line comprising an upstream end connected to the storage of liquefied gas and at least one downstream end connected to at least one of: the inlet of at least one transfer compressor, a buffer storage; the reserve module comprising a heater or vaporizer and a reserve compressor in the first withdrawal line, the gas reserve module being configured to allow the transfer of compressed gas from the storage of liquefied gas to the inlet of at least one transfer compressor and / or in a buffer storage.

The invention may also relate to any alternative device or process comprising any combination of the above or below characteristics within the scope of the claims.

Other particularities and advantages will appear on reading the description below, made with reference to the figures in which:

FIG. 1 represents a schematic and partial view illustrating a first example of the structure and operation of a station according to the invention,

- Figure 2 shows a schematic and partial view illustrating a second example of the structure and operation of a station according to the invention.

The station 1 for filling a tank (s) with pressurized gas shown in FIG. 1 may in particular be a service station for filling hydrogen tanks 14, in particular for vehicles.

The station 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 comprises a circuit provided with two transfer compressors 2, 3 arranged in series. At least one 2 of the two compressors is a volumetric compressor with variable suction pressure, that is to say a compressor configured to accept at its inlet different gas pressures and which thus delivers an output flow which is higher when the suction pressure (at the inlet) is higher. Thus, the suction pressure at the inlet of the transfer compressors 2, 3 and the gas flow at the outlet of the transfer compressors 2, 3 can be variable. This means that the higher the suction pressure at the inlet of compressor 2, 3, the higher the gas flow rate at the outlet of compressor 2, 3.

The first compressor 2 can be a so-called "low or medium pressure" compressor optimized for suction pressures between 7 bar and 60 bar and providing an outlet pressure between 200 bar and 550 bar.

The second compressor 3 can be a so-called "high pressure" compressor optimized for suction pressures between 60 bar and 850 bar and providing an outlet pressure between 550 bar and 1000 bar.

In this example, station 1 includes two buffer storage units 4, 5 but it would be possible to envisage one or more than two buffer storage units (three, four, etc.).

A first buffer storage 4 can be provided for example for “medium” pressures for example between 150 and 700 bar and in particular between 200 bar and 550 bar while the other buffer storage 5 could be provided for “high” pressures for example between 700 and 1100bar, in particular between 800 bar and 1000 bar.

The two buffer storage areas 4, 5 are connected in parallel to a gas supply pipe 8 comprising an end intended to be connected to the tank (s) 14 to be filled. For example, the supply line 8 comprises a hose provided with a connection nozzle at the inlet of a vehicle reservoir 14.

As illustrated, the two buffers 4, 5 can also be connected to each other via a circuit line (to allow in particular a transfer of gas from one to the other).

In addition, one of the 4 buffer storage can be connected (via a pipe) between the outlet of the first 2 transfer compressor and the inlet of the second 3 transfer compressor. The second buffer storage 5 can be connected (via a pipe) to the outlet or to the inlet of the second transfer compressor 3.

This allows the filling of the two buffer storage (s) 4, 5 by the first transfer compressor 2. In addition, this configuration also makes it possible to fill one or both buffer storages 4, 5 with the second transfer compressor 3. This configuration also makes it possible to supply gas to the inlet of at least one of the transfer compressors 2, 3 with gas from a buffer storage. That is to say that at least one of the buffer stores 4, 5 can act as a source of high pressure gas for the inlet of the compressor 3.

This configuration makes it possible to transfer pressurized gas into the reservoir 14 (via the supply line 8) from one or more buffer storages 4 or 5 (successive cascade balances for example). In addition, this configuration makes it possible to transfer pressurized gas into the reservoir 14 from the transfer compressor (s) 2, 3. In addition, the transfer of gas into the reservoir 14 can be carried out simultaneously from storage (s) 4, 5 buffer and from compressor 2, 3 transfer.

In addition, the circuit can be supplemented if necessary by at least one other line allowing, during a transfer of gas to the reservoir 14 from a buffer storage 4, 5 and / or from a compressor 2, 3 transfer, that the other transfer compressor 3, 2 can be used to fill the other buffer storage 5, 4.

The gas supply pipe 8 preferably comprises at least one member 6, 7 for cooling the gas before it is transferred to the tank.

The cooling member 6, 7 comprises for example a heat exchanger 7 ensuring a heat exchange between the transferred gas and a reserve or source of frigories, for example production system 6 or a cold reserve. For example, the gas is cooled to a temperature between -40 ° C and 0 ° C.

According to an advantageous feature, station 1 includes a unit for increasing the autonomy and possibly the capacity of station 1.

The station 1 thus comprises a gas reserve module 9 comprising a storage 10 for liquefied gas. The storage 10 for liquefied gas conventionally comprises a mixture of liquid (at the bottom) and gas (at the top).

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the reserve module 9 comprises a first draw-off line 11 comprising an upstream end connected to the storage 10 of liquefied gas, in particular in its upper part, and at least one downstream end connected to the rest of the station.

The first draw-off line 11 comprises, arranged in series, heater 12 or vaporizer and a reserve compressor 13.

This draw-off line 11 can thus draw off the vaporization gas (“boil-off”) from the storage 10 of liquefied gas. This vaporized gas, instead of being released to the atmosphere or being liquefied, is used to increase the capacity of station 1.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the downstream end of the withdrawal pipe 11 can be connected in parallel, via the members 12 and 13, both

- a 4 buffer storage (for its filling by the reserve module),

- at the inlet of a first compressor 2 (in order to supply it with pressurized gas to be compressed),

- at the inlet of the second compressor 3 (in order to supply it with pressurized gas to be compressed).

The device can be programmed or controlled to control the transfer of compressed gas into one or more of said downstream ends of the withdrawal line 11 as required (storage in a buffer storage 4 and / or supply of one or more compressors 2 , 3).

Of course, in a simplified variant, the downstream end of the withdrawal line 11 could only be connected to one or only two of the elements described above.

The reserve compressor 13 can be configured to supply compressed gas at a pressure between 10 and 1000 bar and preferably between 200bar and 550 bar.

The reserve module 9 thus makes it possible to supply the compressor or compressors 2, 3 for transferring the station with a higher hydrogen gas pressure, for example greater than 200bar. This increases the speed of the compressor (s) 2, 3 and therefore the capacity of the station.

In addition, the reserve module 9 makes it possible to significantly increase the autonomy of the station, that is to say the amount of gas that it can supply to fill the tanks 14.

For example, without the reserve module 9 the station could typically receive gaseous hydrogen between 30bar and 200bar and would have a range of around 500kg of gas between two deliveries.

On the other hand, with the reserve module 9, the station can receive hydrogen gas above 200 bar and can have a range of more than 500 kg of gas, being limited by the capacity of the liquid tank 10, typically between 1 and 3 tonnes.

The filling station can be a filling station for gaseous hydrogen. Conventionally, the station can be designed to draw in gaseous hydrogen at a determined pressure and to fill the reservoirs 14 with gaseous hydrogen at a higher pressure and according to a determined filling protocol, in particular predetermined (filling speed, pressure, temperature ...).

In the example of FIG. 2, the gas reserve module 9 comprises a second draw-off pipe 15 comprising an upstream end connected to the storage 10 for liquefied gas, in particular to the lower part of the storage 10 for liquefied gas, and at least one downstream end connected to the input of at least one transfer compressor 2, 3. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the second withdrawal line 15 comprises two downstream ends connected in parallel respectively to the inputs of the two transfer compressors 2, 3.

The second transfer pipe 15 makes it possible to withdraw liquid from the storage 10 (pump 16) which is vaporized (heater 17) and the high pressure gas produced can supply the transfer compressor (s) 2, 3.

Conventionally, the station may include a gas return line connecting the pump to storage 10, to return the gas produced by the pump to storage 10.

The gas reserve module 9 can be removably connected to the rest of the filling station. In other words, when the storage 10 for liquefied gas is empty, the reserve module 9 is detachable from the rest of the filling station and another full reserve module 9 (storage 10) can be connected to the rest from the station. In other words, the reserve module 9 connects temporarily to an existing station to increase its capacity.

Alternatively, the gas reserve module 9 can be connected in a non-removable manner to the rest of the filling station, that is to say that the gas reserve module 9 is integral and inseparable from the rest of the filling station. filling. In other words, the reserve module 9 connects definitively to an existing station to increase its capacity.

The reserve module 9 can include an on-site production system (SMR and / or electrolyser) delivering gas (hydrogen) at high pressure (with or without compressor) to increase the capacity of station 1 temporarily or not.

Claims (10)

1. Filling station for tank (s) of pressurized gas, in particular hydrogen under pressure, comprising at least one transfer compressor (2, 3) configured to accept at its inlet different gas pressures, at least one storage (4, 5) buffer connected to the output of at least one transfer compressor (2, 3) and configured to receive compressed gas by the at least one transfer compressor (2, 3), a pipe (8) for supplying compressed gas comprising one end connected to the outlet of the at least one transfer compressor (2, 3) and also connected to the buffer storage (s) (4, 5) and another end intended to be connected to a reservoir (14) at fill to transfer to the tank (14) to be filled with gas supplied by the transfer compressor (2, 3) and / or by the buffer storage (s) (4, 5), the supply line (8) gas comprising at least one member (6, 7) for cooling the gas, the station comprising a module (9) gas reserve comprising a storage (10) of liquefied gas comprising a mixture of liquid and vaporized gas and a first draw-off line (11) comprising an upstream end connected to the storage (10) of liquefied gas, in particular in its upper part, and at least one downstream end connected to at least one of: the inlet of at least one transfer compressor (2, 3), a buffer storage (4, 5); the reserve module (9) comprising a heater (12) or vaporizer and a reserve compressor (13) arranged in the first draw-off line (11), the gas reserve module (9) being configured to allow the transfer of compressed gas from the storage (10) of liquefied gas to the inlet of at least one transfer compressor (2, 3) and / or to a buffer storage (4, 5). 2. Station according to claim 1, characterized in that the gas reserve module (9), and in particular the reserve compressor (13), is configured to supply compressed gas at a pressure between 60 bar and 550 bar and of preferably between 200bar and 450 bar. 3. Station according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises two transfer compressors (2, 3) and two buffer storage (4, 5), the outputs of the transfer compressors (2, 3) being connected to two buffer storages (4, 5) to allow filling of the buffer storages (4, 5) with compressed gas by the transfer compressors (2, 3) and in that at least one of the storages (4, 5) buffer is connected to the inlet of at least one of the transfer compressors (2, 3) to allow supplying said transfer compressor (2, 3) with pressurized gas from the storage (2, 3) buffer concerned (s). 4. Station according to claim 3, characterized in that the first draw-off line (11) comprises at least two downstream ends connected respectively to at least two of: the inlet of a first transfer compressor (2), the input of the second transfer compressor (3), at least one buffer storage (4). 5. Station according to claim 4, characterized in that the first draw-off line (11) comprises three downstream ends connected in parallel respectively to the inlet of the first transfer compressor (2), to the inlet of the second compressor (3 ) transfer and buffer storage (4), the station being configured to control the transfer of compressed gas into one or more of said downstream ends of the withdrawal pipe (11). 6. Station according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the gas reserve module (9) comprises a second draw-off line (15) comprising an upstream end connected to the storage (10) of liquefied gas, in particular at the lower part of the liquefied gas storage (10), and at least one downstream end connected to the inlet of at least one transfer compressor (2, 3), the second draw-off line (15) comprising a heater (17) or vaporizer and possibly a pump (16). 7. Station according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the gas reserve module (9) is removably connected to the rest of the filling station, that is to say that in particular when the liquefied gas storage (10) is empty, the reserve module (9) is detachable from the rest of the filling station and another full reserve module (9) can be connected to the rest of the station. 8. Station according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the gas reserve module (9) is connected in a non-removable manner to the rest of the filling station, that is to say that the gas reserve module (9) is integral and inseparable from the rest of the filling station. 9. Station according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the gas reserve module (9) comprises a hydrogen production device such as a methane reforming system with steam and / or an electrolyser producing gas at a pressure between 7 bar and 30 bar. 10. Method for increasing the autonomy of a station for filling a tank (s) of pressurized gas, in particular hydrogen under pressure, the station comprising at least one transfer compressor (2, 3) configured to accept at its inlet of different gas pressures, at least one buffer storage (4, 5) connected to the outlet of at least one transfer compressor (2, 3) and configured to receive gas compressed by the at least one compressor (2, 3) transfer, a pipe (8) for supplying compressed gas comprising an end connected to the outlet of the at least one compressor (2, 3) for transfer and also connected to the storage (s) (4, 5) buffer and a end intended to be connected to a tank (14) to be filled to transfer gas supplied by the transfer compressor (2, 3) and / or the storage (s) (4, 5) buffer in the tank (14 ) to be filled, the gas supply pipe (8) comprising at least one member (6, 7) for cooling gas, the method comprising a step of connecting a gas reserve module (9) to the station, the reserve module (9) comprising a storage (10) of liquefied gas comprising a mixture of liquid and gas vaporized and a first draw-off line (11) comprising an upstream end connected to the storage (10) of liquefied gas and at least one downstream end connected to at least one of: the inlet of at least one compressor (2, 3) transfer, storage (4, 5) buffer; the reserve module (9) comprising a heater (12) or vaporizer and a reserve compressor (13) in the first draw-off line (11), the gas reserve module (9) being configured to allow gas transfer compressed from the storage (10) of liquefied gas to the inlet of at least one transfer compressor (2, 3) and / or into a buffer storage (4, 5).