JP2011099468A - Gas filling device and method of filling gas - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a gas filling device and a method of filling gas capable of alleviating the generation of pressure pulses and improving a gas filling ratio when filling fuel gas by adjusting a flow rate of the fuel gas which is supplied from a compressor based on the pressure and the temperature of a gas storage container. <P>SOLUTION: The gas filling device includes: a gas supply source 10 for supplying fuel gas; a compressor 12 for compressing the fuel gas supplied from the gas supply source 10; a fuel gas lead-in line 11 for leading the fuel gas supplied from the gas supply source 10 into the compressor 12; a fuel gas filling line 13 for filling the fuel gas discharged from the compressor 12 in a gas storage container 101; a bypass line 21 for bypassing the fuel gas flowing in the fuel gas filling line 13; and a flow control valve 22 arranged in the bypass line 21 and controlled based on the pressure and the temperature of the gas storage container 101 to adjust a flow rate of the fuel gas flowing in the bypass line 21. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a gas filling device and a gas filling method that are connected to a gas storage container of a fuel supply body and fill the gas storage container with fuel gas supplied from a fuel gas supply source.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, development of a fuel cell vehicle in which a fuel cell that generates power by an electrochemical reaction between a fuel gas (for example, hydrogen gas or compressed natural gas) and an oxidizing gas (for example, air) is used as an energy source has been advanced. This fuel cell vehicle is equipped with a fuel gas tank (gas storage container), and fuel gas is supplied to the fuel gas tank from a gas filling device (fuel gas station). In this gas filling device, it is desired that the fuel gas tank of the fuel cell vehicle is efficiently filled, and the target gas filling amount is accurately filled in the fuel gas tank at the target filling pressure.

  As such a gas filling device, a fuel gas that has a compressor that compresses gas and a gas supply tank that stores gas compressed by the compressor, and is filled from the gas supply tank into a fuel gas tank of a fuel cell vehicle A gas filling device has been introduced that fills the fuel gas tank directly with fuel gas from the compressor when the amount of filling is small. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  Further, a valve means is disposed in a gas supply line connected to a gas supply tank for storing fuel gas compressed by the compressor, and based on the pressure when the fuel gas tank of the fuel cell vehicle is filled with the fuel gas. A gas filling device is also introduced in which the fuel gas is accurately filled into the fuel gas tank at a target filling pressure and a target gas filling amount by adjusting the opening of the valve means. (For example, refer to Patent Document 2).

  In addition, when the fuel gas tank of the fuel cell vehicle is filled with the gas compressed by the compressor, the pressure of the fuel gas filled in the fuel gas tank is detected, and the detected pressure is detected when the detected pressure is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. As the pressure increases, or as the difference between the detected pressure and the predetermined final filling pressure decreases, the speed of the compressor is gradually reduced to improve fuel gas charging efficiency. A gas filling device is also introduced. (For example, refer to Patent Document 3).

  Furthermore, a hydrogen flow control valve is provided in a hydrogen gas supply line for supplying hydrogen from a metal hydride tank containing metal hydride to the hydrogen engine, and the hydrogen flow control valve is provided in the hydrogen gas supply line. The flow rate of the hydrogen gas flowing through the hydrogen gas supply line is provided only when the accuracy of the flow rate control of the hydrogen gas by the valve is not sufficiently high, and a bypass flow path provided with a solenoid valve used for fine adjustment is provided. By controlling the hydrogen flow rate control valve and, in some cases, the electromagnetic valve so as to directly match the target value, the response of hydrogen gas generation by the metal hydride tank is improved. A hydrogen supply system is also introduced. (For example, refer to Patent Document 4).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-100888 JP-A-8-100951 JP 2000-230700 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-10211

  By the way, when the fuel gas tank of the fuel cell vehicle is filled with the fuel gas from the gas filling device, it is desired to shorten the fuel gas filling time as much as possible. One way to meet this requirement is to increase the filling speed of the fuel gas as much as possible. However, as the filling speed increases, the temperature of the fuel gas tank rises accordingly. It is also known that the gas cannot be filled to the target filling amount.

  In the invention according to Patent Document 1, when the amount of fuel gas charged from the gas supply tank to the fuel gas tank is small, the fuel gas tank is directly filled with fuel gas from the compressor, but is supplied from the compressor. Since the fuel gas is distributed and the mechanism for adjusting the filling amount to the fuel gas tank is not provided, all the supplied fuel gas is filled in the fuel gas tank. Therefore, there is a possibility that the filling amount of the fuel gas becomes too large, the temperature of the fuel gas tank rises too much, and the fuel gas cannot be filled up to the target filling amount.

  Further, in the case of a positive displacement compressor, if the rotation speed is constant, the amount of fuel gas that can be supplied (discharged) is also constant. Therefore, a valve disposed in the gas supply line as in the invention according to Patent Document 2 Even if the opening degree of the means is adjusted, the amount of fuel gas charged into the fuel gas tank cannot be changed. Therefore, in this case as well, the supplied fuel gas is filled into the fuel gas tank, the fuel gas filling flow rate increases too much, the temperature of the fuel gas tank rises too much, and the fuel gas is filled to the target filling amount. You may not be able to.

  Therefore, in order to adjust the flow rate of the fuel gas supplied from the compressor, it is conceivable to appropriately stop and restart the filling of the fuel gas into the fuel gas tank. In this case, the pressure at the start and stop of the filling of the fuel gas may be considered. Since the pulsation is generated, if this is repeated, there is a risk that a load is applied to each facility of the gas filling device and the fuel cell vehicle.

  Further, in the invention according to Patent Document 3, the rotation speed of the compressor is gradually decreased as the detected pressure increases or as the difference between the detected pressure and the predetermined final filling pressure decreases. By reducing the pressure increase rate of the fuel gas and mitigating the temperature increase, pressure pulsation occurs each time the rotation speed of the compressor is changed. There is a possibility that load is applied to each facility of the automobile.

  In the invention according to Patent Document 4, the flow rate of hydrogen gas is normally controlled by a hydrogen flow rate control valve disposed in the hydrogen gas supply pipe, and the accuracy of the flow rate control of hydrogen gas by the hydrogen flow rate control valve is controlled. Only when the value is not sufficiently high, the electromagnetic valve disposed in the bypass flow path is used together, and the control is complicated. In addition, the present invention controls the flow rate of the hydrogen gas flowing through the hydrogen gas supply line so as to follow the amount required by the hydrogen engine, so that it has good responsiveness to sudden acceleration or deceleration. It is intended to adjust the hydrogen gas supply amount, and is not related to an apparatus for filling a fuel gas tank of a fuel cell vehicle with fuel gas.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and is supplied from a compressor by monitoring the pressure and temperature of the gas storage container when filling the gas storage container of the fuel supply body with fuel gas. An object of the present invention is to provide a gas filling device and a gas filling method capable of adjusting the flow rate of the fuel gas to reduce the occurrence of pressure pulsation during fuel gas filling and improving the gas filling rate. And

  In order to achieve this object, the present invention is a gas filling device that is connected to a gas storage container of a fuel supply body and fills the gas storage container with the fuel gas, the gas supply source supplying the fuel gas, A compressor for compressing a fuel gas supplied from a gas supply source; a fuel gas introduction line for introducing the fuel gas supplied from the gas supply source into the compressor; and a fuel storage vessel for discharging the fuel gas discharged from the compressor A fuel gas filling line that fills the fuel gas, a bypass line that bypasses the fuel gas filling line and that bypasses the fuel gas that flows through the fuel gas filling line, and a fuel that is disposed in the bypass line and flows through the bypass line A flow rate adjusting mechanism for adjusting a gas flow rate, wherein the flow rate adjusting mechanism is based on the pressure and temperature of the gas storage container. Are have been controlled, there is provided a gas filling apparatus for regulating the flow rate of the fuel gas flowing through the bypass line.

  In the gas filling device having this configuration, the flow rate adjusting mechanism is controlled based on the pressure and temperature of the gas storage container, and the flow rate of the fuel gas flowing through the bypass line is adjusted. A part of the circulating fuel gas can be bypassed to the bypass line. Therefore, the flow rate of the fuel gas filled in the gas storage container can be adjusted without stopping the filling of the fuel gas into the gas storage container. That is, the flow rate adjustment of the fuel gas is performed based on the pressure and temperature of the gas storage container. For example, when the temperature of the gas storage container is a predetermined pressure, the bypass line By increasing the flow rate of the fuel gas flowing through the gas reservoir, the amount of fuel gas filled in the gas storage container is reduced, and the temperature of the gas storage container is lowered, so that the fuel gas can be filled to the target filling amount And the gas filling rate can be improved. Further, since the fuel gas filling flow rate can be adjusted, the generation of pressure pulsation during fuel gas filling can be mitigated.

  Further, the gas filling device according to the present invention has a configuration in which the downstream end of the bypass line is connected to the fuel gas introduction line, and the fuel gas flowing through the fuel gas filling line is bypassed to the fuel gas introduction line. Can do. By comprising in this way, in addition to the said advantage, the said bypassed fuel gas can be again supplied to a compressor, and the said gas storage container can be filled.

  In addition, the gas filling device according to the present invention includes a shut-off mechanism that can shut off the flow of the fuel gas discharged from the compressor downstream of the compressor in the fuel gas filling line, and A downstream end is connected to the downstream side of the shutoff mechanism of the fuel gas filling line, and an animal pressure device is disposed downstream of the flow rate adjusting mechanism of the bypass line, and the fuel gas flowing through the fuel gas filling line is It can have the structure supplied to an animal pressure machine. By comprising in this way, since a part of fuel gas which distribute | circulates the said fuel gas filling line can be bypassed to the said bypass line, and can be stored in the said animal pressure vessel, the filling of the fuel gas to the said gas storage container is carried out The flow rate of the fuel gas filled in the gas storage container can be adjusted without stopping the operation.

  Furthermore, the gas filling device according to the present invention monitors the pressure and temperature of the gas storage container, controls the flow rate adjusting mechanism based on the pressure and temperature, and controls the flow rate of the fuel gas flowing through the bypass line. The control means further comprises a control means for determining whether or not the rate of increase of the pressure and temperature is within a predetermined range, and the rate of increase of the pressure and temperature exceeds an upper limit value of the predetermined range. When it is determined that the fuel gas has been adjusted, the flow rate adjusting mechanism is adjusted to allow the fuel gas to flow through the bypass line. Here, if the pressure and temperature increase rates exceed the upper limits of the predetermined range, the temperature of the gas storage container will rise too much, and in particular, if the temperature exceeds 85 ° C., the filling will be stopped and the fuel will be stopped. The gas cannot be filled to the target filling amount. In the present invention, the fuel gas is bypassed when the pressure and temperature increase rate exceeds an upper limit value within a predetermined range. Therefore, the amount of fuel gas charged in the gas storage container may be reduced. it can. Therefore, the temperature of the gas storage container can be lowered, and the fuel gas can be filled up to the target filling amount.

  The present invention also relates to a gas filling method for filling a gas storage container of a fuel supply body with a fuel gas supplied from a fuel gas supply source, wherein the fuel gas supplied from the fuel gas supply source is converted into a fuel gas. A fuel gas introduction step for introducing the fuel gas into the compressor via the introduction line, a fuel gas filling step for filling the gas storage vessel with the fuel gas discharged from the compressor via the fuel gas filling line, and the inside of the gas storage vessel A pressure / temperature detection step for detecting the pressure and temperature of the fuel, and a portion of the fuel gas flowing through the fuel gas filling line is filled with the fuel gas based on the pressure and temperature detected in the pressure / temperature detection step And a bypass step of bypassing the bypass line to a bypass line branched from the line.

  In the gas filling method including these steps, a part of the fuel gas flowing through the fuel gas filling line is bypassed to the fuel gas introduction line via a bypass line based on the pressure and temperature of the gas storage container. Therefore, the flow rate of the fuel gas filled in the gas storage container can be adjusted without stopping the filling of the fuel gas into the gas storage container. That is, for example, when the gas storage container is at a predetermined pressure and the temperature is higher than a predetermined value, the flow rate of the fuel gas flowing through the bypass line is increased to fill the gas storage container with the fuel gas. By reducing the filling amount and lowering the temperature of the gas storage container, the fuel gas can be filled up to the target filling amount, so that the gas filling rate can be improved. Further, since the fuel gas filling flow rate can be adjusted, the generation of pressure pulsation during fuel gas filling can be mitigated.

  The bypass step may include a step of bypassing the fuel gas bypassed to the bypass line to the fuel gas introduction line. By this step, in addition to the advantages, the bypassed fuel gas can be supplied to the compressor again, and the gas storage container can be filled, so that the fuel gas is not wasted.

  In addition, the bypass step may include a step of storing the fuel gas bypassed to the bypass line in an animal pressure device disposed in the bypass line. By this step, part of the fuel gas flowing through the fuel gas filling line can be bypassed to the bypass line and stored in the animal pressure device, so that the filling of the fuel gas into the gas storage container is stopped. Instead, the flow rate of the fuel gas filled in the gas storage container can be adjusted.

  Furthermore, the bypass step determines whether the pressure and temperature increase rates detected in the pressure / temperature detection step are within a predetermined range, and the pressure and temperature increase rates are within a predetermined range. When it is determined that the upper limit value has been exceeded, a flow rate adjusting step of adjusting the flow rate of the fuel gas flowing through the bypass line can be provided. Thus, the fuel gas filled in the gas storage container is adjusted by adjusting the flow rate of the fuel gas flowing through the bypass line when the pressure and temperature increase rate exceeds the upper limit of a predetermined range. The amount of filling can be reduced. Therefore, since the temperature of the gas storage container can be lowered, the fuel gas can be filled up to the target filling amount.

  According to the present invention, when filling the gas storage container of the fuel supply body with the fuel gas, the flow rate of the fuel gas supplied from the compressor is adjusted by monitoring the pressure and temperature of the gas storage container, It is possible to provide a gas filling device that can alleviate the occurrence of pressure pulsation during fuel gas filling and improve the gas filling rate.

  According to the present invention, when filling the gas storage container of the fuel supply body with the fuel gas, the flow rate of the fuel gas supplied from the compressor is adjusted by monitoring the pressure and temperature of the gas storage container, It is possible to provide a gas filling method capable of alleviating the occurrence of pressure pulsation during fuel gas filling and improving the gas filling rate.

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of a gas filling device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a method of filling a fuel gas into a gas tank using the gas filling device shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the gas filling apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a method of filling a fuel gas into a gas tank using the gas filling device shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of a gas filling device according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a method of filling a fuel gas into a gas tank using the gas filling device shown in FIG.

  Next, a gas filling device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, embodiment described below is the illustration for demonstrating this invention, and this invention is not limited only to these embodiment. Therefore, the present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from the gist thereof.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of a gas filling device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a method of filling a fuel gas into a gas tank using the gas filling device shown in FIG. is there. In the first embodiment, a case where a flow regulating valve (flow regulating valve) is provided as a flow regulating mechanism will be described.

  In the first embodiment, a fuel cell in which a fuel supply body is mounted with a fuel cell that generates power by an electrochemical reaction between a fuel gas (for example, hydrogen gas or compressed natural gas) and an oxidizing gas (for example, air) as an energy source. A case where the vehicle is an automobile (hereinafter referred to as FC vehicle 100) will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the FC vehicle 100 includes a gas storage container 101 that stores fuel gas, a pressure gauge 102 that detects a pressure in the gas storage container 101, and a temperature that detects a temperature in the gas storage container 101. A total of 103 is provided. The data detected by the pressure gauge 102 and the thermometer 103 can be transmitted to the control device 30 of the gas filling device 1 described in detail later.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the gas filling device 1 according to the first embodiment is a device that fills a gas storage container 101 mounted on an FC vehicle 100 with fuel gas, a gas supply source 10 that supplies the fuel gas, A fuel gas introduction line 11 that is connected to the gas supply source 10 and distributes the fuel gas supplied from the gas supply source 10, and a compressor that compresses the fuel gas supplied from the gas supply source 10 via the fuel gas introduction line 11 12, a fuel gas filling line 13 for filling the gas storage container 101 with the fuel gas discharged from the compressor 12, and a part of the fuel gas branched from the fuel gas filling line 13 and flowing through the fuel gas filling line 13 is bypassed And a bypass line 21 to be used.

  The fuel gas filling line 13 includes a shutoff valve 15 capable of shutting off the flow of the fuel gas flowing through the fuel gas filling line 13, and a fuel gas that is disposed downstream of the shutoff valve 15 and flows through the fuel gas filling line 13. A flow meter 16 for measuring the flow rate is provided. A filling nozzle (not shown) is disposed at the downstream end of the fuel gas filling line 13. By connecting this filling nozzle to the fuel supply port of the FC vehicle 100, the fuel gas filling can be started.

  The bypass line 21 is branched upstream of the arrangement position of the shutoff valve 15 of the fuel gas filling line 13, and the downstream end is connected to the fuel gas introduction line 11. The bypass line 21 is provided with a flow control valve 22 that adjusts the flow rate of the fuel gas flowing through the bypass line 21.

  Further, the gas filling device 1 receives data detected by the pressure gauge 102 and the thermometer 103 mounted on the FC vehicle 100, and opens and closes the shutoff valve 15 and controls the flow based on the received pressure and temperature. The control apparatus 30 which controls the opening degree of 22 is provided.

  Next, a specific operation of the gas filling apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. When filling the fuel gas into the FC vehicle 100, first, a filling nozzle (not shown) of the gas filling device 1 is connected to the fuel supply port of the FC vehicle 100 so that fuel gas filling can be started. At this time, the shutoff valve 15 is closed (closed state), and the opening degree of the flow control valve 22 is 0%. Next, it progresses to step S101 and the cutoff valve 15 is opened (it is set as an open state). By this operation, the fuel gas supplied from the gas supply source 10 flows from the fuel gas introduction line 11 to the compressor 12, and the fuel gas discharged from the compressor is stored in the gas from the fuel gas filling line 13 through the shut-off valve 15. The container 101 is filled. The flow rate of the fuel gas flowing through the fuel gas filling line 13 is detected by the flow meter 16. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S102.

  In step S <b> 102, the pressure gauge 102 and the thermometer 103 measure the pressure and temperature in the gas storage container 101, and transmit the measured values to the control device 30. The control device 30 detects the rising speed based on the transmitted pressure and temperature, and proceeds to step S103. In step S103, the control device 30 determines whether or not the pressure and temperature increase rates are within a preset specified range, and the pressure and temperature increase rates are within a preset specified range (step S103). If (S103: YES), the process proceeds to step S104. On the other hand, when the pressure and temperature increase rates exceed the preset specified range (step S103: NO), the process proceeds to step S105.

  In step S104, the control device 30 determines whether or not the fuel gas filling amount in the gas storage container 101 is equal to or larger than a specified value, and the fuel gas filling amount is equal to or larger than the predetermined value (step S104: YES). In this case, the process proceeds to step S110, the shutoff valve 15 is closed, the opening degree of the flow control valve 22 is set to 0%, and the filling is finished. On the other hand, when the filling amount of the fuel gas is less than the specified value (step S104: NO), the process returns to step S102. In the first embodiment, the control device 30 has data indicating the relationship between the pressure and temperature in the gas storage container 101 and the target filling rate of the fuel gas, and the filling amount of the fuel gas is a pressure gauge. By comparing the data and the pressure and temperature in the gas storage container 101 measured by the thermometer 102 and the thermometer 103, it is determined whether or not the fuel gas filling amount is equal to or greater than a specified value.

  In step S105, the control device 30 determines whether or not the pressure and temperature increase rates are equal to or higher than the upper limit of the predetermined range, and the pressure and temperature increase rates are equal to or higher than the upper limit of the predetermined range. (Step S105: YES), the process proceeds to step S106. In step S106, the control device 30 determines whether or not the opening degree of the flow control valve 22 is less than 100%. If the opening degree of the flow control valve 22 is less than 100% (step S106: YES), the process proceeds to step S107, and after increasing the opening degree of the flow control valve 22 by 1%, the process proceeds to step S104. On the other hand, when the opening degree of the flow control valve 22 is 100% (step S106: NO), the process proceeds to step S104.

  Here, when the pressure and temperature increase rate are equal to or higher than the upper limit of the predetermined range, the fuel gas filling flow rate into the gas storage container 101 is excessively increased, so that the temperature of the gas storage container 101 is excessively increased. The gas cannot be filled to the target filling amount. Therefore, when the pressure and temperature increase rate is equal to or higher than the upper limit of the predetermined range set in advance (step S105: YES), the opening degree of the flow control valve 22 is increased and the fuel gas filling line 13 is changed to the bypass line 21. By increasing the flow rate of the fuel gas to be bypassed, the flow rate of the fuel gas filled in the gas storage container 101 is decreased, and the temperature of the gas storage container 101 is lowered to fill the fuel gas to the target filling amount. become able to. In addition, since the fuel gas bypassed by the bypass line 21 is returned to the fuel gas introduction line 11, and is supplied again as fuel gas, fuel gas is not wasted.

  In step S105, when the pressure and temperature increase rates are less than the upper limit of the preset specified range (step S105: NO), the process proceeds to step S108, and the control device 30 determines that the opening degree of the flow control valve 22 is 1. It is judged whether it is more than%. When the opening degree of the flow control valve 22 is 1% or more (step S108: YES), the process proceeds to step S109, the opening degree of the flow control valve 22 is decreased by 1%, and the process proceeds to step S104. On the other hand, when the opening degree of the flow control valve 22 is less than 1% (0% in the first embodiment), the process proceeds to step S102.

  Here, if the increase rate of the pressure and temperature is less than the upper limit of the preset specified range, the filling flow rate of the fuel gas into the gas storage container 101 becomes too small, so the opening of the flow control valve 22 is reduced, By reducing the flow rate of the fuel gas to be bypassed from the fuel gas filling line 13 to the bypass line 21, the flow rate of the fuel gas filled in the gas storage container 101 can be increased, and the fuel gas is filled to the target filling amount. Will be able to.

  Thus, when the gas storage container 101 is filled with the fuel gas, the pressure and temperature of the gas storage container 101 are monitored, and the opening degree of the flow control valve 22 is adjusted based on the rate of increase of the pressure and temperature. Thus, since the flow rate of the fuel gas flowing through the bypass line 21 can be adjusted, the flow rate of the fuel gas supplied to the gas storage container 101 can be adjusted, and the gas storage container 101 can be filled with the fuel gas. The fuel gas can be filled up to the target filling amount without stopping. Therefore, the gas filling rate with respect to the gas storage container 101 can be improved, and the occurrence of pressure pulsation during fuel gas filling can be reduced.

(Embodiment 2)
Next, a gas filling apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of a gas filling device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a method of filling a gas tank with fuel gas using the gas filling device shown in FIG. is there. In the second embodiment, the same members as those described in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. In the second embodiment, a case where a throttle is provided as a flow rate adjusting mechanism will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the gas filling device 2 according to the second embodiment is a device that fills a gas storage container 101 mounted on the FC vehicle 100 with fuel gas, and, similarly to the first embodiment, the gas supply source 10. And a fuel gas introduction line 11, a compressor 12, a fuel gas filling line 13, and a bypass line 21.

  The fuel gas filling line 13 is provided with a first shutoff valve 25 capable of shutting off the flow of the fuel gas flowing through the fuel gas filling line 13, and a flow meter 16 is disposed downstream of the first shutoff valve 25. It is arranged. As in the first embodiment, a filling nozzle (not shown) is provided at the downstream end of the fuel gas filling line 13. By connecting this filling nozzle to the fuel supply port of the FC vehicle 100, the fuel gas Filling can be started.

  The bypass line 21 is branched upstream of the position where the first shutoff valve 25 of the fuel gas filling line 13 is disposed, and the downstream end is connected to the fuel gas introduction line 11. The bypass line 21 is provided with a second shutoff valve 26 that can shut off the flow of the fuel gas flowing through the bypass line 21, and a throttle 27 is disposed downstream of the second shutoff valve 26. It is installed.

  Further, the gas filling device 2 receives data detected by the pressure gauge 102 and the thermometer 103 mounted on the FC vehicle 100, and based on the received pressure and temperature, the first cutoff valve 25 and the second cutoff valve. A control device 30 for controlling opening and closing of the valve 26 is provided.

  Next, a specific operation of the gas filling device 2 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. When filling the FC vehicle 100 with fuel gas, first, a filling nozzle (not shown) of the gas filling device 2 is connected to the fuel supply port of the FC vehicle 100 so that fuel gas filling can be started. At this time, the first cutoff valve 25 and the second cutoff valve 26 are closed. Next, it progresses to step S201 and the 1st cutoff valve 25 is opened. With this operation, the fuel gas supplied from the gas supply source 10 flows from the fuel gas introduction line 11 to the compressor 12, and the fuel gas discharged from the compressor passes through the first shutoff valve 25 from the fuel gas filling line 13. The gas storage container 101 is filled. The flow rate of the fuel gas flowing through the fuel gas filling line 13 is detected by the flow meter 16. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S202.

  In step S <b> 202, the pressure gauge 102 and the thermometer 103 measure the pressure and temperature in the gas storage container 101, and transmit the measured values to the control device 30. The control device 30 detects the rising speed based on the transmitted pressure and temperature, and proceeds to step S202. In step S203, the control device 30 determines whether or not the pressure and temperature increase rates are within a preset specified range, and the pressure and temperature increase rates are within a preset specified range (step S203). If (S203: YES), the process proceeds to step S204. On the other hand, when the pressure and temperature increase rates exceed the preset specified range (step S203: NO), the process proceeds to step S205.

  In step S204, the control device 30 determines whether or not the fuel gas filling amount in the gas storage container 101 is equal to or larger than a specified value, and the fuel gas filling amount is equal to or larger than the predetermined value (step S204: YES). In this case, the process proceeds to step S207, the first cutoff valve 25 and the second cutoff valve 26 are closed, and the filling is finished. On the other hand, when the filling amount of the fuel gas is less than the specified value (step S204: NO), the process returns to step S202. In the second embodiment, it is determined whether or not the filling amount of the fuel gas is equal to or greater than a specified value by the same method as in the first embodiment.

  In step S205, the control device 30 determines whether or not the pressure and temperature increase rates are equal to or higher than the upper limit of the predetermined range, and the pressure and temperature increase rates are equal to or higher than the upper limit of the predetermined range. (Step S205: YES), the process proceeds to Step S206. In step S206, the control device 30 opens the second shut-off valve 26. By this operation, a part of the fuel gas flowing through the fuel gas filling line 13 is bypassed to the bypass line 21, the flow rate is adjusted by the throttle 27, and then returned to the fuel gas introduction line 11. By doing so, the fuel gas can be filled to the target filling amount by reducing the flow rate of the fuel gas filled in the gas storage container 101 and lowering the temperature of the gas storage container 101. In addition, since the fuel gas returned to the fuel gas introduction line 11 is supplied again as the fuel gas, the fuel gas is not wasted.

  In step S205, when the pressure and temperature increase rates are less than the preset upper limit of the specified range (step S205: NO), the process proceeds to step S204.

  As described above, when the gas storage container 101 is filled with the fuel gas, the pressure and temperature of the gas storage container 101 are monitored, and the opening and closing of the second shutoff valve 26 is controlled based on the increase rate of the pressure and temperature. The flow rate of the fuel gas supplied to the gas storage container 101 can be adjusted by adjusting the flow rate of the fuel gas flowing through the bypass line 21 by the throttle 27, and the filling of the fuel gas into the gas storage container 101 is stopped. Without this, the fuel gas can be filled up to the target filling amount. Therefore, the gas filling rate with respect to the gas storage container 101 can be improved, and the occurrence of pressure pulsation during fuel gas filling can be reduced.

(Embodiment 3)
Next, a gas filling apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of a gas filling device according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a method of filling a fuel gas into a gas tank using the gas filling device shown in FIG. is there. In the third embodiment, the same members as those described in the first and second embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. In the third embodiment, a case where a flow regulating valve (flow regulating valve) is provided as the flow regulating mechanism will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the gas filling device 3 according to the third embodiment is a device that fills a gas storage container 101 mounted on the FC vehicle 100 with fuel gas, and includes a gas supply source 10 and a fuel gas introduction line 11. And the compressor 12, the fuel gas filling line 13, and the fuel gas branched from the fuel gas filling line 13, and the first shut-off valve 25 of the fuel gas filling line 13 is disposed in the fuel gas filling line 13. And a bypass line 31 for bypassing downstream of the existing position.

  As in the second embodiment, the fuel gas filling line 13 is provided with a first shutoff valve 25 that can shut off the flow of fuel gas flowing through the fuel gas filling line 13, and downstream of the first shutoff valve 25. Is provided with a flow meter 16. As in the first and second embodiments, a filling nozzle (not shown) is disposed at the downstream end of the fuel gas filling line 13. By connecting this filling nozzle to the fuel supply port of the FC vehicle 100, The fuel gas charging can be started.

  The bypass line 31 is branched upstream of the position where the first shutoff valve 25 in the fuel gas filling line 13 is disposed, and the downstream end is downstream of the position where the first shutoff valve 25 is disposed in the fuel gas filling line 13 (specifically). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, it is connected between the first shutoff valve 25 and the flow meter 16). The bypass line 31 includes a flow control valve 22 that adjusts the flow rate of the fuel gas that flows through the bypass line 31, a stock pressure device 28, and a second gas that can block the flow of the fuel gas that flows through the bypass line 31. The shut-off valve 26 is disposed in order from the upstream side.

  Further, the gas filling device 3 receives data detected by the pressure gauge 102 and the thermometer 103 mounted on the FC vehicle 100, and based on the received pressure and temperature, the first cutoff valve 25 and the second cutoff valve. A control device 30 for controlling the opening and closing of the valve 26 and the opening degree of the flow control valve 22 is provided.

  Next, a specific operation of the gas filling device 3 according to Embodiment 3 will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. When filling the FC vehicle 100 with fuel gas, first, a filling nozzle (not shown) of the gas filling device 3 is connected to the fuel supply port of the FC vehicle 100 so that fuel gas filling can be started. Next, it progresses to step S301, the 1st cutoff valve 25 is closed, the 2nd cutoff valve 26 is opened, and the opening degree of the flow control valve 22 is made into 100%. By this operation, the fuel gas supplied from the gas supply source 10 flows from the fuel gas introduction line 11 to the compressor 12, and the fuel gas discharged from the compressor flows to the bypass line 31 branched from the fuel gas filling line 13. The gas storage container 101 is supplied to the downstream side of the arrangement position of the first shutoff valve 25 of the fuel gas filling line 13 through the flow control valve 22 and the pressure-impressor 28. At this time, the fuel gas stored in the animal pressure device 28 is also discharged from the animal pressure device 28 and filled in the gas storage container 101. The flow rate of the fuel gas flowing through the fuel gas filling line 13 is detected by a flow meter 16. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S302.

  In step S <b> 302, the control device 30 determines whether or not the flow rate of the fuel gas discharged from the compressor 12 is greater than the filling weight charged in the gas storage container 101, and the flow rate of the fuel gas discharged from the compressor 12. However, if it is larger than the filling weight filled in the gas storage container 101 (step S302: YES), the process proceeds to step S303, the first shutoff valve 25 is opened, the second shutoff valve 26 is closed, and the flow control valve 22 is opened. Set the degree to 0%. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S305. On the other hand, when the flow rate of the fuel gas discharged from the compressor 12 is less than the filling weight with which the gas storage container 101 is filled (step S302: NO), the process proceeds to step S304, and the control device 30 controls the gas storage container 101. It is determined whether or not the fuel gas filling amount is greater than or equal to a prescribed value. If the fuel gas filling amount is greater than or equal to the prescribed value (step S304: YES), the process proceeds to step S313. When the filling amount of the fuel gas is less than the specified value (step S304: NO), the process returns to step S302.

  In step S <b> 305, the pressure gauge 102 and the thermometer 103 measure the pressure and temperature in the gas storage container 101, and transmit the measured values to the control device 30. The control device 30 detects the rising speed based on the transmitted pressure and temperature, and proceeds to step S306. In step S306, the control device 30 determines whether or not the pressure and temperature increase rates are within a preset specified range, and the pressure and temperature increase rates are within a preset specified range (step S306). If (S306: YES), the process proceeds to step S307. On the other hand, when the pressure and temperature increase rates exceed the preset specified range (step S306: NO), the process proceeds to step S308.

  In step S307, the control device 30 determines whether or not the fuel gas filling amount in the gas storage container 101 is equal to or larger than a specified value, and the fuel gas filling amount is equal to or larger than the predetermined value (step S307: YES). In this case, the process proceeds to step S313, the first shutoff valve 25 is closed, the opening degree of the flow control valve 22 is set to 0%, and the filling is finished. On the other hand, when the filling amount of the fuel gas is less than the specified value (step S307: NO), the process returns to step S305. In the third embodiment, it is determined by the same method as in the first embodiment whether or not the filling amount of the fuel gas is equal to or greater than a specified value.

  In step S308, the control device 30 determines whether or not the pressure and temperature increase rates are equal to or higher than the upper limit of the predetermined range, and the pressure and temperature increase rates are equal to or higher than the upper limit of the predetermined range. (Step S308: YES), the process proceeds to Step S309. In step S309, the control device 30 determines whether or not the opening degree of the flow control valve 22 is less than 100%. When the opening degree of the flow control valve 22 is less than 100% (step S309: YES), the process proceeds to step S310, and after increasing the opening degree of the flow control valve 22 by 1%, the process proceeds to step S307. On the other hand, when the opening degree of the flow control valve 22 is 100% (step S309: NO), the process proceeds to step S307.

  As described above, when the pressure and temperature increase rates are equal to or higher than the upper limit of the preset specified range (step S308: YES), the opening degree of the flow control valve 22 is increased, and the fuel gas filling line 13 and the bypass line are increased. By increasing the flow rate of the fuel gas bypassed to 31 and storing the fuel gas in the animal pressure device 28, by reducing the flow rate of the fuel gas filled in the gas storage container 101 from the fuel gas filling line 13, The temperature of the gas storage container 101 is lowered, and the fuel gas can be filled up to the target filling amount.

  In step S308, when the pressure and temperature increase rates are less than the upper limit of the preset specified range (step S308: NO), the process proceeds to step S311 and the control device 30 determines that the opening degree of the flow control valve 22 is 1. It is judged whether it is more than%. When the opening degree of the flow control valve 22 is 1% or more (step S311: YES), the process proceeds to step S312 and the opening degree of the flow control valve 22 is decreased by 1%, and the process proceeds to step S307. On the other hand, when the opening degree of the flow control valve 22 is less than 1% (0% in the third embodiment), the process proceeds to step S305.

  As described above, when the pressure and temperature increase rates are less than the upper limit of the predetermined range set in advance (step S308: NO), the opening degree of the flow control valve 22 is reduced, and the fuel gas filling line 13 is connected to the bypass line. By reducing the flow rate of the fuel gas to be bypassed to 31 and increasing the flow rate of the fuel gas filled in the gas storage container 101, the fuel gas can be filled up to the target filling amount.

  Thus, when the gas storage container 101 is filled with the fuel gas, the pressure and temperature of the gas storage container 101 are monitored, and the first cutoff valve 25 and the second cutoff valve are based on the increasing rate of the pressure and temperature. Since the flow rate of the fuel gas stored in the animal pressure device 28 can be adjusted via the bypass line 31 by controlling the opening and closing of the valve 26 and the opening degree of the flow control valve 22, it is supplied to the gas storage container 101. The flow rate of the fuel gas can be adjusted, and the fuel gas can be filled up to the target filling amount without stopping the filling of the fuel gas into the gas storage container 101. Therefore, the gas filling rate with respect to the gas storage container 101 can be improved, and the occurrence of pressure pulsation during fuel gas filling can be reduced. Note that the fuel gas stored in the animal pressure device 28 is filled in the gas storage container 101 in step S301 at the start of the next fuel gas filling, so that the fuel gas is not wasted.

  In addition, although Embodiment 1-3 demonstrated the case where the control apparatus 30 was arrange | positioned in the gas filling apparatuses 1-3, it is not restricted to this, You may arrange | position the control apparatus 30 in the FC vehicle 100. FIG.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 2, 3 ... Gas filling apparatus, 10 ... Gas supply source, 11 ... Fuel gas introduction line, 12 ... Compressor, 13 ... Fuel gas filling line, 15 ... Shut-off valve, 21, 31 ... Bypass line, 22 ... Flow control Valve ... 25 ... 1st shut-off valve, 26 ... 2nd shut-off valve, 28 ... Suction pressure device, 30 ... Control device, 100 ... FC vehicle, 101 ... Gas storage container, 102 ... Pressure gauge, 103 ... Thermometer

Claims (8)

A gas filling device connected to a gas storage container of a fuel supply body and filling the gas storage container with fuel gas,
A gas supply source for supplying fuel gas;
A compressor for compressing the fuel gas supplied from the gas supply source;
A fuel gas introduction line for introducing fuel gas supplied from the gas supply source into the compressor;
A fuel gas filling line for filling the gas storage container with the fuel gas discharged from the compressor;
A bypass line branched from the fuel gas filling line and bypassing the fuel gas flowing through the fuel gas filling line;
A flow rate adjusting mechanism that is disposed in the bypass line and adjusts the flow rate of the fuel gas flowing through the bypass line;
With
The gas flow adjusting device is controlled based on the pressure and temperature of the gas storage container, and adjusts the flow rate of the fuel gas flowing through the bypass line.   The gas filling device according to claim 1, wherein the bypass line has a downstream end connected to the fuel gas introduction line, and bypasses the fuel gas flowing through the fuel gas filling line to the fuel gas introduction line. A downstream of the compressor in the fuel gas filling line is provided with a shut-off mechanism capable of shutting off the flow of the fuel gas discharged from the compressor,
The bypass line has a downstream end connected downstream of the shutoff mechanism of the fuel gas filling line, and a livestock pressure device is disposed downstream of the flow rate adjusting mechanism, and the fuel flowing through the fuel gas filling line The gas filling device according to claim 1, wherein gas is supplied to the animal pressure device. Further comprising control means for monitoring the pressure and temperature of the gas storage container, controlling the flow rate adjusting mechanism based on the pressure and temperature, and adjusting the flow rate of the fuel gas flowing through the bypass line;
The control means determines whether the pressure and temperature increase rates are within a predetermined range, and determines that the pressure and temperature increase rates have exceeded the upper limit value of the predetermined range. The gas filling device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein an adjustment mechanism is adjusted to allow the fuel gas to flow through the bypass line. A gas filling method for filling a fuel gas supplied from a fuel gas supply source into a gas storage container of a fuel supply body,
A fuel gas introduction step of introducing the fuel gas supplied from the fuel gas supply source into the compressor via a fuel gas introduction line;
A fuel gas filling step of filling the gas storage container with the fuel gas discharged from the compressor via a fuel gas filling line;
A pressure / temperature detection step for detecting the pressure and temperature in the gas storage container;
A bypass step of bypassing a part of the fuel gas flowing through the fuel gas filling line to a bypass line branched from the fuel gas filling line based on the pressure and temperature detected in the pressure / temperature detection step;
A gas filling method comprising:   6. The gas filling method according to claim 5, wherein the bypass step includes a step of bypassing the fuel gas bypassed to the bypass line to the fuel gas introduction line.   The gas filling method according to claim 5, wherein the bypass step includes a step of storing the fuel gas bypassed in the bypass line in an animal pressure device disposed in the bypass line.   In the bypass step, it is determined whether the pressure and temperature increase rates detected in the pressure / temperature detection step are within a predetermined range, and the pressure and temperature increase rates are within an upper limit of the predetermined range. The gas filling method according to any one of claims 5 to 7, further comprising a flow rate adjusting step of adjusting a flow rate of the fuel gas flowing through the bypass line when it is determined that the value has exceeded.

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