JP2011017406A - Hydrogen filling system, hydrogen filling method, movable body, and hydrogen filling device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enhance the reliability of operation for inhibiting a temperature rise in a hydrogen tank during filling of hydrogen.SOLUTION: A hydrogen filling system for supplementing hydrogen gas from the hydrogen filling device to the hydrogen tank includes: a hydrogen filling path bringing a hydrogen filling device side in communication with the hydrogen tank and supplying hydrogen gas to the hydrogen tank; a hydrogen gas return flow path bringing the hydrogen tank into communication with the hydrogen filling device side and leading hydrogen gas in the hydrogen tank to the hydrogen filling device side; an opening and closing valve provided in the hydrogen gas return flow path; and a return state switching control part switching the opening and closing valve from a valve close state to a valve open state while continuing supply of hydrogen gas through the hydrogen filling path if the interior of the hydrogen tank corresponds to a predetermined high-temperature state when hydrogen is filled from the hydrogen filling device to the hydrogen tank.

Description

  The present invention relates to a hydrogen filling system, a hydrogen filling method, a moving body, and a hydrogen filling apparatus.

  Conventionally, in order to reduce environmental load, vehicles using hydrogen as a fuel for generating driving energy, for example, electric vehicles equipped with a fuel cell as a driving power source, and vehicles equipped with a hydrogen engine as a driving power source have been used. Various proposals have been made. As described above, when hydrogen is used as a driving fuel for a vehicle, a hydrogen tank that stores hydrogen, for example, a high-pressure hydrogen tank that stores hydrogen in a high-pressure gas state is mounted on the vehicle, It is necessary to supply hydrogen.

  When hydrogen gas is charged into the high-pressure hydrogen tank as described above, a so-called adiabatic compression is brought about, and the temperature in the hydrogen tank rises. However, with respect to the temperature of the high-pressure hydrogen tank, for example, legal regulations may become a problem, and it is desired to perform hydrogen filling while suppressing a temperature rise. As one of the methods for filling hydrogen while suppressing the temperature rise in the hydrogen tank, prior to the supply of hydrogen gas to the fuel cell vehicle in a conventional hydrogen station for filling the hydrogen tank of the fuel cell vehicle with hydrogen. A configuration in which hydrogen gas is cooled (precooled) in a hydrogen station has been proposed (for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-202619).

JP 2008-202619 A JP 2002-089793 A

  However, even when the supplied hydrogen is precooled, when the hydrogen gas is filled in the hydrogen tank, a rise in the temperature in the hydrogen tank due to so-called adiabatic compression is unavoidable, and the hydrogen tank is more fully charged. It has been desired to suppress the temperature rise and increase the reliability of the temperature rise suppression in the hydrogen filling operation. There is also a demand for downsizing or reducing the cooling device for precooling the hydrogen gas in order to simplify the configuration and reduce the cost of the hydrogen gas supply device for filling the hydrogen gas into the hydrogen tank. .

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to improve the reliability of the operation for suppressing the temperature increase in the hydrogen tank during hydrogen filling.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to solve at least a part of the problems described above, and the invention can be implemented as the following forms or application examples.

[Application Example 1]
A hydrogen filling system for replenishing hydrogen gas from a hydrogen filling device to a hydrogen tank,
A hydrogen gas filling path for connecting the hydrogen filling device side and the hydrogen tank to supply hydrogen gas to the hydrogen tank;
A hydrogen gas return flow path for communicating the hydrogen tank and the hydrogen filling device side to guide the hydrogen gas in the hydrogen tank to the hydrogen filling device side;
An on-off valve provided in the hydrogen gas return flow path, allowing the hydrogen gas in the hydrogen tank to flow into the hydrogen filling device side by opening the valve, and closing the valve to close the hydrogen tank An on-off valve that suppresses the inflow of hydrogen from the hydrogen filling device to
When supplying hydrogen from the hydrogen filling device to the hydrogen tank, if the hydrogen tank corresponds to a preset high temperature state, the supply of hydrogen gas through the hydrogen gas filling path is continued. And a return state switching control section for switching the on-off valve from the closed state to the open state.

  According to the hydrogen filling system described in Application Example 1, when hydrogen filling is performed from the hydrogen filling device to the hydrogen tank, if it is determined that the inside of the hydrogen tank corresponds to a preset high temperature state, the hydrogen tank is In a state where the supply of the hydrogen gas is continued, the open / close valve of the hydrogen gas return channel is switched to the open state. Thus, by continuing the supply of hydrogen gas to the hydrogen tank while recovering the hydrogen gas whose temperature has been raised in the hydrogen tank to the hydrogen filling device side, the temperature rise in the hydrogen tank can be suppressed. . Thereby, the reliability of the operation | movement which suppresses that the temperature in a hydrogen tank raises to an undesired extent at the time of hydrogen filling can be improved.

[Application Example 2]
The hydrogen filling system according to Application Example 1, further including a temperature sensor that detects a temperature in the hydrogen tank, wherein the return state switching control unit has a temperature in the hydrogen tank detected by the temperature sensor, The hydrogen filling system which judges that it corresponds to the said high temperature state when it exceeds predetermined hydrogen return reference temperature. According to the hydrogen filling system described in the application example 2, since the on-off valve provided in the hydrogen gas return flow path is opened based on the detected temperature in the hydrogen tank, the temperature in the hydrogen tank is set to an undesirable level. The precision of the operation | movement which suppresses a raise can be improved.

[Application Example 3]
In the hydrogen filling system according to Application Example 2, when the return state switching control unit opens the on-off valve, the hydrogen filling system flows from the hydrogen tank to the hydrogen filling device side through the hydrogen return flow path. The hydrogen gas flow rate is equal to the hydrogen gas flow rate supplied from the hydrogen filling device side to the hydrogen tank through the hydrogen gas filling path, and the return state switching control unit opens the on-off valve. The hydrogen filling system that closes the on-off valve when the temperature in the hydrogen tank becomes equal to or lower than a return stop reference temperature that is lower than the hydrogen return reference temperature. According to the hydrogen filling system described in Application Example 3, the flow rate of hydrogen gas flowing from the hydrogen tank to the hydrogen filling device is equal to the flow rate of hydrogen gas supplied from the hydrogen filling device to the hydrogen tank. The hydrogen pressure is maintained at the hydrogen pressure when the on-off valve is opened. Therefore, when the temperature in the hydrogen tank becomes equal to or lower than the return stop reference temperature, an operation of increasing the hydrogen filling amount in the hydrogen tank from the state of the hydrogen pressure when the on-off valve is opened may be performed. Therefore, further hydrogen filling can be performed without impairing the effect of lowering the temperature in the hydrogen tank.

[Application Example 4]
The hydrogen filling system according to Application Example 3, wherein the hydrogen filling apparatus includes a high pressure storage unit that stores the hydrogen gas at a higher pressure than when the hydrogen tank is fully filled, and the hydrogen gas filling path includes A regulator that allows the supply of hydrogen gas in a state where the downstream pressure connected to the hydrogen tank is constant, a branch path that guides the hydrogen gas flowing through the hydrogen gas filling path to bypass the regulator, and hydrogen A switching valve that switches between a path through which the gas flows and a path that passes through the regulator and a path that passes through the branch path, and the hydrogen filling system further includes: When the hydrogen gas passes through the branch path and the on-off valve is open, the supply flow path switching that drives the switching valve so that the hydrogen gas passes through the regulator Hydrogen filling system with a control unit. According to the hydrogen filling system described in the application example 4, when opening the on-off valve, the hydrogen gas is led through the regulator to flow the hydrogen gas flowing from the hydrogen tank to the hydrogen filling device side, and the hydrogen filling. The flow rate of hydrogen gas supplied from the apparatus side to the hydrogen tank can be made equal.

[Application Example 5]
The hydrogen filling system according to Application Example 2, further including a filling amount detection unit that detects a value reflecting the filling amount in the hydrogen tank, and the return state switching control unit is detected by the filling amount detection unit. When the value reflecting the filling amount in the hydrogen tank reaches a reference value corresponding to a filling amount smaller than the full filling, the temperature in the hydrogen tank detected by the temperature sensor depends on the reference value. A hydrogen filling system for opening the on-off valve when the predetermined hydrogen return reference temperature is exceeded. According to the hydrogen filling system described in the application example 5, the on-off valve is opened based on the hydrogen return reference temperature set according to the filling amount of the hydrogen tank. Therefore, according to the filling amount of the hydrogen tank, Only when it is judged necessary to suppress the temperature rise, the operation of returning the hydrogen gas from the hydrogen tank to the hydrogen supply device side is performed. Therefore, it is possible to suppress an excessive operation of returning the hydrogen gas from the hydrogen tank to the hydrogen supply device side, and it is possible to suppress a decrease in the efficiency of the operation of filling the hydrogen into the hydrogen tank.

[Application Example 6]
In the hydrogen filling system according to Application Example 5, when the return state switching control unit opens the on-off valve, the hydrogen filling system flows from the hydrogen tank to the hydrogen filling device side through the hydrogen return passage. A hydrogen filling system in which a hydrogen gas flow rate is smaller than a hydrogen gas flow rate supplied from the hydrogen filling device side to the hydrogen tank through the hydrogen gas filling path. According to the hydrogen filling system described in Application Example 6, since the hydrogen filling amount in the hydrogen tank can be increased while the on-off valve is opened, the hydrogen gas in the hydrogen tank is supplied to the hydrogen filling device side. Thus, the delay of the hydrogen filling operation due to the recovery operation can be suppressed.

[Application Example 7]
7. The hydrogen filling system according to any one of Application Examples 1 to 6, wherein the hydrogen filling device cools hydrogen gas supplied from the hydrogen filling device to the hydrogen tank via the hydrogen gas filling path. A hydrogen filling system comprising: According to the hydrogen filling system described in Application Example 7, the temperature of the hydrogen gas supplied from the hydrogen filling device to the hydrogen tank can be further lowered, so that the temperature in the hydrogen tank rises to an undesirable level when filling with hydrogen. Therefore, it is possible to further improve the reliability of the operation that suppresses the occurrence of the above.

[Application Example 8]
8. The hydrogen filling system according to claim 1, wherein the hydrogen filling device stores the hydrogen gas at a higher pressure than when the hydrogen tank is fully filled, and stores the hydrogen gas. A buffer tank capable of boosting, and a pressure increasing supply unit that pressurizes hydrogen in the buffer tank and supplies the pressure to the high pressure storage unit, and the hydrogen gas filling path connects the high pressure storage unit and the hydrogen tank. The hydrogen gas is led from the high-pressure storage unit to the hydrogen tank, and the hydrogen gas return flow path connects the hydrogen tank and the buffer tank, and a pressure difference inside the hydrogen tank and the buffer tank A hydrogen filling system for introducing hydrogen gas from the hydrogen tank to the buffer tank using According to the hydrogen filling system described in the application example 8, the hydrogen gas recovered from the hydrogen tank to the hydrogen supply device side can be used again for filling the hydrogen gas into the hydrogen tank.

[Application Example 9]
9. The hydrogen filling system according to any one of application examples 1 to 8, wherein the hydrogen tank is a tank that is mounted on a moving body and stores hydrogen as fuel for driving the moving body. According to the hydrogen filling system described in Application Example 9, when hydrogen gas is charged into the hydrogen tank mounted on the moving body, it is possible to sufficiently ensure the suppression of the temperature rise of the hydrogen tank.

  The present invention can be realized in various forms other than those described above. For example, the present invention can be realized in the form of a hydrogen filling method, a moving body, a hydrogen filling apparatus, or the like.

1 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a schematic configuration of a hydrogen filling system 10. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration related to a hydrogen tank 20. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the process of hydrogen replenishment operation | movement. It is explanatory drawing showing the mode of the temperature in a hydrogen tank at the time of hydrogen filling, and a pressure. 2 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a schematic configuration of a hydrogen filling system 110. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the process of hydrogen replenishment operation | movement. It is explanatory drawing showing the change of the temperature in a hydrogen tank at the time of hydrogen filling, and a pressure.

A. Overall configuration of the device:
FIG. 1 is an explanatory view schematically showing a schematic configuration of a hydrogen filling system 10 as a first embodiment of the present invention. The hydrogen filling system 10 includes a vehicle 15 that uses hydrogen as an energy source for generating driving energy, and a hydrogen supply device 18 that replenishes the vehicle 15 with hydrogen.

  The vehicle 15 is an electric vehicle including a fuel cell as a driving power source, and is equipped with a hydrogen tank 20 that stores hydrogen gas to be supplied to the anode of the fuel cell. The fuel cell provided in the vehicle 15 of the present embodiment has a stack structure in which a plurality of single cells are stacked, and can be, for example, a solid polymer fuel cell or a solid oxide fuel cell. In addition to the fuel cell that receives supply of hydrogen from the hydrogen tank 20, the vehicle 15 is driven by a blower for supplying air as an oxidizing gas to the cathode side of the fuel cell, and power supplied from the fuel cell. A motor for generating power and a secondary battery are provided. Since the main part of the present invention is in the configuration related to the hydrogen replenishment for the hydrogen tank 20, the illustration and detailed description of the components of the vehicle 15 other than the configuration related to the hydrogen replenishment for the hydrogen tank 20 are omitted. .

  The hydrogen tank 20 includes a first hydrogen gas filling path 22 for supplying hydrogen gas to the hydrogen tank 20, and a first part for guiding part of the hydrogen gas stored in the hydrogen tank 20 to the outside of the vehicle 15. A hydrogen gas return channel 24 and a fuel supply channel 26 for guiding the hydrogen gas extracted from the hydrogen tank 20 to the fuel cell are connected. One end of each of the first hydrogen gas filling passage 22 and the first hydrogen gas return passage 24 is connected to the hydrogen tank 20, and the other end is opened close to each other on the outer surface of the vehicle 15. An opening 23 which is an opening at the other end of the first hydrogen gas filling path 22 provided close to each other and an opening 25 which is an opening at the other end of the first hydrogen gas return channel 24 are a connector. The receiving part 30 is comprised. The connector receiving portion 30 is provided on the outer surface of the vehicle 15, and when hydrogen is replenished to the hydrogen tank 20 using the hydrogen supply device 18, hydrogen is supplied between the hydrogen supply device 18 and the vehicle 15. This is a structure for connecting the flow paths. The connector receiving part 30 is provided with a connection sensor 31 that detects when the hydrogen supply device 18 is connected to the connector receiving part 30 and outputs a detection signal. The first hydrogen gas filling passage 22 is provided with a check valve 33 that suppresses the flow of hydrogen gas from the hydrogen tank 20 toward the opening 23, and the first hydrogen gas return passage 24 includes An on-off valve 32 is provided. By opening and closing the on-off valve 32, it is possible to switch between a state in which the flow of hydrogen gas from the hydrogen tank 20 to the connector receiving portion 30 side and a state in which the flow of hydrogen gas is blocked. The fuel supply path 26 has one end connected to the hydrogen tank 20 and the other end connected to the fuel cell so that hydrogen can be supplied to the anode of the fuel cell.

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration relating to the hydrogen tank 20 and a flow path for supplying and discharging hydrogen to and from the hydrogen tank 20. The hydrogen tank 20 is a gas cylinder that stores hydrogen gas in a compressed gas state, and includes a liner 40, a reinforcing layer 42, and a pair of caps 44. The liner 40 is a hollow container formed in a substantially cylindrical shape and having a space for storing hydrogen at a high pressure therein. In the present embodiment, the liner 40 is made of resin. The reinforcing layer 42 is provided on the outer wall of the liner 40. The reinforcing layer 42 is for improving the strength of the hydrogen tank 20 and is made of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP). The reinforcing layer 42 can be formed by, for example, winding a carbon fiber impregnated with an epoxy resin or the like around the outer periphery of the liner 40 and then curing the impregnated resin.

  The base 44 is a metal member that is fitted into each of the openings formed at both ends of the liner 40 on which the reinforcing layer 42 is formed. A valve 45 is fitted into one base 44, and a valve 46 is fitted into the other base 44. The valves 45 and 46 are metal members. A fuel supply path 26 is connected to the valve 45 so that hydrogen can be supplied from the hydrogen tank 20 to the fuel cell via the valve 45. Further, the valve 45 is provided with the temperature sensor 34 and the pressure sensor 36 described above for detecting the temperature and pressure inside the hydrogen tank 20 (see FIG. 1). The temperature sensor 34 and the pressure sensor 36 may be provided at any location in the hydrogen tank 20 as long as the temperature or pressure in the hydrogen tank 20 can be detected. Instead, by providing the wiring of each sensor through the metal base 44, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the sealing performance in the hydrogen tank due to the provision of the sensor. The valve 46 is connected to the first hydrogen gas filling passage 22 and the first hydrogen gas return passage 24, and the hydrogen is passed between the connector receiving portion 30 side and the hydrogen tank 20 via the valve 46. Gas can be exchanged.

  The vehicle 15 further includes an antenna unit 37 and a control unit 38 (see FIG. 1). The antenna unit 37 communicates with the hydrogen supply device 18, that is, transmits and receives signals. The control unit 38 is configured as a logic circuit centered on a microcomputer, and includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, an input / output port for inputting / outputting various signals, and the like. When the hydrogen is replenished to the hydrogen tank 20, the control unit 38 acquires the detection signals from the temperature sensor 34, the pressure sensor 36, or the connection sensor 31 described above, and drives the on-off valve 32. Output a signal. In addition, the control unit 38 exchanges signals related to communication with the hydrogen supply device 18 with the antenna unit 37. The operation performed when hydrogen is replenished to the hydrogen tank 20 will be described in detail later.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the hydrogen tank 20 is an all-composite tank including the resin liner 40 and the reinforcing layer 42 made of CFRP, but may have a different configuration. The above configuration is advantageous in that the hydrogen tank 20 can be easily reduced in weight. For example, the liner 40 may be formed of a metal such as aluminum, or a metal liner having no reinforcing layer. It is good also as comprising the hydrogen tank 20 only by.

  The hydrogen supply device 18 is a stationary device for replenishing hydrogen to the hydrogen tank 20 provided in the vehicle 15. The hydrogen supply device 18 includes a hydrogen gas storage unit 50 that stores hydrogen gas to be supplied to the vehicle 15, a cooler 54 that cools the hydrogen gas to be supplied to the vehicle 15, and hydrogen gas recovered from the vehicle 15. A buffer tank 55 for storage. Further, the hydrogen supply device 18 includes a connection pipe 19 as a structure for connecting to the vehicle 15. The connection pipe 19 includes a connector 68 at an end portion, and a second hydrogen gas filling path 62 through which hydrogen gas flows and a second hydrogen gas return path 63 are provided inside.

  The hydrogen gas storage unit 50 stores hydrogen gas at a higher pressure (for example, about 90 MPa) than when the hydrogen tank 20 mounted on the vehicle 15 is fully filled. The hydrogen supply device 18 according to the present embodiment includes a hydrogen gas storage device (not shown) that has a lower hydrogen pressure (for example, about 20 MPa) than the hydrogen gas storage unit 50 and can store more hydrogen. In the hydrogen gas storage unit 50, the hydrogen gas pressure increased by the compressor is supplied from the hydrogen gas storage device, so that the internal hydrogen gas pressure is always kept sufficiently high.

  The second hydrogen gas filling path 62 has one end connected to the hydrogen gas storage unit 50 and the other end opened as an opening 60 in the connector 68. The second hydrogen gas filling path 62 is provided with an opening / closing valve 57 at a connection portion with the hydrogen gas storage unit 50, and the second hydrogen gas is supplied from the hydrogen gas storage unit 50 by opening the opening / closing valve 57. Hydrogen gas can flow out to the filling path 62. In the middle of the second hydrogen gas filling path 62, the second hydrogen gas filling path 62 branches into two flow paths, a first branch path 64 and a second branch path 65, and then merges again. A flow path switching valve 51 is provided at a branching portion of the first branch path 64 and the second branch path 65. By switching the flow path switching valve 51, a path through which hydrogen gas flows is changed to the first branch path. It is possible to switch between a route via 64 and a route via the second branch 65. The first branch path 64 is provided with a flow rate adjustment valve 52, and by controlling the flow rate adjustment valve 52, the flow rate of hydrogen gas supplied to the vehicle 15 side via the first branch path 64 is increased. It is adjustable. Further, a regulator 53 is provided in the second branch 65, and by passing through the regulator 53, hydrogen gas is supplied to the vehicle 15 side so that the hydrogen gas pressure on the downstream side of the regulator 53 is constant. And can be supplied.

  In the second hydrogen gas filling path 62, a cooler 54 is provided downstream of the junction between the first branch path 64 and the second branch path 65. Thereby, even if it is a case where the hydrogen gas from the hydrogen gas storage part 50 passes any path | route of the 1st branch path 64 and the 2nd branch path 65, after cooling beforehand, it goes to the vehicle 15 side. It is possible to supply. In this embodiment, the hydrogen supplied to the vehicle 15 side is cooled to about −20 ° C. by the cooler 54.

  The second hydrogen gas return channel 63 has one end opening as an opening 61 in the connector 68 and the other end connected to the buffer tank 55. The buffer tank 55 is a tank for temporarily storing hydrogen gas supplied from the vehicle 15 side via the second hydrogen gas return passage 63. Further, a hydrogen gas recovery channel 66 is provided as a channel connecting the buffer tank 55 and the hydrogen gas storage unit 50. The hydrogen gas recovery flow path 66 is provided with a compressor 56, and the hydrogen gas recovered from the vehicle 15 side and stored in the buffer tank 55 can be pressurized and supplied to the hydrogen gas storage unit 50. .

  The connector 68 can be connected to the connector receiving portion 30 described above provided on the outer surface of the vehicle 15, and is a connection pipe for connecting a hydrogen flow path between the hydrogen supply device 18 and the vehicle 15. 19 is an end structure. By connecting the connector 68 and the connector receiver 30, the openings 60 and 61 of the connector 68 are connected to the openings 23 and 25 of the connector receiver 30, respectively. Accordingly, the second hydrogen gas filling path 62 and the second hydrogen gas return path 63 on the hydrogen supply device 18 side are respectively replaced with the first hydrogen gas filling path 22 or the first hydrogen gas return path 24 on the vehicle 15 side. Can be connected to each other. Here, the opening portions 60 and 61 of the connector 68 and the opening portions 23 and 25 of the connector receiving portion 30 are respectively provided with sealing members around the opening portions, so that the hydrogen gas filling path and the hydrogen gas return are provided. The flow path can be connected in an airtight state.

  Here, the arrangement of the opening 60 of the second hydrogen gas filling passage 62 and the opening 61 of the second hydrogen gas return passage 63 in the connector 68 is the opening 23 of the first hydrogen gas filling passage 22 in the connector receiving portion 30. This corresponds to the arrangement of the opening 25 of the first hydrogen gas return channel 24. Therefore, by connecting the connector 68 and the connector receiving portion 30, the hydrogen gas filling path and the hydrogen gas return path can be simultaneously connected between the hydrogen supply device 18 and the vehicle 15. Here, the connection between the connector 68 and the connector receiving portion 30 may be performed, for example, by engaging an engaging portion (not shown) provided in the connector 68 with an engaging receiving portion (not shown) provided in the connector receiving portion 30. Note that the connection sensor 31 described above included in the connector receiving portion 30 can be, for example, a sensor that detects displacement when the engagement receiving portion engages with the engaging portion. Further, in the present embodiment, the hydrogen gas filling path and the hydrogen gas return path are simultaneously connected between the hydrogen supply device 18 and the vehicle 15 via the connector 68 and the connector receiving portion 30. It is good also as a structure. That is, a different connection pipe is provided for each of the hydrogen gas filling passage and the hydrogen gas return passage, and the hydrogen gas filling passage and the hydrogen gas return passage are separately provided between the hydrogen supply device 18 and the vehicle 15. It may be connected.

  The hydrogen supply device 18 further includes an antenna unit 59 and a control unit 58. The antenna unit 59 transmits and receives signals to and from the antenna unit 37 described above included in the vehicle 15. The control unit 58 is configured as a logic circuit centered on a microcomputer, and includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, an input / output port for inputting and outputting various signals, and the like. When the hydrogen is replenished to the hydrogen tank 20, the controller 58 outputs a drive signal to the flow path switching valve 51, the flow rate adjustment valve 52, the regulator 53, or the on-off valve 57. In addition, the control unit 58 exchanges signals related to communication with the vehicle 15 with the antenna unit 59.

B. Operation during filling:
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation process of replenishing the vehicle 15 with hydrogen from the hydrogen supply device 18. In the process chart shown in FIG. 3, human operations on the vehicle 15 and the hydrogen supply device 18, processes executed by each unit such as the control unit 38 in the vehicle 15, and a control unit 58 of the hydrogen supply device 18 are executed. This process is shown continuously over time. When hydrogen is replenished to the vehicle 15, the user first attaches the connector 68 of the hydrogen supply device 18 to the connector receiving portion 30 of the vehicle 15 (step S100). As a result, the first hydrogen gas filling path 22 and the first hydrogen gas return path 24 of the vehicle 15 are connected to the second hydrogen gas filling path 62 and the second hydrogen gas return path 63 of the hydrogen supply device 18, respectively. The

  When the connector 68 is connected to the connector receiving portion 30, the connection sensor 31 detects that both are connected (step S110), and a detection signal of the connection sensor 31 is input to the control portion 38 of the vehicle 15. When the detection signal of the connection sensor 31 is input to the control unit 38, information that the connector 68 is connected to the connector receiving unit 30 is transmitted from the vehicle 15 to the hydrogen supply device 18 (step S120). That is, a signal relating to the connection between the connector 68 and the connector receiving unit 30 is transmitted from the control unit 38 to the antenna unit 37, and communication is performed between the antenna unit 37 and the antenna unit 59. 18 control units 58. In the present embodiment, the communication performed between the vehicle 15 and the hydrogen supply device 18 is performed via the antenna unit 37 and the antenna unit 59. However, such wireless communication is performed using radio waves. In addition to using, for example, infrared rays may be used.

  When the connection between the connector 68 and the connector receiver 30 is transmitted, the control unit 58 of the hydrogen supply device 18 outputs a drive signal to the on-off valve 57, the flow path switching valve 51, and the flow rate adjustment valve 52 ( Step S130). Thereby, the on-off valve 57 is opened, and hydrogen gas can flow out from the hydrogen gas storage unit 50. Further, by driving the flow path switching valve 51, the hydrogen gas path is switched so as to pass through the first branch path 64, and the first branch path 64 of the second hydrogen gas filling path 62 is switched from the hydrogen gas storage unit 50. Then, filling of the hydrogen gas into the hydrogen tank 20 is started via the first hydrogen gas filling path 22. As described above, since the pressure in the hydrogen gas storage unit 50 is higher than the pressure in the hydrogen tank 20 included in the vehicle 15, the hydrogen gas from the hydrogen gas storage unit 50 to the hydrogen tank 20 is caused by the pressure difference between the two. Is supplied. When the hydrogen gas filling amount in the hydrogen tank 20 is small and the pressure in the hydrogen tank 20 is low, the flow rate adjustment valve 52 is adjusted until the pressure difference between the hydrogen tank 20 and the hydrogen gas storage unit 50 becomes an allowable value. Control is performed to suppress the inflow of hydrogen gas by narrowing down. When the hydrogen tank 20 of the vehicle 15 is filled with hydrogen, in this embodiment, the fuel cell mounted on the vehicle 15 stops power generation. Therefore, the power consumed by the control unit 38 during hydrogen filling and the power required to drive each unit such as the on-off valve 32 are provided by the already-described secondary battery mounted on the vehicle 15.

  After outputting a signal related to the connection between the connector 68 and the connector receiving unit 30 to the antenna unit 37, the control unit 38 of the vehicle 15 detects the detection signal of the pressure sensor 36 and the internal temperature Ta of the hydrogen tank 20 (tank temperature Ta). The detection signal of the temperature sensor 34 according to is acquired (step S140). Here, the filling rate (or filling amount) of the hydrogen tank 20 can be obtained based on the volume of the hydrogen tank 20, the pressure in the hydrogen tank 20, and the internal temperature of the hydrogen tank 20. Since the volume of the hydrogen tank 20 is constant, the filling rate (or filling amount) of the hydrogen tank 20 can be obtained using the pressure and temperature acquired in step S140. Specifically, for example, the filling rate (filling amount) of hydrogen gas can be calculated theoretically based on a gas state equation. Alternatively, a map showing the correspondence between the pressure and internal temperature of the hydrogen tank 20 and the filling rate is created and stored in the control unit 38, and the filling rate (filling amount) of hydrogen gas is obtained with reference to this map. May be. As described above, when the connection between the connector 68 and the connector receiving portion 30 is detected and the hydrogen supply from the hydrogen supply device 18 to the hydrogen tank 20 is started, the pressure in the hydrogen tank 20 increases. start. When the detection signals of the pressure sensor 36 and the temperature sensor 34 are acquired, the control unit 38 obtains the filling rate (filling amount) in the hydrogen tank 20 as described above, and the hydrogen filling state in the hydrogen tank 20 is fully filled. It is determined whether it is in a state (step S150).

  When it is determined in step S150 that the hydrogen tank 20 has not fully filled, the control unit 38 determines whether or not the tank temperature Ta detected in step S140 has reached the reference temperature T1 (step S190). ). Here, the reference temperature T1 is a temperature determined in advance based on the upper limit value of the internal temperature of the hydrogen tank 20 so that the internal temperature of the hydrogen tank 20 does not exceed the upper limit value. In this embodiment, the upper limit value of the internal temperature of the hydrogen tank 20 is 85 ° C., and the reference temperature T 1 is set to 80 ° C., which is 5 ° C. lower than the upper limit value.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing changes in the temperature in the hydrogen tank 20 and the pressure in the hydrogen tank 20 when the hydrogen tank 20 is filled with hydrogen in the hydrogen filling system 10 of the present embodiment. In FIG. 4, whether the first branch path 64 or the second branch path 65 is used in the second hydrogen gas filling path 62, and the opening / closing valve 32 of the first hydrogen gas return path 24. The open / closed state is also shown. FIG. 4 shows a state where the empty hydrogen tank 20 is fully filled. When charging of hydrogen gas is started, as described above, hydrogen gas is supplied through the first branch path 64, and the on-off valve 32 of the first hydrogen gas return channel 24 is in a closed state. It has become. At this time, the pressure in the hydrogen tank 20 increases with the supply of hydrogen gas to the hydrogen tank 20. As described above, the hydrogen gas supplied from the hydrogen supply device 18 is cooled in advance by the cooler 54. When the hydrogen gas is filled into the hydrogen tank 20, the hydrogen tank 20 is so-called adiabatic compression. Since it will be in a state, the temperature in the hydrogen tank 20 will also rise gradually. Such a state corresponds to the state in the period A shown in FIG.

  In step S190, when the tank temperature Ta is lower than the reference temperature T1, it can be determined that the tank temperature Ta is within an allowable temperature range. Therefore, the control unit 38 returns to step S140, acquires the detection signals of the pressure sensor 36 and the temperature sensor 34, and performs the operation of determining whether or not the hydrogen tank 20 is fully filled. While the hydrogen tank 20 is not fully charged and the tank temperature Ta is in an allowable temperature range, the control unit 38 repeats the operations of steps S140, S150, and S190. That is, the detection signals of the pressure sensor 36 and the temperature sensor 34 are acquired to determine whether or not the hydrogen tank 20 has fully filled, and whether or not the tank temperature Ta has reached the reference temperature T1. Repeat the operation.

  As the above operation is repeated, the hydrogen filling amount in the hydrogen tank 20 increases, and the tank temperature Ta increases accordingly. Thereafter, when it is determined in step S190 that the tank temperature Ta is equal to or higher than the reference temperature T1, the control unit 38 determines that the tank temperature Ta is equal to or higher than the reference temperature T1 and the hydrogen tank 20 detected by the pressure sensor 36. Information related to the pressure is transmitted to the control unit 58 of the hydrogen supply device 18 via communication between the antenna unit 37 and the antenna unit 59 (step S200). Then, the control unit 38 opens the on-off valve 32 by outputting a drive signal to the on-off valve 32, and the control unit 58 of the hydrogen supply device 18 that has received the signal from the vehicle 15 side, A drive signal is output to 51 and the regulator 53 (step S210).

  In this way, by opening the on-off valve 32, a part of the hydrogen gas stored in the hydrogen tank 20 passes through the first hydrogen gas return channel 24 and the second hydrogen gas return channel 63. It is supplied to the buffer tank 55. At this time, the flow rate of hydrogen gas supplied from the hydrogen tank 20 to the buffer tank 55 is determined according to the opening degree of the on-off valve 32 and the pressure difference between the hydrogen tank 20 and the buffer tank 55. Further, by switching the flow path switching valve 51, the path of the hydrogen gas supplied from the hydrogen gas storage unit 50 is switched to a path via the second branch path 65. At this time, the regulator 53 is adjusted so that the internal pressure of the hydrogen tank 20 transmitted by communication becomes the secondary pressure. As a result, the hydrogen supply is performed so that a part of the hydrogen gas in the hydrogen tank 20 of the vehicle 15 is recovered to the buffer tank 55 while the pressure of the hydrogen tank 20 maintains the pressure when the hydrogen recovery is started. Supply of hydrogen gas from the apparatus 18 side is continued. That is, the cooled hydrogen gas in the same amount as the recovered hydrogen gas is supplied from the hydrogen tank 20 to the hydrogen supply device 18 side. As described above, the hydrogen gas once filled in the hydrogen tank 20 and heated is taken out and an equal amount of cooled hydrogen gas is supplied, so that the temperature in the hydrogen tank 20 decreases. Such a state corresponds to the state in the period B shown in FIG. Hereinafter, the operation state in which the supply of hydrogen gas is continued while recovering a part of the hydrogen in the hydrogen tank 20 as described above is referred to as a tank cooling operation.

  When the tank cooling operation is started, the control unit 38 of the vehicle 15 acquires a detection signal of the temperature sensor 34 related to the internal temperature Ta of the hydrogen tank 20 (step S220). Then, it is determined whether or not the acquired tank temperature Ta is lower than the reference temperature T2 (step S230). Here, the reference temperature T2 is a temperature set in advance to determine whether or not the temperature in the hydrogen tank 20 has sufficiently decreased to the extent that the tank cooling operation may be stopped. The controller 38 repeats the operations of steps S220 and S230 that acquire the tank temperature Ta and compare it with the reference temperature T2 until it is determined in step S230 that the tank temperature Ta is lower than the reference temperature T2.

  In step S230, when it is determined that the tank temperature Ta is lower than the reference temperature T2, the control unit 38 transmits information that the tank temperature Ta is lower than the reference temperature T2 via communication between the antenna unit 37 and the antenna unit 59. To the control unit 58 of the hydrogen supply device 18 (step S240). Then, the control unit 38 outputs the drive signal to the on-off valve 32 to close the on-off valve 32, and the control unit 58 of the hydrogen supply device 18 that has received the signal from the vehicle 15 side receives the flow switching valve 51. A drive signal is output to (step S250).

  Thus, by closing the on-off valve 32, the operation of collecting a part of the hydrogen gas in the hydrogen tank 20 to the hydrogen supply device 18 side is stopped. Further, by switching the flow path switching valve 51, the path of the hydrogen gas supplied from the hydrogen gas storage unit 50 is switched to a path that passes through the first branch path 64. As a result, the operation of increasing the hydrogen charged in the hydrogen tank 20 is resumed. Such a state corresponds to the state in the period C shown in FIG. By restarting the filling of the hydrogen into the hydrogen tank 20, the temperature in the hydrogen tank 20 begins to rise again.

  Then, the control part 38 of the vehicle 15 returns to step S140, and repeats the process after step S140. That is, in step S140, the detection signal of the pressure sensor 36 and the detection signal of the temperature sensor 34 related to the tank temperature Ta are acquired, and the filling rate (filling amount) of the hydrogen tank 20 is obtained. Then, it is determined whether or not it is fully filled in step S150. When the temperature in the hydrogen tank 20 reaches the reference temperature T1 until the hydrogen tank 20 is fully filled, the hydrogen filling system 10 performs the tank cooling operation and maintains the hydrogen filling amount in the hydrogen tank 20 while maintaining the hydrogen filling amount. The operation of stopping the tank cooling operation is repeated when the temperature in the hydrogen tank 20 falls below the reference temperature T2.

  When it is determined in step S150 that the hydrogen tank 20 is full, information indicating that the hydrogen tank 20 is full is sent from the vehicle 15 to the control unit 58 of the hydrogen supply device 18 via the antenna unit 37 and the antenna unit 59. Is transmitted (step S160). When information indicating that the hydrogen tank 20 is fully filled is transmitted, the control unit 58 outputs a drive signal to the on-off valve 57 to close it (step S170). Thereby, supply of hydrogen gas from the hydrogen gas storage unit 50 is stopped. Thereafter, by removing the connector 68 from the connector receiving portion 30 (step S180), the hydrogen filling operation is completed. The hydrogen gas recovered in the buffer tank 55 of the hydrogen supply device 18 is then pressurized by the compressor 56, supplied to the hydrogen gas storage unit 50, and used again for hydrogen filling.

  According to the hydrogen filling system 10 of the present embodiment configured as described above, when the internal temperature Ta of the hydrogen tank 20 reaches the reference value T1, a part of the heated hydrogen in the hydrogen tank 20 is hydrogenated. Since the cooled hydrogen gas is continuously supplied to the hydrogen tank 20 while being recovered from the tank 20, the internal temperature Ta of the hydrogen tank 20 can be prevented from reaching an undesirably high temperature. In other words, in this embodiment, since the control for suppressing the tank temperature Ta from exceeding the reference value T1 is repeatedly performed, the internal temperature of the hydrogen tank 20 is maintained throughout the hydrogen filling until the hydrogen tank 20 is fully filled. Reaching the upper limit value can be suppressed. In this embodiment, the target value for hydrogen filling is full, but in step S150, it is determined whether or not the filling amount smaller than full filling has been reached. It is good also as a target value of filling. Even with such a configuration, the same effect is obtained that suppresses reaching the upper limit value of the internal temperature of the hydrogen tank 20 until hydrogen filling is completed.

  Here, in the present embodiment, when performing the tank cooling operation, the hydrogen pressure in the hydrogen tank 20 is maintained at the pressure at the start of the tank cooling operation. Therefore, when the tank cooling operation is terminated, the operation of filling the hydrogen tank 20 with hydrogen may be resumed from the state where hydrogen having the same pressure as that at the start of the tank cooling operation is filled. Here, when the amount of hydrogen gas recovered is larger than the amount of hydrogen gas supplied during the tank cooling operation, the pressure in the hydrogen tank 20 decreases during the cooling operation, and the hydrogen tank 20 is filled. The amount will decrease. In such a case, when the filling operation is resumed after the tank cooling operation, the temperature in the hydrogen tank 20 rises until the pressure (filling amount) at the time of starting the previous tank cooling operation is restored. A part of the effect of lowering the temperature in the tank due to the operation of the tank cooling operation is lost. In this embodiment, since the pressure in the hydrogen tank 20 is maintained during the tank cooling operation, such waste is not generated, and the extension of the filling time due to the tank cooling operation can be suppressed.

  Further, as described above, when the hydrogen tank 20 is filled with hydrogen, the reliability of the operation for suppressing an undesired temperature rise in the hydrogen tank 20 is increased, whereby the internal temperature of the hydrogen tank 20 is increased in the hydrogen supply device 18. Therefore, a special configuration for suppressing the increase in the size is unnecessary, or an effect of downsizing can be obtained. Specifically, in the hydrogen supply device 18, the cooler 54 for cooling the hydrogen gas prior to the supply to the vehicle 15 can be reduced in size or can be made unnecessary. Thus, by suppressing the dependence on the cooler 54, the configuration of the hydrogen supply device 18 can be simplified, and the energy required for cooling the hydrogen gas can be reduced or eliminated. By reducing the size of the cooler 54 or making it unnecessary, the temperature of the hydrogen gas supplied to the vehicle 15 becomes relatively high. However, the hydrogen gas having a temperature lower than that of the hydrogen gas heated by filling the hydrogen tank 20. Can be supplied to the hydrogen tank 20. Thereby, the same effect of cooling the hydrogen tank 20 by replacing the heated gas in the hydrogen tank 20 can be obtained.

  In addition, in order to implement | achieve the structure of the hydrogen filling system 10 of a present Example, piping for collect | recovering hydrogen gas from the hydrogen tank by the side of a vehicle is provided in each conventional hydrogen supply apparatus (hydrogen station). It is only necessary to provide a connection pipe that can be connected to the opening 25 of the hydrogen gas return passage 24 in the vehicle. Therefore, it can be easily realized by a relatively small configuration change in each hydrogen station, and no special infrastructure is required.

  Further, as described above, in this embodiment, when the internal temperature of the hydrogen tank 20 reaches the reference temperature when the hydrogen gas is filled in the hydrogen tank 20, the heated hydrogen gas inside the hydrogen tank 20 is supplied from the outside. Since the low-temperature hydrogen gas to be replaced is replaced, an excessive increase in the internal temperature of the hydrogen tank 20 can be suppressed without depending on the heat radiation from the hydrogen tank 20. Therefore, when performing hydrogen filling, it is not necessary to secure a time for heat dissipation, and the hydrogen filling operation can be completed within a shorter time. Therefore, the time required for refueling the vehicle 15 can be shortened, and the convenience when using the vehicle 15 is improved. Particularly, an all-composite tank including a resin liner and a CFRP reinforcing layer such as the hydrogen tank 20 has a small amount of heat, and therefore the amount of heat released to the outside is small, so that the inside temperature is easily raised. By applying this configuration, a remarkable effect of suppressing the temperature rise can be obtained.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, in order to suppress the temperature rise in the hydrogen tank 20, hydrogen gas is used as a refrigerant for cooling the hydrogen tank 20, and the cooled hydrogen gas is directly supplied into the hydrogen tank 20. . Thus, since the refrigerant is directly supplied into the hydrogen tank 20, the temperature in the hydrogen tank 20 can be efficiently suppressed. Further, by using hydrogen gas as the refrigerant, the used refrigerant does not affect the hydrogen gas stored in the hydrogen tank 20 and causes no inconvenience. Therefore, there is no need to separately form a refrigerant flow path in the hydrogen tank or to remove the refrigerant supplied to the hydrogen tank, and the complexity of the internal structure of the hydrogen tank due to cooling of the hydrogen tank can be suppressed. . In addition, since the complexity of the structure of the hydrogen tank can be suppressed in this way, the manufacturing process of the hydrogen tank can be simplified.

  In this embodiment, information related to the start of the hydrogen filling operation is detected by the connection sensor 31 provided in the connector receiving portion 30 on the vehicle 15 side, and wireless communication is performed between the vehicle 15 and the hydrogen supply device 18. Thus, the control unit 58 on the hydrogen supply device 18 side is informed to open the on-off valve 57 on the hydrogen supply device 18 side. However, a different configuration may be used. For example, information related to the start of the hydrogen filling operation detected by the connection sensor 31 may be transmitted from the vehicle 15 to the hydrogen supply device 18 by wire. In this case, for example, a signal line is provided between the control unit 38 and the connector receiving unit 30 in the vehicle 15, and a signal line is provided between the control unit 58 and the connector 68 in the hydrogen supply device 18. The signal lines may be connected at the same time when the connector 68 is connected. Alternatively, a connection sensor may be provided in the connector 68 of the hydrogen supply device 18 to open the on-off valve 57 of the hydrogen supply device 18 without communicating with the vehicle 15.

  Further, in the vehicle 15 of the embodiment, both the first hydrogen gas filling path 22 and the first hydrogen gas return path 24 are connected at the end of the hydrogen tank 20 on the valve 46 side. Also good. For example, the first hydrogen gas filling path 22 and the first hydrogen gas return path 24 may be connected to opposite ends of the hydrogen tank 20, respectively. In this way, by arranging the outlet through which the heated hydrogen gas is discharged and the inlet through which the cooled hydrogen gas flows in at opposite ends, the efficiency of lowering the temperature in the hydrogen tank 20 is further increased. be able to.

C. Second embodiment:
In the first embodiment, in the tank cooling operation, the pressure in the hydrogen tank 20 is maintained at the pressure at the start of the tank cooling operation. However, a different configuration may be used. Hereinafter, as a second embodiment, more hydrogen gas than the amount of hydrogen gas recovered from the hydrogen tank 20 is supplied to the hydrogen tank 20 during the tank cooling operation, and the hydrogen tank 20 is also supplied during the tank cooling operation. A configuration for continuing the hydrogen filling will be described.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory view schematically showing a schematic configuration of the hydrogen filling system 110 of the second embodiment. The hydrogen filling system 110 has the same configuration as the hydrogen filling system 10 of the first embodiment, except that a hydrogen supply device 118 is provided instead of the hydrogen supply device 18 of FIG. Therefore, the same reference numerals are given to the components common to the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof is omitted. The hydrogen supply device 118 is different from the hydrogen supply device 18 in that the second hydrogen gas filling path 62 does not have a branch path and the flow path switching valve 51 and the regulator 53 are not provided.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation process for replenishing the vehicle 15 with hydrogen from the hydrogen supply device 118. In the process diagram shown in FIG. 6, as in FIG. 3, human operations on the vehicle 15 and the hydrogen supply device 118, processes executed by each unit such as the control unit 38 in the vehicle 15, and the hydrogen supply device 118 The processing executed by the control unit 58 is also shown continuously. In FIG. 6, process steps similar to those in FIG. 3 are given process numbers obtained by adding 200 to the process numbers of the corresponding processes in FIG. 3, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

  In the second embodiment, the process from step S300 to step S350 is substantially the same as the process from step S100 to step S150 in FIG. However, since the hydrogen supply device 118 of the second embodiment does not include the flow path switching valve 51 and the regulator 53 as described above, in step S330, no drive signal is output to the flow path switching valve 51, and the opening / closing is not performed. A drive signal is output from the control unit 58 only to the valve 57 and the flow rate adjustment valve 52.

  In step S350, when the control unit 38 determines that the hydrogen tank 20 is not full, the control unit 38 next determines whether or not the pressure in the hydrogen tank 20 exceeds the maximum reference pressure (step S382). ). In the present embodiment, a plurality of reference pressures lower than the pressure reached at the time of full filling are preset and stored in the control unit 38 according to the capacities of the various hydrogen tanks 20 acquired in step S320. In step S382, it is determined whether the tank pressure has exceeded a maximum value among the plurality of preset reference pressures. In this embodiment, the maximum value of the reference pressure is the maximum reference pressure P2.

  When it is determined in step S382 that the tank pressure does not exceed the maximum reference pressure P2, the control unit 38 selects the reference pressure (step S384). In step S384, the smallest reference pressure that is equal to or higher than the tank pressure acquired in step S340 is selected from the plurality of preset reference pressures. The following description will be given with the reference pressure selected in step 384 as the reference pressure P1.

  Next, the control unit 38 determines whether or not the pressure in the hydrogen tank 20 has reached the reference pressure P1 selected in step S384 (step S386). If the tank pressure acquired in step S340 is equal to the reference pressure P1 selected in step S384, it is immediately determined that the reference pressure P1 has been reached. When it is determined in step S386 that the reference pressure P1 has not been reached, the control unit 38 acquires the tank pressure and the tank temperature Ta from the pressure sensor 36 and the temperature sensor 34 again (step S388). Then, the operations of Step S388 and Step S386 are repeated until the tank pressure reaches the set reference pressure P1.

  When it is determined in step S386 that the tank pressure has reached the selected reference pressure P1, the control unit 38 determines whether or not the tank temperature Ta detected most recently in step S340 or step S388 is equal to or higher than the reference temperature. To do. In this embodiment, a reference temperature is set in advance according to each of the plurality of reference pressures described above and stored in the control unit 38. In step S390, the reference temperature is set according to the reference pressure P1 selected in step S384. Comparison with the reference temperature is performed. The reference temperature used in step S390 is predicted to exceed the upper limit when the tank pressure is full when the tank temperature continues to rise by continuing the hydrogen filling operation. The temperature is set for each reference pressure. In this embodiment, the reference temperature set corresponding to the reference pressure P1 is set as the reference temperature 3.

  FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing changes in the temperature in the hydrogen tank 20 and the pressure in the hydrogen tank 20 when the hydrogen tank 20 is filled with hydrogen in the hydrogen filling system 110 of the present embodiment. FIG. 7 also shows the open / close state of the open / close valve 32 of the first hydrogen gas return channel 24. FIG. 7 shows a state where the empty hydrogen tank 20 is fully filled. When the filling of hydrogen gas is started, the on-off valve 32 of the first hydrogen gas return channel 24 is closed. At this time, the pressure and temperature in the hydrogen tank 20 increase with the supply of hydrogen gas to the hydrogen tank 20. In this manner, the state in which the tank pressure and the tank temperature rise and the tank pressure reaches the reference pressure P1 and the tank temperature reaches the reference temperature T3 at this time is represented as a period A in FIG.

  If it is determined in step S390 that the internal temperature Ta of the hydrogen tank 20 is equal to or higher than the reference temperature T3, the control unit 38 determines that the tank temperature is equal to or higher than the reference temperature T3 when the tank pressure reaches the reference pressure P1. Is transmitted to the control unit 58 of the hydrogen supply device 18 via communication between the antenna unit 37 and the antenna unit 59 (step S400). And the control part 38 opens the on-off valve 32 by outputting a drive signal to the on-off valve 32, and the control part 58 adjusts the flow regulating valve 52 (step S410).

  In this way, by opening the on-off valve 32, a part of the hydrogen gas stored in the hydrogen tank 20 passes through the first hydrogen gas return channel 24 and the second hydrogen gas return channel 63. Supplyed to the buffer tank 55, the tank cooling operation is started. Here, in the second embodiment, the on-off valve 32 functions as a flow rate adjusting valve, and the opening degree of the on-off valve 32 is a constant amount of hydrogen gas supplied from the hydrogen tank 20 to the hydrogen supply device 118 side. It is adjusted to become. Also, in the second embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, hydrogen gas having an amount greater than or equal to the amount of hydrogen gas recovered to the hydrogen supply device 118 side is supplied to the hydrogen tank 20 via the gas return flow path. The flow rate adjustment valve 52 is adjusted by the control unit 58 so as to continue. As described above, the hydrogen tank 20 is continuously filled with hydrogen while a part of the hydrogen in the hydrogen tank 20 is collected on the hydrogen supply device 118 side, so that the degree of increase in the tank pressure and the tank temperature can be reduced. It becomes more gentle until. In this way, the state after the tank cooling operation is started is represented as period B in FIG. In FIG. 7, when the tank pressure reaches the reference pressure P1, the tank temperature has just reached the reference temperature T3. However, if the tank temperature is equal to or higher than the reference temperature T3, the same control is performed.

  After starting the tank cooling operation in step S410, the control unit 38 returns to step S340 again, and repeats the processing after step S340. If it is determined in step S350 that it is not full, in step S384, a reference pressure P2 that is a reference pressure higher than the previously selected reference pressure P1 is selected. In step S390, it is determined whether or not the tank temperature is equal to or higher than a reference temperature T4 determined corresponding to the reference pressure P2. If it is determined in step S390 that the tank temperature is equal to or higher than the reference temperature T4, communication is performed between the vehicle 15 and the hydrogen supply device 118 (step S400), and then hydrogen is supplied from the hydrogen tank 20 in step S410. The drive control for the on-off valve 32 is changed so that the amount of hydrogen gas recovered toward the apparatus 118 is further increased. In this way, by further increasing the amount of hydrogen recovered from the hydrogen tank 20, the degree of increase in tank pressure and tank temperature becomes more gradual than before. When the tank pressure reaches the reference temperature T4 when the tank pressure reaches the reference pressure P2, the state after the control for increasing the amount of hydrogen gas recovered from the hydrogen tank 20 is started as described above. In FIG. 7, this is expressed as a period C.

  After starting the control to increase the amount of hydrogen gas recovered from the hydrogen tank 20 in step S410, the control unit 38 returns to step S340 again and repeats the processing from step S340 onward. In this embodiment, the reference pressure P2 is the maximum value among the set reference pressures. Therefore, after it is determined in step S350 that the tank is not full, it is determined in step S382 that the tank pressure has exceeded the maximum reference pressure. In this case, the control unit 38 repeats the processes in steps S340, S350, and S382 until it is determined in step S350 that the battery is full.

  When it is determined in step S350 that the hydrogen tank 20 is full, information indicating that the hydrogen tank 20 is full is sent from the vehicle 15 to the control unit 58 of the hydrogen supply device 118 via the antenna unit 37 and the antenna unit 59. Is transmitted (step S360). When information indicating that the hydrogen tank 20 is fully filled is transmitted, the control unit 58 outputs a drive signal to the on-off valve 57 to close it (step S370). Thereby, supply of hydrogen gas from the hydrogen gas storage unit 50 is stopped. Thereafter, the connector 68 is removed from the connector receiving portion 30 (step S380), and the hydrogen filling operation is completed.

  If it is determined in step S390 that the internal temperature Ta has not reached the reference temperature T3 when the reference temperature T3 set for the reference pressure P1 is compared with the internal temperature Ta, the control unit 38 Since the process returns to step S340, the tank cooling operation is not performed even when the internal pressure exceeds the reference pressure P1. At this time, in step S384 to be executed later, the reference pressure is set to the reference pressure P2, and in step S390, the tank temperature Ta and the reference temperature T4 are compared. If the tank temperature Ta is equal to or higher than the reference temperature T4 when the tank pressure reaches the reference pressure P2, the tank cooling operation is started for the first time. Further, even when the tank cooling operation is started because the tank temperature Ta has reached the reference temperature T3 when the tank pressure has reached the reference pressure P1, the tank pressure has reached the reference pressure P2. If the tank temperature Ta does not reach the reference temperature T4, control for increasing the amount of hydrogen gas recovered is not performed.

  According to the hydrogen filling system 110 of the second embodiment configured as described above, when the internal temperature Ta of the hydrogen tank 20 reaches the reference temperature, a part of the heated hydrogen in the hydrogen tank 20 is hydrogenated. Since the supply of the cooled hydrogen gas to the hydrogen tank 20 is continued while being recovered from the tank 20, the internal temperature Ta of the hydrogen tank 20 can be suppressed from reaching an undesirably high temperature as in the first embodiment. The effect is obtained. That is, in the same manner as in the first embodiment, the amount of hydrogen gas returned from the hydrogen tank to the hydrogen supply device side is made equal to or less than the amount of hydrogen gas supplied from the hydrogen supply device to the hydrogen tank. Can be cooled.

  Here, in this embodiment, when the tank cooling operation is performed, the operation of increasing the hydrogen pressure in the hydrogen tank 20 is continued. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress a delay in the hydrogen filling operation due to the operation of collecting the hydrogen gas in the hydrogen tank 20. Also, a plurality of reference pressures and reference temperatures corresponding to a state where the filling amount is smaller than the full filling can be prepared for the hydrogen tank 20, and the amount of hydrogen gas recovered from the hydrogen tank 20 can be increased stepwise. Since it becomes possible, it can suppress that the amount of hydrogen gas collect | recovered from the hydrogen tank 20 increases more than needed, and can suppress the fall of the hydrogen filling efficiency resulting from a tank cooling driving | operation.

  In the second embodiment, two types of reference pressure and reference temperature for making a determination related to the tank cooling operation are prepared in advance, but may be three or more. Alternatively, a single reference pressure and reference temperature may be used. It is possible to suppress the tank temperature Ta from reaching the upper limit value until the full filling is reached by making a determination related to the tank cooling operation during the filling and performing the tank cooling operation as necessary. However, providing more reference points for determination can increase the reliability of the operation for suppressing the tank temperature from reaching the upper limit value until the tank is fully filled.

  In the second embodiment, the determination related to the tank cooling operation is performed based on the combination of the reference pressure of the tank pressure and the reference temperature of the tank temperature Ta, but a different configuration may be used. Similar control can be performed by using a combination of a value reflecting the filling rate in the hydrogen tank 20 and a reference temperature corresponding thereto. For example, the filling rate itself in the hydrogen tank 20 may be obtained from the tank pressure and the tank temperature Ta, and the determination related to the tank cooling operation may be performed by a combination of the filling rate and the corresponding reference temperature.

  In the second embodiment, if the tank temperature Ta is equal to or higher than the reference temperature determined according to the tank pressure (or tank filling rate), a smaller amount of hydrogen gas than the amount of hydrogen gas supplied to the hydrogen tank 20 is used. Although the hydrogen tank 20 is returned to the hydrogen supply device 118 side, the same amount of hydrogen gas as that supplied to the hydrogen tank 20 may be returned in the same manner as in the first embodiment. In this case, for example, for each tank pressure (or tank filling rate), a lower reference temperature is set as the tank pressure (tank filling rate) is lower. If the tank temperature Ta is equal to or higher than the reference temperature, A tank cooling operation may be performed. Then, after the start of the tank cooling operation, when the tank temperature Ta falls to a reference temperature lower than each of the reference temperatures, the tank cooling operation may be stopped.

D. Variation:
The present invention is not limited to the above-described examples and embodiments, and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the gist thereof. For example, the following modifications are possible.

D1. Modification 1:
In the first and second embodiments, whether or not to perform the tank cooling operation or whether or not to increase the hydrogen gas return amount is determined based on the actually measured tank temperature Ta, but different configurations may be employed. For example, when the internal temperature of the hydrogen tank 20 at the end of hydrogen filling is predicted and it is determined that the internal temperature of the hydrogen tank 20 exceeds a reference value at the time of full filling, a part of the hydrogen gas is recovered from the hydrogen tank 20 The tank cooling operation can be performed. The prediction of the internal temperature of the hydrogen tank 20 at the end of hydrogen filling is, for example, a map for obtaining the internal temperature of the hydrogen tank 20 at the time of full filling based on the internal temperature of the hydrogen tank 20 and the filling rate of the hydrogen tank 20. It can be created in advance and stored in the control unit 38, with reference to this map. Since the capacity of the hydrogen tank 20 is determined in advance, the internal temperature of the hydrogen tank 20 as an initial condition when the hydrogen gas filling speed, that is, the flow rate of the hydrogen gas supplied from the hydrogen supply device 18 is constant. And the filling rate of the hydrogen tank 20 can accurately predict the internal temperature of the hydrogen tank 20 at the time of full filling. The internal temperature of the hydrogen tank 20 and the filling rate of the hydrogen tank used when referring to the map can be obtained based on the detection signals acquired from the pressure sensor 36 and the temperature sensor 34 in step S140. Further, at this time, a correction in consideration of heat radiation from the hydrogen tank 20 may be performed using the detected value of the outside air temperature. When the predicted value of the internal temperature of the hydrogen tank 20 at the time of full filling obtained by referring to the map exceeds the reference value, for example, the tank cooling operation is performed for a predetermined period of time to actually fill the tank. In this case, the internal temperature of the hydrogen tank 20 can be kept lower than the reference value. If a map corresponding to a filling amount smaller than full filling is also prepared as a map of the internal temperature of the hydrogen tank 20 at the end of hydrogen filling, hydrogen filling is performed with an amount smaller than full filling as a target value. At the same time, similar control is possible. Alternatively, the prediction of the internal temperature of the hydrogen tank 20 at the time of full filling may be theoretically performed based on thermodynamic calculation.

D2. Modification 2:
In the first and second embodiments, the detection signals of the temperature sensor 34 and the pressure sensor 36 of the hydrogen tank 20 are acquired by the control unit 38 on the vehicle 15 side, and it is necessary to control the valves and the like on the hydrogen supply device side In addition, although communication is performed between the vehicle 15 and the hydrogen supply device, different configurations may be employed. For example, the detection signal of each sensor is transmitted to the hydrogen supply device side by communication each time, and all the determinations related to the control of each part are performed in the control unit 58 of the hydrogen supply device, and the control unit 58 drives the vehicle 15 It is good also as sending a signal. If the same determination as in the embodiment is performed and a similar operation is performed, a part or all of the processing related to the determination may be shared between the vehicle 15 side and the hydrogen supply device side.

  In the first and second embodiments, the on-off valve 57 and the flow rate adjustment valve 52 that control the operation of filling the hydrogen into the hydrogen tank 20 are provided on the hydrogen supply device side, and the operation of recovering hydrogen from the hydrogen tank 20 is performed. The on-off valve 32 to be controlled is provided on the vehicle 15 side, but it may be configured differently. The on-off valve 57 and the flow rate adjusting valve 52 that control the operation of filling the hydrogen into the hydrogen tank 20 may be provided at any location in the hydrogen gas filling paths 22 and 62, and the operation of recovering hydrogen from the hydrogen tank 20. The on-off valve 32 that controls the above may be provided at any one of the hydrogen gas return flow paths 24 and 63.

  In the first and second embodiments, the hydrogen tank 20 is composed of a single tank, but may be composed of a plurality of tanks. In the case of providing a plurality of tanks, for example, a plurality of tanks may be connected in parallel so that hydrogen is consumed in the same manner and filled with hydrogen in the same manner. In addition, a plurality of tanks may be used sequentially when consuming hydrogen gas, and when filling the hydrogen tank, it may be filled only into a tank whose filling amount has decreased.

  In the first and second embodiments, the hydrogen tank 20 mounted on the vehicle 15 is a hydrogen gas cylinder that stores high-pressure hydrogen gas, but may have a different configuration. For example, a hydrogen tank having a hydrogen storage alloy therein may be used. In a hydrogen tank including a hydrogen storage alloy, hydrogen can be stored by storing hydrogen in the hydrogen storage alloy, and hydrogen gas can be stored as a compressed gas in a space between the inner wall of the hydrogen tank and the hydrogen storage alloy. Since the hydrogen storage alloy generally generates heat when storing hydrogen, when filling such a hydrogen tank with hydrogen, in addition to the heat generated by so-called adiabatic compression, the heat generated by the hydrogen storage alloy storing hydrogen, The temperature in the hydrogen tank rises. Even when such a hydrogen tank is used, for example, depending on the temperature in the hydrogen tank, a part of the heated hydrogen gas in the hydrogen tank is recovered and the hydrogen gas is supplied at a lower temperature than the hydrogen gas in the tank. By continuing the above, it is possible to obtain the same effect of suppressing the temperature rise in the hydrogen tank.

D3. Modification 3:
In the embodiment, the vehicle 15 on which the hydrogen tank 20 is mounted is an electric vehicle on which a fuel cell is mounted as a driving power source, but may have a different configuration. For example, the present invention can also be applied when hydrogen gas is replenished to a hydrogen tank provided in a vehicle equipped with a hydrogen engine as a driving power source. In addition, the present application is widely applied in a system for replenishing hydrogen to a mobile body that may be a mobile body other than a vehicle and that is equipped with a hydrogen tank that stores hydrogen as an energy source for generating drive energy. Is possible.

  Further, it is possible to adopt a configuration other than replenishing hydrogen to a hydrogen tank mounted on the moving body. For example, the present invention may be applied to a case where a single hydrogen tank that is not mounted on a moving body is filled with hydrogen gas from a hydrogen gas supply device. Even in such a case, it is possible to obtain a similar effect of improving the reliability of the operation for suppressing the temperature increase in the hydrogen tank during hydrogen filling.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10,110 ... Hydrogen filling system 15 ... Vehicle 18, 118 ... Hydrogen supply device 19 ... Connection piping 20 ... Hydrogen tank 22 ... 1st hydrogen gas filling path 23, 25 ... Opening 24 ... 1st hydrogen gas return flow path 26 ... Fuel supply path 30 ... Connector receiving part 31 ... Connection sensor 32 ... On-off valve 33 ... Check valve 34 ... Temperature sensor 36 ... Pressure sensor 37, 59 ... Antenna part 38 ... Control part 40 ... Liner 42 ... Reinforcement layer 44 ... Base 45 , 46 ... Valve 50 ... Hydrogen gas storage unit 51 ... Flow path switching valve 52 ... Flow rate adjustment valve 53 ... Regulator 54 ... Cooler 55 ... Buffer tank 56 ... Compressor 57 ... Open / close valve 58 ... Control unit 60, 61 ... Opening 62 ... Second hydrogen gas filling path 63 ... Second hydrogen gas return flow path 64 ... First branch path 65 ... Second branch path 66 ... Hydrogen gas recovery path 68 ... Connector

Claims (19)

A hydrogen filling system for replenishing hydrogen gas from a hydrogen filling device to a hydrogen tank,
A hydrogen gas filling path for connecting the hydrogen filling device side and the hydrogen tank to supply hydrogen gas to the hydrogen tank;
A hydrogen gas return flow path for communicating the hydrogen tank and the hydrogen filling device side to guide the hydrogen gas in the hydrogen tank to the hydrogen filling device side;
An on-off valve provided in the hydrogen gas return flow path, allowing the hydrogen gas in the hydrogen tank to flow into the hydrogen filling device side by opening the valve, and closing the valve to close the hydrogen tank An on-off valve that suppresses the inflow of hydrogen from the hydrogen filling device to
When supplying hydrogen from the hydrogen filling device to the hydrogen tank, if the hydrogen tank corresponds to a preset high temperature state, the supply of hydrogen gas through the hydrogen gas filling path is continued. And a return state switching control section for switching the on-off valve from the closed state to the open state. The hydrogen filling system of claim 1, further comprising:
A temperature sensor for detecting the temperature in the hydrogen tank;
The return state switching control unit determines that the high temperature state is satisfied when the temperature in the hydrogen tank detected by the temperature sensor exceeds a predetermined hydrogen return reference temperature. The hydrogen filling system according to claim 2,
When the return state switching control unit opens the on-off valve, the flow rate of hydrogen gas flowing from the hydrogen tank to the hydrogen filling device side through the hydrogen return flow path passes through the hydrogen gas filling path. Equal to the hydrogen gas flow rate supplied to the hydrogen tank from the hydrogen filling device side,
The return state switching control unit opens the on-off valve when the temperature in the hydrogen tank becomes equal to or lower than a return stop reference temperature that is lower than the hydrogen return reference temperature after opening the on-off valve. A hydrogen filling system that closes the valve. The hydrogen filling system according to claim 3,
The hydrogen filling device includes a high-pressure storage unit that stores the hydrogen gas at a higher pressure than when the hydrogen tank is fully filled,
The hydrogen gas filling path is:
A regulator allowing the supply of hydrogen gas in a state where the downstream pressure connected to the hydrogen tank is constant;
A branch path for guiding the hydrogen gas flowing through the hydrogen gas filling path to bypass the regulator;
A switching valve that switches a path through which the hydrogen gas flows between a path that passes through the regulator and a path that passes through the branch path;
With
The hydrogen filling system further includes:
Supply that drives the switching valve so that hydrogen gas passes through the branch path when the on-off valve is closed, and hydrogen gas passes through the regulator when the on-off valve is open A hydrogen filling system including a flow path switching control unit. The hydrogen filling system of claim 2, further comprising:
A filling amount detection unit for detecting a value reflecting the filling amount in the hydrogen tank;
When the value reflecting the filling amount in the hydrogen tank detected by the filling amount detection unit reaches a reference value corresponding to a filling amount smaller than full filling, the return state switching control unit A hydrogen filling system that opens the on-off valve when the detected temperature in the hydrogen tank exceeds the hydrogen return reference temperature determined according to the reference value. The hydrogen filling system according to claim 5,
When the return state switching control unit opens the on-off valve, the flow rate of hydrogen gas flowing from the hydrogen tank to the hydrogen filling device side through the hydrogen return flow path passes through the hydrogen gas filling path. The hydrogen filling system is less than the flow rate of hydrogen gas supplied from the hydrogen filling device side to the hydrogen tank. The hydrogen filling system according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The hydrogen filling device includes a cooler that cools hydrogen gas supplied from the hydrogen filling device to the hydrogen tank via the hydrogen gas filling path. A hydrogen filling system according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The hydrogen filling device includes:
A high-pressure storage unit for storing hydrogen gas at a higher pressure than when the hydrogen tank is fully filled;
A buffer tank capable of storing hydrogen gas;
A boosting supply unit that boosts the hydrogen in the buffer tank and supplies the boosted hydrogen to the high-pressure storage unit;
With
The hydrogen gas filling path connects the high-pressure storage unit and the hydrogen tank to guide hydrogen gas from the high-pressure storage unit to the hydrogen tank,
The hydrogen gas return flow path connects the hydrogen tank and the buffer tank, and uses the pressure difference between the hydrogen tank and the buffer tank to supply hydrogen gas from the hydrogen tank to the buffer tank. Leading hydrogen filling system. A hydrogen filling system according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
The hydrogen tank is a tank that is mounted on a moving body and stores hydrogen as a driving fuel for the moving body. A hydrogen filling method for replenishing a hydrogen tank with hydrogen,
A first step of supplying hydrogen gas to the hydrogen tank;
A second step of detecting the internal temperature of the hydrogen tank that is supplied with hydrogen gas;
When supplying hydrogen gas to the hydrogen tank in the first step, if the internal temperature detected in the second step exceeds a predetermined hydrogen return reference temperature, hydrogen gas from the first step A third step of recovering a part of the hydrogen gas filled in the hydrogen tank from the hydrogen tank while continuing to supply the hydrogen. The hydrogen filling method according to claim 10,
The amount of hydrogen gas recovered from the hydrogen tank in the third step is equal to the amount of hydrogen gas supplied to the hydrogen tank in the first step,
The hydrogen filling method further includes:
After starting the operation of recovering hydrogen gas from the hydrogen tank in the third step, the internal temperature detected in the second step is lower than a return stop reference temperature that is lower than the hydrogen return reference temperature. A hydrogen filling method comprising a fourth step of stopping the operation of recovering hydrogen gas from the hydrogen tank when it becomes. The hydrogen filling method according to claim 10, further comprising:
A fourth step of detecting a value reflecting a filling amount in the hydrogen tank;
In the third step, when hydrogen gas is supplied to the hydrogen tank in the first step, a value reflecting the filling amount detected in the fourth step reaches a predetermined reference value. In addition, when the internal temperature detected in the second step exceeds the hydrogen return reference temperature, a part of the hydrogen gas filled in the hydrogen tank while continuing to supply the hydrogen gas in the first step A hydrogen filling method for recovering from the hydrogen tank. The hydrogen filling method according to claim 12, wherein
The hydrogen filling method, wherein the amount of hydrogen gas recovered from the hydrogen tank in the third step is smaller than the amount of hydrogen gas supplied to the hydrogen tank in the first step. The hydrogen filling method according to any one of claims 10 to 13,
The first step includes a step of cooling hydrogen gas prior to supply to the hydrogen tank. The hydrogen filling method according to any one of claims 10 to 14,
The hydrogen tank is a tank that is mounted on a moving body and stores hydrogen as a driving fuel for the moving body. A mobile using hydrogen as an energy source for generating drive energy,
A hydrogen tank for storing hydrogen,
A hydrogen gas filling path that has a first opening that opens to the outside of the movable body, and that guides hydrogen gas from the first opening to the hydrogen tank;
A moving body comprising: a second opening that opens to the outside of the moving body; and a hydrogen gas return channel that guides hydrogen gas from the hydrogen tank to the second opening. The mobile body according to claim 16, wherein
A temperature sensor for detecting the internal temperature of the hydrogen tank;
The hydrogen gas return flow path is provided in the hydrogen gas return flow path to allow the hydrogen gas to flow out of the hydrogen tank via the hydrogen gas return flow path and closes the hydrogen gas return flow path. An on-off valve that suppresses the outflow of hydrogen gas from the hydrogen tank via
When the hydrogen tank is filled with hydrogen gas through the hydrogen gas filling path, the on-off valve is closed when the internal temperature detected by the temperature sensor exceeds a predetermined hydrogen return reference temperature. And a control unit that switches from a state to a valve open state. A hydrogen filling device for replenishing hydrogen to a hydrogen tank that is mounted on a moving body and stores hydrogen as fuel for driving the moving body,
A second opening that communicates with the hydrogen tank and is connectable to a first opening that opens to the outside of the movable body, and is connected to the first opening via the second opening; A hydrogen gas filling path for supplying hydrogen gas,
A fourth opening that communicates with the hydrogen tank and is connectable to a third opening that opens to the outside of the movable body; and from the third opening through the fourth opening, A hydrogen gas return channel to which gas is supplied; and
A connecting pipe provided with the hydrogen gas filling channel and the hydrogen gas return channel inside;
It is provided at an end of the connection pipe, and includes the second opening and the fourth opening, and the arrangement of the second opening and the fourth opening is the first in the movable body. Movable body side engagement provided in the vicinity of the first opening and the third opening on the surface of the movable body. The second opening portion with respect to the first opening portion by engaging the supply device side engaging portion with the movable body side engaging portion. And a connecting portion that can simultaneously realize the connection of the fourth opening to the third opening. A hydrogen filling device for replenishing hydrogen to a hydrogen tank,
A hydrogen gas storage section for storing hydrogen gas at a higher pressure than the fully filled hydrogen tank;
A buffer tank capable of storing hydrogen gas;
One end is connected to the hydrogen gas storage unit, the other end has a first opening, and a hydrogen gas filling path capable of communicating with the hydrogen tank through the first opening;
A hydrogen gas return flow path having one end connected to the buffer tank and having a second opening at the other end and being able to communicate with the hydrogen tank through the second opening;
A hydrogen filling apparatus comprising: a hydrogen gas recovery channel that connects the buffer tank and the hydrogen gas storage unit and supplies the hydrogen gas in the buffer tank to the hydrogen gas storage unit while increasing the pressure.

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