JP2016133142A - Hydrogen station - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a hydrogen station capable of charging hydrogen gas safely to a plurality of kinds of fuel tanks having different charging pressure specifications without exceeding an upper limit temperature at which a fuel tank of a hydrogen automobile can be safely used.SOLUTION: A hydrogen station comprises: hydrogen gas charging lines 41, 42 which are branched from a rear end 13B of a main charging line 13 where cooled hydrogen gas flows, in which at least one or more lines are arranged for each of different charging pressures and which are used only when hydrogen gas is charged to each of fuel tanks having different charging pressure specifications; automatic opening/closing valves 45, 51 and pressure measuring units 44, 49 arranged at the hydrogen gas charging lines 41, 42; a joint 47 arranged at the rear end of the hydrogen gas charging line 41; a joint 53 arranged at the rear end of the hydrogen gas charging line 42; and a control device 54 for controlling opening/closing of the automatic opening/closing valves 45, 51.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a hydrogen station for filling a fuel tank of a hydrogen automobile with hydrogen gas.

As a next-generation automobile, a fuel cell-equipped vehicle (hereinafter referred to as “hydrogen automobile”) having a fuel tank filled with hydrogen gas as a fuel is being developed. Hydrogen automobiles are considered to be environmentally friendly automobiles that do not emit carbon dioxide, NO _X , SO _X, etc., and only discharge water.

  When refueling, a hydrogen vehicle travels to a hydrogen station that is filled with hydrogen gas (fluid) as its fuel, and replenishes hydrogen gas from the hydrogen station, as with a normal gasoline vehicle.

Patent Document 1 discloses, as an example of a hydrogen station, a hydrogen station that accumulates hydrogen gas at a high pressure with an accumulator and then fills the hydrogen gas with a pressure difference between the accumulator and a fuel tank of a hydrogen automobile. .
The hydrogen station is configured to include a compressor that compresses and accumulates and fills hydrogen gas, a pressure accumulator that temporarily accumulates hydrogen gas at a high pressure, a controller that controls filling of hydrogen gas, and the like.

Currently, as fuel tanks for hydrogen automobiles, there are two types of fuel tanks with different filling pressure specifications, a 35 MPaG filling tank and a 70 MPaG filling tank.
For this reason, in order not to make a mistake in the filling pressure of the fuel tank, in the hydrogen station, a hydrogen gas filling line and joint dedicated to a fuel tank of 35 MPaG specifications, a hydrogen gas filling line and joint dedicated to a fuel tank of 70 MPaG specifications, It is set as the structure which has.
The joint for exclusive use of the fuel tank of 35 MPaG specification is configured to be connectable only to the fuel tank of the 35 MPaG specification, and the joint for exclusive use of fuel tank of 70 MPaG is configured to be connectable only to the fuel tank of 70 MPaG specification. Yes.

Here, a method of filling hydrogen gas into a fuel tank of a hydrogen vehicle using a conventional hydrogen station will be described.
First, the hydrogen gas transported to the hydrogen station by a trailer, a curdle or the like is accumulated in a pressure accumulator to a specified pressure value (for example, 45 MPaG) using a compressor. Next, a hydrogen filling line joint corresponding to the filling pressure (35 MPaG or 70 MPaG) of the fuel tank is connected to a fuel tank (35 MPaG filling tank or 70 MPaG filling tank) of the hydrogen automobile. Thereby, the pressure accumulator of the hydrogen station and the fuel tank are connected by the pipe.
Thereafter, hydrogen gas is filled up to the filling pressure (35 MPaG or 70 MPaG) of the fuel tank specification by flow filling using the pressure difference between the pressure accumulator and the fuel tank or by compression filling with a compressor.

JP 2013-57384 A

Many gases have a lower temperature when expanded near room temperature, but hydrogen gas and helium gas increase in temperature under certain conditions.
For example, in the case of hydrogen gas, the temperature rises when expanded at a temperature higher than -71 ° C.
Therefore, when hydrogen filling is performed from the pressure accumulator to the fuel tank of the hydrogen vehicle using the pressure difference, the temperature of the fuel tank does not become high (in other words, the upper limit temperature at which the fuel tank can be safely used is not exceeded). Like) need to temperature control.

 In recent years, from the viewpoint of shortening the filling time of fuel tanks of hydrogen vehicles and reducing the frequency of hydrogen gas accumulation in the pressure accumulator, the pressure for accumulating hydrogen gas in the pressure accumulator is increased (for example, 82 MPaG). There is.

  If the pressure in the pressure accumulator becomes high when filling hydrogen gas into the fuel tank of a hydrogen automobile, the pressure difference between the accumulator and the fuel tank of the hydrogen automobile will be larger than before, so quick filling will be performed and the fuel will be safely There was a risk of exceeding the upper limit temperature at which the tank can be used (for example, + 85 ° C. when the material of the fuel tank is FRP (fiber reinforced plastic)).

  Therefore, the present invention, when filling hydrogen gas into the fuel tank, without exceeding the upper limit temperature that can safely use the fuel tank of a hydrogen automobile, for a plurality of types of fuel tanks having different filling pressure specifications, An object is to provide a hydrogen station that can be safely filled with hydrogen gas.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, according to the invention according to claim 1, a hydrogen station for filling hydrogen gas into a plurality of types of fuel tanks having different filling pressure specifications, The main filling line through which the hydrogen gas flows during gas filling, and the hydrogen that is provided between the leading end of the main filling line and the rear end of the main filling line, and flows through the main filling line. A cooler for cooling the gas, and at least one or more of the fuel tanks branched from the rear end of the main filling line and provided with different filling pressures, and the hydrogen gas is supplied to each of the fuel tanks having different filling pressure specifications. A plurality of hydrogen gas filling lines used only when filling, an automatic opening / closing valve provided for each of the plurality of hydrogen gas filling lines, and after the automatic opening / closing valve A pressure measuring device provided in each of the plurality of hydrogen gas filling lines located at a position, and a fuel corresponding to the filling pressure specification of the hydrogen gas filling line provided at a rear end of each of the plurality of hydrogen gas filling lines. A joint that can be connected only to a tank, a plurality of the automatic open / close valves, and a plurality of the pressure measuring devices, and based on a pressure measured by the pressure measuring device when the fuel tank is filled with hydrogen gas And a control device for controlling the opening and closing of the plurality of automatic on-off valves.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the control device fills the hydrogen gas from the plurality of fuel tanks when the plurality of hydrogen gas filling lines and the fuel tank are connected. Select one fuel tank, control to fill the selected fuel tank with hydrogen gas, and after filling the hydrogen gas, fill the hydrogen gas next among the plurality of fuel tanks 2. The hydrogen station according to claim 1, wherein one of the other fuel tanks is selected, and control is started to start filling the other fuel tank with hydrogen gas.

  According to the invention of claim 3, the cooler can fill the hydrogen gas into one fuel tank that requires the greatest cooling capacity among the plurality of fuel tanks, and the plurality of the fuel tanks. 3. The hydrogen station according to claim 1, wherein the cooling capacity is set so that the hydrogen gas cannot be charged into two or more of the fuel tanks simultaneously.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the cooler is supplied with a refrigerant for cooling the hydrogen gas flowing through the main filling line, and the control device supplies the coolant to the cooler. The hydrogen station according to claim 3, wherein the supply amount of the refrigerant is controlled.

  According to the invention of claim 5, the fuel tank has a temperature measuring device for measuring the temperature of the fuel tank, and the temperature measuring device continuously sends the measured temperature data to the control device. And the control device stops filling of the hydrogen gas into the fuel tank when the temperature exceeds a preset upper limit temperature. A hydrogen station according to claim 1 is provided.

  According to the present invention, in filling hydrogen gas into a fuel tank, hydrogen gas can be safely supplied to each of a plurality of types of fuel tanks having different filling pressure specifications without exceeding the upper limit temperature at which the fuel tank can be safely used. Can be filled.

It is a distribution diagram showing typically the schematic structure of the hydrogen station concerning an embodiment of the invention.

  Embodiments to which the present invention is applied will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. The drawings used in the following description are for explaining the configuration of the embodiment of the present invention, and the size, thickness, dimensions, etc. of each part shown in the drawings may be different from the actual dimensional relationship of the hydrogen station. is there.

(Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a system diagram schematically showing a schematic configuration of a hydrogen station according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, for convenience of explanation, a hydrogen gas supply source 11 (for example, a trailer or a curdle filled with hydrogen gas) that is not a component of the hydrogen station 10 is illustrated.

  Referring to FIG. 1, the hydrogen station 10 includes a main filling line 13, a compressor 14, automatic opening / closing valves 16, 24, 25, 33, 34, 45, 51, an automatic control valve 17, and a first control valve 17. A bypass line 18, a first accumulator 21, an accumulator pressure measuring device 22, 31, a second bypass line 27, a second accumulator 29, a cooler 35, a refrigerant circulation device 37, Hydrogen gas filling lines 41, 42, pressure measuring devices 44, 49, joints 47, 53, and a control device 54 are included.

  As shown in FIG. 1, in the present embodiment, as an example of the hydrogen station 10, a fuel tank connected to the rear end of the hydrogen gas filling line 41 and having a filling pressure of 70 MPaG (hereinafter, for convenience of explanation) , A joint 47 connected only to the “70 MPaG fuel tank”, and a fuel tank connected to the rear end of the hydrogen gas filling line 42 and having a filling pressure of 35 MPaG specifications (hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the “35 MPaG fuel tank”). ”) And the joint 53 that is connected only.

The main filling line 13 has a front end 13A and a rear end 13B. The leading end 13 </ b> A of the main filling line 13 is connected to the hydrogen gas supply source 11. Hydrogen gas is introduced into the main filling line 13 from the hydrogen gas supply source 11.
The compressor 14 is provided in the main filling line 13 located on the hydrogen gas supply source 11 side. The compressor 14 is electrically connected to the control device 54 and can be controlled by the control device 54.
The compressor 14 compresses the hydrogen gas introduced from the hydrogen gas supply source 11 and then guides the hydrogen gas to the main filling line 13 located on the downstream side of the compressor 14.

The automatic opening / closing valve 16 is provided in the main filling line 13 located at the rear stage of the compressor 14. The automatic opening / closing valve 16 is electrically connected to the control device 54 and can be controlled by the control device 54.
The automatic opening / closing valve 16 is opened mainly when the compressor 14 performs compression filling, because the filling from the first and second pressure accumulators 21 and 29 is not sufficient.
When the automatic open / close valve 16 is opened, hydrogen gas compressed by the compressor 14 is supplied to the downstream side of the automatic open / close valve 16, and when the automatic open / close valve 16 is closed, hydrogen is supplied to the downstream side of the automatic open / close valve 16. Gas supply is stopped.

The automatic control valve 17 is provided in the main filling line 13 located after the automatic opening / closing valve 16. The automatic control valve 17 is electrically connected to the control device 54 and can be controlled by the control device 54.
When the automatic control valve 17 is opened, the hydrogen gas compressed by the compressor 14 (in this case, the state where the automatic opening / closing valve 16 is opened) or the first pressure accumulator 21 is provided downstream of the automatic control valve 17. Of the stored hydrogen gas (in this case, the state where the automatic opening / closing valve 25 is opened), or the hydrogen gas stored in the second pressure accumulator 29 (in this case, the state where the automatic opening / closing valve 34 is opened) Either hydrogen gas is supplied.
When the automatic control valve 17 is closed, the supply of hydrogen gas to the downstream side of the automatic control valve 17 is stopped.

The first bypass line 18 is a line branched from the main filling line 13 located between the compressor 14 and the automatic opening / closing valve 16. The other end of the first bypass line 18 is connected to the main filling line 13 located between the automatic opening / closing valve 16 and the automatic control valve 17. Thereby, the first bypass line 18 bypasses the automatic opening / closing valve 16.
The first pressure accumulator 21 is provided in the first bypass line 18. High pressure hydrogen gas is stored in the first pressure accumulator 21. The pressure in the first pressure accumulator 21 is a high pressure (for example, 82 MPaG).

The pressure accumulator 22 is provided in the first accumulator 21 in a state where the pressure in the first accumulator 21 can be measured. The pressure accumulator pressure measuring device 22 is electrically connected to the control device 54, and transmits data relating to the measured pressure in the first pressure accumulator 21 to the control device 54.
The automatic opening / closing valve 24 is provided in the first bypass line 18 positioned in front of the first pressure accumulator 21. The automatic opening / closing valve 24 is electrically connected to the control device 54 and can be controlled by the control device 54.
When the automatic open / close valve 24 is opened while the automatic open / close valve 16 is closed, hydrogen gas compressed by the compressor 14 is introduced into the first pressure accumulator 21, and the hydrogen gas is introduced into the first pressure accumulator 21. Stored in.

The automatic opening / closing valve 25 is provided in the first bypass line 18 located at the subsequent stage of the first pressure accumulator 21. The automatic opening / closing valve 25 is electrically connected to the control device 54 and can be controlled by the control device 54.
When the automatic opening / closing valve 25 is opened, the hydrogen gas stored in the first pressure accumulator 21 is supplied to the automatic control valve 17 through the main filling line 13. When the automatic open / close valve 25 is closed, the supply of hydrogen gas stored in the first pressure accumulator 21 is stopped.

The second bypass line 27 is a line branched from the first bypass line 18 located between the branch position of the first bypass line 18 and the automatic opening / closing valve 24. The tip of the second bypass line 27 is connected to the first bypass line 18 located between the automatic opening / closing valve 25 and the other end of the first bypass line 18.
As a result, the second bypass line 27 bypasses the automatic opening / closing valves 16, 24, 25 and the first pressure accumulator 21.
The second pressure accumulator 29 is provided in the second bypass line 27. High pressure hydrogen gas is stored in the second pressure accumulator 29. The pressure in the second accumulator 29 is a high pressure (for example, 82 MPaG).

The pressure accumulator 31 is provided in the second accumulator 29 in a state in which the pressure in the second accumulator 29 can be measured. The pressure accumulator 31 is electrically connected to the control device 54, and transmits data related to the measured pressure in the second pressure accumulator 29 to the control device 54.
The automatic opening / closing valve 33 is provided in the second bypass line 27 located in front of the second pressure accumulator 29. The automatic opening / closing valve 33 is electrically connected to the control device 54 and can be controlled by the control device 54.
When the automatic open / close valve 33 is opened while the automatic open / close valve 16 is closed, the hydrogen gas compressed by the compressor 14 is introduced into the second pressure accumulator 29, and the hydrogen gas is supplied to the second pressure accumulator 29. Stored in.

The automatic opening / closing valve 34 is provided in the second bypass line 27 located at the subsequent stage of the second pressure accumulator 29. The automatic opening / closing valve 34 is electrically connected to the control device 54 and can be controlled by the control device 54.
When the automatic opening / closing valve 34 is opened, the hydrogen gas stored in the second pressure accumulator 29 is supplied to the automatic control valve 17 through the first bypass line 18 and the main filling line 13. When the automatic open / close valve 34 is closed, the supply of hydrogen gas stored in the second pressure accumulator 29 is stopped.

The cooler 35 is provided in the main filling line 13 located between the rear end 13 </ b> B of the main filling line 13 and the automatic control valve 17. The cooler 35 accommodates a part of the main filling line 13 and an evaporator 63 which is a part of a refrigerant circulation line 57 described later.
The cooler 35 cools the hydrogen gas flowing through the main filling line 13 with the refrigerant evaporated in the evaporator 63. The cooling capacity of the cooler 35 is determined by the supply amount (flow rate) of the refrigerant flowing through the evaporator 63.
That is, when the supply amount (flow rate) of the refrigerant flowing through the evaporation unit 63 is increased, the cooling capacity of the cooler 35 is increased, and when the supply amount (flow rate) of the refrigerant flowing through the evaporation unit 63 is decreased, the cooling capacity of the cooler 35 is increased. Decreases.

The cooling capacity of the cooler 35 is such that hydrogen gas can be charged into one fuel tank that requires the greatest cooling capacity among the plurality of fuel tanks, and two or more fuels among the plurality of fuel tanks are simultaneously used. The cooling capacity is set so that hydrogen gas cannot be filled into the tank.
In the case of the present embodiment, the cooling capacity of the cooler 35 can be filled with hydrogen gas to one 70 MPaG fuel tank that requires the most cooling capacity, and at the same time, filling the 70 MPaG fuel tank and the 35 MPaG fuel tank with hydrogen gas. Is set to an impossible cooling capacity.

By setting the cooling capacity of the cooler 35 so as to achieve such a cooling capacity, for example, the joint 47 (a joint dedicated to the 70 MPaG fuel tank) and the 70 MPaG fuel tank are connected, and the joint 53 (dedicated to the 35 MPaG fuel tank) And a 35 MPaG fuel tank are connected to each other (that is, a 70 MPaG fuel tank and a 35 MPaG fuel tank are simultaneously connected), and two fuel tanks having different filling pressure specifications are simultaneously filled with hydrogen gas, and Hydrogen gas filling can be automatically stopped when the temperature of any fuel tank exceeds a preset upper limit temperature (upper limit temperature C or upper limit temperature D described later) due to insufficient cooling capacity. In addition, the said upper limit temperature (upper limit temperature C or upper limit temperature D mentioned later) is a temperature equivalent to the upper limit temperature of Claim 5.
That is, the cooler 35 is intentionally or mistakenly filled with hydrogen gas in two different fuel tanks with different filling pressure specifications, thereby preventing the fuel tank from being filled at the wrong pressure in either one. It can function as an emergency stop mechanism.
Furthermore, it is possible to avoid overfilling the 35 MPaG fuel tank with 70 MPaG, which is a pressure higher than 35 MPaG.

As will be described later, since the automatic opening / closing valve 45 is provided in the hydrogen gas filling line 41 and the automatic opening / closing valve 51 is provided in the hydrogen gas filling line 42, the opening / closing of the automatic opening / closing valves 45, 51 is controlled. By doing so, it is possible to suppress that two kinds of fuel tanks having different filling pressure specifications are simultaneously filled with hydrogen gas.
However, for example, when the automatic opening / closing valves 45 and 51 fail and do not operate normally, hydrogen gas is automatically prevented from being supplied simultaneously to fuel tanks having different filling pressure specifications. The cooler 35 can be effectively used as an emergency stop mechanism.

  In the case of having one joint 47 (a joint dedicated to a 70 MPaG fuel tank) and one joint 53 (a joint dedicated to a 35 MPaG fuel tank) as in the present embodiment, the temperature of the 35 MPaG fuel tank can be used safely. Assuming that the capacity of the cooler 35 necessary for filling the hydrogen gas so as not to exceed a possible upper limit temperature (for example, + 85 ° C.) is 1 (reference value), the upper limit at which the temperature of the 70 MPaG fuel tank can be safely used The capacity of the cooler 35 necessary for filling the hydrogen gas so as not to exceed the temperature (for example, + 85 ° C.) is about 1.5 (in other words, 1 of the cooling capacity when filling the 35 MPaG fuel tank with the hydrogen gas). About 5 times).

  Therefore, in this case, the cooling capacity of the cooler 35 is 2.5 (in other words, the cooling capacity of the cooler 35 necessary for filling the 70 MPaG fuel tank with hydrogen gas, and the filling of the 35 MPaG fuel tank with hydrogen gas). If it is equal to or higher than the cooling capacity of the cooler 35 required for the above, hydrogen gas is simultaneously supplied to two fuel tanks (specifically, 35 MPaG fuel tank and 70 MPaG fuel tank) having different filling pressure specifications. It can be filled.

  Therefore, in this case, the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant circulation line 57 is controlled so that the cooling capacity of the cooler 35 is, for example, 1.6 or more and 1.9 or less. The cooler 35 can be used as an emergency stop mechanism that suppresses simultaneous filling of hydrogen gas.

The refrigerant circulation device 37 includes a refrigerant circulation line 57, a compression unit 58, a condensing unit 61, an automatic refrigerant control valve 64, an expansion unit 62, and an evaporation unit 63.
As the refrigerant, for example, chlorofluorocarbon, alternative chlorofluorocarbon, ammonia, carbon dioxide, hydrocarbon or the like can be used.

The refrigerant circulation line 57 is a line for circulating the refrigerant and has a loop shape. A part of the refrigerant circulation line 57 is disposed in the cooler 35. The refrigerant evaporated in the evaporating unit 63 disposed in the cooler 35 removes heat from the hydrogen gas flowing in the main filling line 13 disposed in the cooler 35, whereby the hydrogen gas is cooled.
The compression unit 58 is provided in the refrigerant circulation line 57 disposed outside the cooling unit 35. The compression unit 58 compresses the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant circulation line 57 and derives the compressed refrigerant into the refrigerant circulation line 57 located on the downstream side of the compression unit 58.

  The condensing unit 61 is provided in a refrigerant circulation line 57 that is disposed after the compression unit 58 and outside the cooling unit 35. The condensing unit 61 cools the refrigerant by condensing the refrigerant compressed by the compression unit 58. The refrigerant cooled by the condensing unit 61 is led to a refrigerant circulation line 57 located on the downstream side of the condensing unit 61.

  The refrigerant automatic control valve 64 is provided in the refrigerant circulation line 57 disposed downstream of the cooling unit 35 and at the rear stage of the condensing unit 61. The refrigerant automatic control valve 64 is electrically connected to the controller 54 and operates to supply and stop the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant circulation line 57. Further, the refrigerant automatic control valve 64 can adjust the amount of refrigerant according to the opening of the valve, and can determine the cooling capacity of the cooler 35.

  The expansion unit 62 expands the refrigerant cooled by the condensing unit 61 after the refrigerant automatic control valve 64 and supplies the refrigerant suitable for evaporation to the evaporation unit 64 located in the cooler 35. In the cooler 35, the evaporated refrigerant that contributes to cooling of the hydrogen gas flowing through the main filling line 13 is supplied again to the compression unit 58 via the refrigerant circulation line 57 and reused.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the refrigerant is circulated as the cooler 35 has been described as an example. However, instead of this, for example, a cooler or the like that sprays liquefied nitrogen or the like as the refrigerant may be used. Good.

The hydrogen gas filling line 41 is a line branched from the rear end 13 </ b> B of the main filling line 13. The hydrogen gas filling line 41 is a dedicated line for filling hydrogen gas into a 70 MPaG fuel tank (not shown) of the hydrogen automobile.
The hydrogen gas filling line 42 is a line branched from the rear end 13 </ b> B of the main filling line 13. The hydrogen gas filling line 42 is a dedicated line for filling hydrogen gas into a 35 MPaG fuel tank (not shown) of the hydrogen automobile.
That is, the hydrogen station 10 of the present embodiment has two hydrogen gas filling lines for two different filling pressures.

The pressure measuring device 44 is provided in the hydrogen gas filling line 41. The pressure measuring device 44 is electrically connected to the control device 54.
The pressure measuring device 44 measures the pressure of the 70 MPaG fuel tank and transmits data related to the measured pressure to the control device 54.

The automatic opening / closing valve 45 is provided in the hydrogen gas filling line 41 located in the preceding stage of the pressure measuring device 44. The automatic opening / closing valve 45 is electrically connected to the control device 54 and can be controlled by the control device 54.
When the automatic open / close valve 45 is opened in a state where the automatic control valve 17 is opened and hydrogen gas is supplied to the front stage of the automatic control valve 17, the hydrogen gas filling line 41 positioned on the downstream side of the automatic open / close valve 45 is opened. Hydrogen gas cooled by the cooler 35 is supplied. On the other hand, when the automatic open / close valve 45 is closed, the supply of hydrogen gas to the hydrogen gas filling line 41 located downstream of the automatic open / close valve 45 is stopped.

The joint 47 is provided at the rear end of the hydrogen gas filling line 41. The joint 47 is a joint that can be connected only to a 70 MPaG fuel tank (not shown). Therefore, the joint 47 is configured such that it cannot be connected to a fuel tank (for example, a 35 MPaG fuel tank) having a filling pressure other than the 70 MPaG specification.
By having the joint 47 configured as described above, a fuel tank (for example, 35 MPaG fuel) having other filling pressure specifications is added to the hydrogen gas filling line 41 for filling the 70 MPaG fuel tank (not shown) with hydrogen gas. (Tank) can be prevented from being connected by mistake.

The pressure measuring device 49 is provided in the hydrogen gas filling line 42. The pressure measuring device 49 is electrically connected to the control device 54.
The pressure measuring device 49 measures the pressure in the 35 MPaG fuel tank and transmits data related to the measured pressure to the control device 54.

The automatic opening / closing valve 51 is provided in a hydrogen gas filling line 42 located in front of the pressure measuring device 49. The automatic opening / closing valve 51 is electrically connected to the control device 54 and can be controlled by the control device 54.
When the automatic open / close valve 51 is opened in a state where the automatic control valve 17 is opened and hydrogen gas is supplied to the front stage of the automatic control valve 17, the hydrogen gas filling line 42 located downstream of the automatic open / close valve 51 is opened. Hydrogen gas cooled by the cooler 35 is supplied. On the other hand, when the automatic open / close valve 51 is closed, the supply of hydrogen gas to the hydrogen gas filling line 42 located downstream of the automatic open / close valve 51 is stopped.
Normally, the automatic open / close valve 45 and the automatic open / close valve 51 do not open at the same time.

The joint 53 is provided at the rear end of the hydrogen gas filling line 42. The joint 53 is a joint that can be connected only to a 35 MPaG fuel tank (not shown). Therefore, the joint 53 is configured such that it cannot be connected to a fuel tank (for example, a 70 MPaG fuel tank) having a filling pressure other than the 35 MPaG specification.
By having the joint 53 configured as described above, a fuel tank (for example, a 70 MPaG fuel tank) having another filling pressure is added to the hydrogen gas filling line 42 that fills a 35 MPaG fuel tank (not shown) with hydrogen gas. ) Can be prevented from being connected by mistake.

The control device 54 is a device that performs overall control of the hydrogen station 10, and includes a storage unit 54-1 and a control unit 54-2.
The storage unit 54-1 has a program for operating the hydrogen station 10 (hereinafter referred to as “program A”), a relationship between the amount (flow rate) of the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant circulation line 57 and the cooling capacity of the cooler 35. , A set value of the cooling capacity of the cooler 35 (hereinafter referred to as “cooling capacity set value B”), a prescribed upper limit temperature of the 70 MPaG fuel tank connected to the joint 47 (hereinafter referred to as “upper limit temperature C”) , A prescribed upper limit temperature of the 35 MPaG fuel tank connected to the joint 49 (hereinafter referred to as “upper limit temperature D”), an ideal filling speed and pressure increase line for the 35 MPaG fuel tank, and an ideal filling speed for the 70 MPaG fuel tank In addition, data relating to the pressure rise line and the like are stored.

  For example, as described above, the cooling capacity set value B is set to 1 (reference value) as the cooling capacity necessary for filling the 35 MPaG fuel tank with hydrogen gas so that the temperature of the 35 MPaG fuel tank does not exceed the upper limit temperature D. If the cooling capacity required to fill the 70 MPaG fuel tank with hydrogen gas is set to 1.5 so that the temperature of the 70 MPaG fuel tank does not exceed the upper limit temperature C, hydrogen gas is supplied to the two fuel tanks. The value may be set to a value smaller than 2.5 (a total of one 35 MPaG fuel tank and one 70 MPaG fuel tank), which is the total cooling capacity required for simultaneous filling. It is good to set in the range of 1.6-1.9 smaller than the cooling capacity value which can be filled to two 35 MPaG fuel tanks simultaneously.

For example, when the material of the 70 MPaG fuel tank is fiber reinforced plastic (FRP), the upper limit temperature C can be set to + 80 ° C., which is lower than + 85 ° C.
For example, when the material of the 35 MPaG fuel tank is fiber reinforced plastic (FRP), the upper limit temperature D can be set to + 80 ° C., which is lower than + 85 ° C.

The control unit 54-2 performs overall control of the hydrogen station 10 based on the program A stored in the storage unit 54-1.
For example, when one of the joints 47 and 53 is connected to the fuel tank, the control unit 54-2 may connect a hydrogen gas filling line (hydrogen gas filling line) connected to the fuel tank via the joint. The automatic open / close valve (automatic open / close valve 45 or automatic open / close valve 51) provided in any one of the lines 41 and 42 is opened and the other automatic open / close valve (automatic open / close valve 45 or automatic) is opened. The on-off valve 51) remains closed.
Normally, the automatic open / close valve 45 and the automatic open / close valve 51 do not open at the same time.

Further, the control unit 54-2 adjusts the opening degree of the refrigerant automatic control valve 64 so that the cooling capacity setting value B is set in advance, thereby supplying the refrigerant to be circulated in the refrigerant circulation line 57. To decide.
When filling the 70 MPaG fuel tank with hydrogen gas, the controller 54-2 stops filling the 70 MPaG fuel tank with hydrogen gas when the pressure of the pressure measuring device 44 reaches 70 MPaG.

In addition, when the hydrogen gas is charged into the 35 MPaG fuel tank, the controller 54-2 stops the filling of the hydrogen gas into the 35 MPaG fuel tank when the pressure of the pressure measuring device 49 reaches 35 MPaG.
Furthermore, when the temperature of the 70 MPaG fuel tank at the time of hydrogen gas filling exceeds the upper limit temperature C, or when the temperature of the 35 MPaG fuel tank at the time of hydrogen gas filling exceeds the upper limit temperature D, the control unit 54-2 Detects that an abnormality has occurred during filling and stops the filling of hydrogen gas in an emergency.

When the plurality of hydrogen gas filling lines and the fuel tank are connected, the control device 54 configured as described above selects one fuel tank that performs hydrogen gas filling from the plurality of fuel tanks, and selects the selected fuel tank. Control to fill the fuel tank with hydrogen gas.
In addition, after the filling of the hydrogen gas is completed, the control device 54 selects one of the plurality of fuel tanks and then another fuel tank that is filled with the hydrogen gas, and the hydrogen gas is stored in the other fuel tank. Control to start filling.

Next, a method for filling hydrogen gas into a fuel tank of a hydrogen vehicle using the hydrogen station 10 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
First, the hydrogen station 10 is in a state where the hydrogen gas filling lines 41 and 42 are not connected to a fuel tank (not shown) of a hydrogen automobile (not shown), and the automatic open / close valves 16, 24, 25, 33, 34, 45, 51 and the automatic control valve 17 are all closed, and the compressor 14, the cooler 35, and the refrigerant circulation device 37 are stopped.

Next, as a stage before filling the fuel tank of the hydrogen vehicle with hydrogen gas, the first and second pressure accumulators 21 and 29 store the hydrogen gas to a specified pressure.
Specifically, when accumulating hydrogen gas in the first accumulator 21, first, the automatic open / close valve 24 is opened, and then the compressor 14 is activated to supply the hydrogen gas supplied from the hydrogen gas supply source 11. Is compressed, and hydrogen gas is accumulated in the first pressure accumulator 21. Thereafter, when the pressure value of the pressure measuring device 22 reaches a specified pressure value (for example, 82 MPaG) or more, the automatic open / close valve 24 is closed and the operation of the compressor 14 is stopped.
Next, hydrogen gas is stored in the second pressure accumulator 29 up to a pressure regulation value (for example, 82 MPaG) or more by the same method as that for accumulating hydrogen gas in the first pressure accumulator 21.

Next, the fuel tank of the hydrogen automobile to be filled is connected to a joint corresponding to the filling pressure of the fuel tank.
Specifically, when the fuel tank is a 70 MPaG fuel tank, the 70 MPaG fuel tank and the joint 47 are connected, and when the fuel tank is a 35 MPaG fuel tank, the 35 MPaG fuel tank and the joint 53 are connected. .

Here, a method of filling hydrogen gas into a fuel tank of a hydrogen automobile using the hydrogen station 10 will be described.
The hydrogen station 10 performs filling for each fuel tank. When both of the hydrogen gas filling lines 41 and 42 are connected to the fuel tank, either one of the fuel tanks is selected, and the selected fuel tank is filled with hydrogen gas. After hydrogen gas filling is completed, another fuel tank to be filled next is selected in the same manner, and hydrogen gas filling is started.
First, a method for filling hydrogen gas into a hydrogen vehicle having a 70 MPaG fuel tank (not shown) will be described.
First, the 70 MPaG fuel tank and the joint 47 are connected. Thereby, hydrogen gas filling preparation is automatically performed. At this stage, supply of the refrigerant to the cooler 35 is started by the refrigerant circulation device 37 so that the cooler 35 can be cooled, and temperature information of a temperature measuring device (not shown) provided in the 70 MPaG fuel tank. (Temperature data) is continuously transmitted to the control device 54.

The filling of hydrogen gas in the 70 MPaG fuel tank is performed by the following method.
First, in the filling of hydrogen gas in a low pressure region (for example, a pressure region of 35 MPaG or less), the automatic on-off valve 25 is opened, and the pressure difference between the pressure in the 70 MPaG fuel tank and the pressure in the first accumulator 21 is obtained. Then, filling with hydrogen gas (flow filling) is performed. Then, filling the hydrogen gas by closing the automatic open / close valve 25 in a pressure-equalized state (a state where hydrogen gas does not flow from the first pressure accumulator 21 to the fuel tank) or a specified pressure (for example, 35 MPaG). Exit.

Next, in the filling of hydrogen gas in a high pressure region (for example, a pressure region of 35 MPaG or more and 70 MPaG or less), filling using a differential pressure between the pressure in the 70 MPaG fuel tank and the pressure in the second accumulator 29 (flow filling). I do. Thereafter, the automatic open / close valve 34 is closed in a pressure-equalized state (a state in which hydrogen gas does not flow from the second pressure accumulator 29 to the fuel tank) or a specified pressure (for example, 70 MPaG).
Finally, if the amount is less than 70 MPaG, the automatic on-off valve 16 is opened and the compressor 14 is started to perform compression filling. Then, when the pressure in the 70 MPaG fuel tank reaches 70 MPaG, the automatic on-off valve 16 is closed and the compressor 14 is stopped simultaneously.

As described above, the ideal filling speed and pressure increase line for the 70 MPaG fuel tank of the hydrogen vehicle are input in advance to the storage unit 54-1.
The control device 54 controls the opening degree of the automatic control valve 17 based on the pressure value measured by the pressure measuring device 44 so as to realize an ideal filling speed and pressure increase line into the 70 MPaG fuel tank.

When the hydrogen gas is filled, the temperature of the hydrogen gas rises, so the cooler 35 is used to cool the hydrogen gas so that the temperature of the 70 MPaG fuel tank is lower than the upper limit temperature C (for example, + 80 ° C.). .
However, when unexpected rapid filling occurs due to an abnormality in the cooler 35 or an abnormality in the automatic control valve 17, the temperature of the 70 MPaG fuel tank may exceed the upper limit temperature C. Therefore, when such an abnormality occurs, the temperature of the 70 MPaG fuel tank may be constantly monitored in order to urgently stop filling the hydrogen gas into the 70 MPaG fuel tank.

Next, a method for filling hydrogen gas into a hydrogen vehicle having a 35 MPaG fuel tank (not shown) using the hydrogen station 10 will be described.
First, the 35 MPaG fuel tank and the joint 53 are connected. Thereby, hydrogen gas filling preparation is automatically performed. At this stage, supply of the refrigerant to the cooler 35 by the refrigerant circulation device 37 is started, the cooler 35 enters an operating state, and temperature information of a temperature measuring device (not shown) provided in the 35 MPaG fuel tank. (Data relating to the temperature of the 35 MPaG fuel tank) is continuously transmitted to the control device 54.

  The filling of the hydrogen gas into the 35 MPaG fuel tank uses the differential pressure between the 35 MPaG fuel tank and the first and second accumulators 21 and 29, as in the method of filling the hydrogen gas into the 70 MPaG fuel tank described above. Do it. Thereafter, when the filling pressure is less than 35 MPaG, the automatic opening / closing valve 16 is opened and the compressor 14 is started to perform compression filling. Then, when the pressure in the 35 MPaG fuel tank reaches 35 MPaG, the automatic open / close valve 16 is closed and the compressor 14 is stopped simultaneously.

As described above, the ideal filling speed and pressure increase line for the 35 MPaG fuel tank of the hydrogen vehicle are input in advance to the storage unit 54-1.
The control device 54 controls the opening degree of the automatic control valve 17 based on the pressure value measured by the pressure measuring device 49 so as to realize an ideal filling speed and pressure increase line for the 35 MPaG fuel tank.

When filling the hydrogen gas, the cooler 35 is used to cool the hydrogen gas so that the temperature of the 35 MPaG fuel tank is equal to or lower than the upper limit temperature D (for example, + 80 ° C.).
However, if unexpected rapid filling occurs due to an abnormality in the cooler 35 or an abnormality in the automatic control valve 17, the temperature of the 35 MPaG fuel tank may exceed the upper limit temperature D. Therefore, when such an abnormality occurs, the temperature of the 35 MPaG fuel tank may be constantly monitored in order to urgently stop the filling of the hydrogen gas into the 35 MPaG fuel tank.

In the hydrogen station 10, when the joint 47 is connected to the 70 MPaG fuel tank, the joint 53 is connected to the 35 MPaG fuel tank, and both the fuel tanks are filled with hydrogen gas, due to insufficient cooling capacity, The control device 54 detects that the temperature of the fuel tank exceeds the preset upper limit temperature, and the control device 54 automatically stops the hydrogen gas filling automatically.
By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to prevent the fuel tank from being filled with different pressure specifications, and further, that the 35 MPaG fuel tank is overfilled with 70 MPaG, which is a pressure higher than 35 MPaG. It can be avoided.

  In the hydrogen station 10, when the filling of hydrogen gas into one fuel tank is completed, filling of the hydrogen gas into the next fuel tank is started.

  According to the hydrogen station of the present embodiment, the hydrogen gas branched from the rear end 13B of the main filling line 13 is provided in the main filling line 13 by providing the cooler 35 for cooling the hydrogen gas flowing through the main filling line 13. The fuel tank (70 MPaG) is passed through one of the filling line 41 (dedicated line for filling the 70 MPaG fuel tank with hydrogen gas) and the hydrogen gas filling line 42 (dedicated line for filling the 35 MPaG fuel tank with hydrogen gas). The cooled hydrogen gas can be filled in the fuel tank or the 35 MPaG fuel tank.

  As a result, it is possible to prevent the fuel tanks (70 MPaG fuel tank and 35 MPaG fuel tank) from exceeding the upper limit temperatures C and D (for example, + 80 ° C.). The fuel gas can be safely filled with a plurality of types of fuel tanks having different filling pressure specifications (70 MPaG and 35 MPaG in the case of this embodiment) without exceeding the upper limit temperature that can be used. .

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, but the present invention is not limited to such specific embodiments, and within the scope of the present invention described in the claims, Various modifications and changes are possible.

In the present embodiment, the case where the two hydrogen gas filling lines 41 and 42 are branched from the rear end 13B of the main filling line 13 has been described as an example. However, the hydrogen branched from the rear end 13B of the main filling line 13 is described. The number of gas filling lines may be plural (two or more), and is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG.
For example, there may be a total of three lines, one dedicated line for filling the 70 MPaG fuel tank with hydrogen gas and two dedicated lines for filling the 35 MPaG fuel tank with hydrogen gas.
Moreover, it is preferable to provide the pressure measuring device 44 and the automatic on-off valve 45 shown in FIG.

In the present embodiment, as an example, the case where the joint 47 connected to the 70 MPaG fuel tank and the joint 53 connected to the 70 MPaG fuel tank are described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this.
For example, when a fuel tank (for example, 105 MPaG) having a higher filling pressure than 70 MPaG appears in the future, a hydrogen gas filling line (not shown) is branched from the rear end 13B of the main filling line 13 to fill the hydrogen gas. A joint (not shown) that can be connected only to a fuel tank having a filling pressure higher than 70 MPaG may be provided at the rear end of the line.

  In the present embodiment, as an example, the case of having two pressure accumulators (first and second pressure accumulators 21 and 29) has been described as an example. For example, the main filling line 13 is automatically opened and closed. Three or more accumulators may be connected in parallel so as to bypass the valve 16.

  The present invention is applicable to a hydrogen station that fills a fuel tank of a plurality of types of hydrogen automobiles having different filling pressure specifications with hydrogen gas.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Hydrogen station, 11 ... Hydrogen gas supply source, 13 ... Main filling line, 13A ... Front end, 13B ... Rear end, 14 ... Compressor, 16, 24, 25, 33, 34, 45, 51 ... Automatic on-off valve, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 17 ... Automatic control valve, 18 ... 1st bypass line, 21 ... 1st accumulator, 22, 31 ... Pressure measuring device for accumulators, 27 ... 2nd bypass line, 29 ... 2nd accumulator, 35 ... Cooler, 37 ... refrigerant circulation device, 41, 42 ... hydrogen gas filling line, 44, 49 ... pressure measuring device, 47, 53 ... joint, 54 ... control device, 54-1 ... storage unit, 54-2 ... control unit 57 ... Refrigerant circulation line, 58 ... Compression section, 61 ... Condensing section, 62 ... Expansion section, 63 ... Evaporating section, 64 ... Automatic control valve for refrigerant

Claims (5)

A hydrogen station for filling hydrogen gas to a plurality of types of fuel tanks having different filling pressure specifications,
A main filling line through which the hydrogen gas flows when the fuel tank is filled with hydrogen gas;
Among the main filling lines, a cooler that is provided between a front end of the main filling line and a rear end of the main filling line, and cools the hydrogen gas flowing through the main filling line;
Branched from the rear end of the main filling line, provided at least one for each different filling pressure, and used only when filling the hydrogen gas into each of the fuel tanks having different filling pressure specifications. A plurality of hydrogen gas filling lines;
An automatic on-off valve provided for each of the plurality of hydrogen gas filling lines;
A pressure measuring device provided in each of the plurality of hydrogen gas filling lines located downstream of the automatic opening and closing valve;
A joint that is provided at a rear end of each of the plurality of hydrogen gas filling lines and is connectable only to a fuel tank corresponding to the filling pressure specification of the hydrogen gas filling line;
A plurality of the automatic open / close valves are electrically connected to the plurality of automatic open / close valves, and the plurality of automatic open / close valves are connected to the fuel tank based on the pressure measured when the fuel tank is filled with hydrogen gas. A control device for controlling opening and closing;
A hydrogen station characterized by comprising: When the plurality of hydrogen gas filling lines and the fuel tank are connected, the control device selects one fuel tank for filling the hydrogen gas from the plurality of fuel tanks, and selects the selected fuel Control to fill the tank with hydrogen gas,
And after the filling of the hydrogen gas is completed, one of the plurality of fuel tanks is next selected as another fuel tank to be filled with the hydrogen gas, and the filling of the hydrogen gas into the other fuel tank is started. 2. The hydrogen station according to claim 1, wherein control is performed.   The cooler is capable of filling the hydrogen gas with respect to one fuel tank that requires the greatest cooling capacity among the plurality of fuel tanks, and two or more of the plurality of fuel tanks simultaneously. The hydrogen station according to claim 1, wherein the hydrogen station is set to a cooling capacity at which the hydrogen gas cannot be charged into the fuel tank. A refrigerant for cooling the hydrogen gas flowing through the main filling line is supplied to the cooler,
The hydrogen station according to claim 3, wherein the control device controls a supply amount of the refrigerant supplied to the cooler. The fuel tank has a temperature measuring device for measuring the temperature of the fuel tank,
The temperature measuring device continuously transmits the measured temperature data to the control device,
The said control apparatus stops filling of the said hydrogen gas to the said fuel tank, when the said temperature exceeds the preset upper limit temperature, The any one of the Claims 1 thru | or 4 characterized by the above-mentioned. Hydrogen station.

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