JP6563374B2 - Hydrogen gas cooling device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a hydrogen gas cooling device configured to be capable of cooling hydrogen gas by heat exchange with a heat transfer fluid cooled by a refrigeration circuit.

  As this type of hydrogen gas cooling device, hydrogen is supplied in a heat exchanger disposed in a hydrogen flow path when supplying hydrogen (hydrogen gas) stored in a hydrogen storage unit to a fuel cell vehicle (supplying air). A hydrogen cooling apparatus configured to be cooled is disclosed in the following patent document. In this hydrogen cooling device, the brine is circulated between the first heat exchanger connected to the water-cooled refrigerator unit and the tank to cool the brine in the tank, and the hydrogen cooling apparatus is disposed in the hydrogen flow path. By circulating the brine between the above heat exchanger (second heat exchanger) and the tank, it is possible to perform the process of cooling the hydrogen by heat exchange with the brine in the second heat exchanger. It is configured as follows.

  Although there is no specific disclosure in the following patent document, in a water-cooled refrigerator unit employed in this type of cooling device, cooling water is supplied from a cooling water supply source to a water-cooled condenser. Thus, a configuration is adopted in which the amount of refrigerant (fluorocarbon) necessary for cooling the object to be cooled (brine in the hydrogen cooling device) is condensed in the condenser. In this case, the cooling water supply source that supplies the cooling water to the condenser must supply the cooling water to various devices other than the condenser, so regardless of the operating state of the water-cooled refrigerator unit, A process of generating cooling water (a process of cooling and discharging the cooling water) is continuously performed. For this reason, when it is not necessary to condense a large amount of refrigerant in the water-cooled refrigerator unit, in order to avoid a situation where a large amount of cooling water is supplied to the condenser and more refrigerant is condensed than necessary, In a kind of water-cooled refrigerator unit, an adjustment valve that adjusts the amount of cooling water introduced into the condenser according to the state of the load is disposed in the cooling water flow path.

  For example, in the hydrogen gas cooling device prototyped by the applicant, a water-cooled condenser is adopted as the condenser in the refrigeration circuit for cooling the brine in the same manner as the water-cooled refrigerator unit in the hydrogen cooling apparatus described above. The structure which adjusts the quantity of the cooling water introduced with respect to this condenser with a regulating valve is employ | adopted (not shown). Specifically, in the hydrogen gas cooling device prototyped by the applicant, a pressure reaction type mechanical flow control valve is disposed in a cooling water pipe connecting a cooling water supply source and a water cooling type condenser in a refrigeration circuit. In addition, a configuration is employed in which the mechanical flow rate adjustment valve is operated using the refrigerant discharge pressure of the compressor in the refrigeration circuit.

  Thus, in the hydrogen gas cooling device prototyped by the applicant, when the refrigerant discharge pressure from the compressor is high, that is, when it is necessary to condense a large amount of refrigerant in the condenser, the opening degree of the mechanical flow control valve is A large enough cooling water is introduced into the condenser. In addition, when the refrigerant discharge pressure from the compressor is low, that is, when it is not necessary to condense a large amount of refrigerant in the condenser, the opening of the mechanical flow control valve becomes small and the amount of cooling water introduced into the condenser Becomes a small amount. Furthermore, when the refrigeration circuit is stopped (when the refrigerant discharge pressure is sufficiently low), the mechanical flow rate adjustment valve is closed and the cooling water supply source to the condenser (refrigeration circuit) is closed. The cooling water introduction is stopped. Thereby, the situation where the refrigerant | coolant more than required amount is condensed, and the situation where unnecessary cooling water is supplied to a refrigerating circuit from a cooling water supply source are avoided suitably.

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2015-127564 (page 6-11, FIG. 1-2)

  However, the hydrogen gas cooling device prototyped by the applicant (a cooling device having the same configuration as the hydrogen cooling device disclosed in the above patent document) has the following problems to be improved. That is, in the hydrogen gas cooling device prototyped by the applicant, the operation state (load state) of the refrigeration circuit is adopted by adopting a configuration that adjusts the flow rate of the cooling water using the refrigerant discharge pressure of the compressor in the refrigeration circuit. The cooling water according to this is introduced into the condenser.

  In this case, in the cooling device for cooling the hydrogen gas, for example, it is not necessary to continuously perform the cooling of the brine outside the business hours of the hydrogen gas station, so in order to avoid unnecessary power consumption, The refrigeration circuit may be stopped. In such a state, in the hydrogen gas cooling device prototyped by the applicant, the mechanical adjustment valve is closed as the refrigerant discharge pressure decreases, and the introduction of the cooling water from the cooling water supply source to the condenser is stopped. It becomes. However, even in a state where the refrigeration circuit is stopped, it is necessary to keep circulating the cooling water (continue to move the cooling water) in the whole cooling water flow path in order to prevent the cooling water from freezing in the winter period. is there.

  Therefore, in the hydrogen gas cooling device prototyped by the applicant, the upstream side and the downstream side of the mechanical adjustment valve are introduced so that a small amount of cooling water is introduced into the condenser even if the mechanical adjustment valve has shifted to the closed state. By-pass piping that connects the sides to each other, this prevents the cooling water from freezing in the condenser and in the piping near the condenser when the refrigeration circuit is stopped. Yes. For this reason, in the hydrogen gas cooling device prototyped by the applicant, the piping structure of the cooling water is complicated as much as the bypass piping is arranged, and as a result, the manufacturing cost is slightly increased. There is a present situation.

  In addition, among the devices used in the hydrogen gas station, in a device using a high-pressure fluid (for example, a refrigeration circuit using chlorofluorocarbon), whether or not safety is ensured for parts etc. in contact with the high-pressure fluid. It is necessary to make an application to show that the parts are used for testing and standards. For this reason, in the configuration in which the mechanical adjustment valve is operated using the refrigerant discharge pressure, it is difficult to reduce the manufacturing cost because the number of parts that require testing and application is large.

  Furthermore, the temperature of hydrogen gas and the temperature of brine differ between summer when the ambient temperature is high and winter when the ambient temperature is low. Even in the same season, the temperature of hydrogen gas and the temperature of brine differ between when installed in an area where the ambient temperature is high and when installed in an area where the ambient temperature is low. Therefore, when using this type of cooling device, it is preferable to adjust the amount of refrigerant condensed in the condenser according to the area where the cooling device is installed and the season in which it is used. For this reason, in the hydrogen gas cooling device prototyped by the applicant, a necessary and sufficient amount of cooling water is provided by arranging a regulator for adjusting the refrigerant discharge pressure or changing the initial opening value of the mechanical adjustment valve. Is used to adjust so that is supplied to the condenser. Thus, although a necessary and sufficient amount of refrigerant according to the ambient temperature can be condensed, there is a current situation that adjustment work is complicated.

  The present invention has been made in view of the problems to be improved, and a main object of the present invention is to provide a hydrogen gas cooling device capable of reducing the manufacturing cost and eliminating the need for complicated adjustment work.

In order to achieve the above object, a hydrogen gas cooling device according to claim 1 includes a refrigeration circuit having a liquid cooling type condenser connected to a coolant supply source, and heat medium liquid is supplied by an evaporator of the refrigeration circuit. A hydrogen gas cooling device configured to be capable of performing a heat medium liquid cooling process for cooling and a hydrogen gas cooling process for cooling hydrogen gas with the heat medium liquid cooled by the heat medium liquid cooling process, A sensor unit for detecting at least one of a refrigerant pressure and a refrigerant temperature in the circuit; an adjustment valve capable of adjusting an introduction amount of the cooling liquid from the cooling liquid supply source to the condenser; and A control unit that adjusts the introduction amount of the coolant, a housing that houses the refrigeration circuit, the sensor unit, the adjustment valve, and the control unit, and a supply-source-side coolant discharge in the cooling processing unit of the coolant supply source Outlet and source side cooling A first pipe interconnecting the coolant circulation path connecting the inlets with each other and the condenser side coolant introduction port in the condenser, and the condenser side coolant drainage in the condenser circulating path and the condenser A second pipe that connects the outlet to each other, and the refrigeration circuit introduces the coolant through a third pipe connected to the first pipe in the casing, and A fourth pipe connected to the second pipe in the body is provided with a compressor having a liquid-cooled power source for discharging the coolant, and is supplied from the coolant supply source via the third pipe. The cooling liquid is constantly supplied to the power source so that the power source is cooled, and the adjustment valve is connected to the connection portion of the third pipe in the first pipe and the condenser side coolant introduction. And between the condenser side coolant outlet and the front It is disposed either between the connecting portion of the fourth pipe in the second pipe, wherein the control unit, the adjustment in response to the sensor signal from the sensor unit during the execution of the heat transfer fluid cooling process A first process for adjusting the amount of refrigerant condensed in the condenser by controlling a valve to adjust the amount of introduced coolant; and a first process defined in advance when the heat transfer liquid cooling process is not performed. When the condition is satisfied, the control valve is controlled to increase the introduction amount of the cooling liquid to the condenser, and the second condition defined in advance when the heat transfer liquid cooling process is not executed is satisfied. When this is done, the control valve is controlled so that the second process of reducing the amount of the coolant introduced into the condenser can be executed.

  The hydrogen gas cooling device according to claim 2 is the hydrogen gas cooling device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor unit is arranged to detect a refrigerant discharge pressure from a compressor in the refrigeration circuit as the refrigerant pressure. In the first process, the control unit controls the adjustment valve in accordance with the refrigerant discharge pressure specified based on the sensor signal.

  The hydrogen gas cooling device according to claim 3 is the hydrogen gas cooling device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the adjustment valve is of a variable passage amount type in which the passage amount of the coolant can be changed in multiple stages or continuously. It consists of a motorized valve.

The hydrogen gas cooling device according to claim 4 is the hydrogen gas cooling device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the adjustment valve is configured to adjust the first of the condenser-side coolant discharge port and the second pipe. 4 is connected to the connecting part of the piping .

  The hydrogen gas cooling device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the adjustment valve in accordance with a sensor signal from the sensor unit at the time of executing the heat medium liquid cooling process to adjust the amount of introduced coolant, thereby the condenser. When the first condition for adjusting the amount of refrigerant condensed in the refrigerant and the first condition defined in advance during the non-execution of the heat medium liquid cooling process is satisfied, the adjustment valve is controlled to supply the coolant to the condenser. Second, the introduction amount is increased, and the control valve is controlled to reduce the introduction amount of the cooling liquid to the condenser when the second condition defined in advance when the heat transfer liquid cooling process is not executed is satisfied. The process is configured to be executable.

Therefore, according to the hydrogen gas cooling device of the first aspect, the adjustment valve can be arbitrarily opened and closed as necessary regardless of the operating state of the refrigeration circuit (for example, the refrigerant discharge pressure in the refrigeration circuit). Therefore, without providing a bypass pipe for allowing the coolant to pass through when the regulating valve is in a closed state (or a state where the valve opening rate is extremely small), for example, When it is necessary to avoid freezing or excessive temperature rise, the cooling valve can be introduced by allowing the coolant to pass by opening the regulating valve, resulting in the manufacturing cost of the hydrogen gas cooling device Can be sufficiently reduced. Also, for example, unlike a configuration in which the passage of the coolant is allowed / restricted by opening and closing the mechanical adjustment valve using the refrigerant discharge pressure, only a refrigerant pipe or the like for using the refrigerant discharge pressure is unnecessary. In addition, since the number of parts that require testing and application for parts in contact with a high-pressure fluid is reduced, the manufacturing cost of the hydrogen gas cooling device can be further reduced. Further, since the adjustment work for adjusting the opening degree of the mechanical adjustment valve in accordance with the use environment is not required, the operation cost can be sufficiently reduced. In addition, since an operation valve for manually changing the amount of coolant supplied to the condenser is not required, when operating each component of the hydrogen gas cooling device in a housing and unitizing it, As a result of not having to define the arrangement of each component in consideration of the above, the degree of freedom in designing the hydrogen gas cooling device can be sufficiently increased. In addition, a first pipe interconnecting the coolant circulation path in the coolant supply source and the condenser side coolant introduction port in the condenser, and the condenser side coolant discharge port in the coolant circulation path and the condenser, Since the adjusting valve is disposed in one of the second pipes that mutually connect, unlike the configuration in which the adjusting valve is disposed in the heat medium liquid circulation path of the coolant supply source, for example, other than the condenser The open / close state of the regulating valve can be arbitrarily changed without obstructing the supply of the coolant to various objects to be cooled. Further, the refrigeration circuit introduces the coolant through the third pipe connected to the first pipe, and discharges the coolant to the fourth pipe connected to the second pipe. A compressor having a power source, and a fourth pipe in the first pipe between the connection portion of the third pipe and the condenser side coolant introduction port, and in the condenser side coolant discharge port and the second pipe. By arranging a regulating valve between the pipe and the connection part, for example, the regulating valve is moved to a closed state (or a state with a very small valve opening rate), and the cooling liquid is supplied to the condenser. Even if the introduction is stopped (or reduced to a very small amount), the supply of the required amount of coolant to the compressor can be continued. In addition, by adopting a compressor having a liquid-cooled power source, unlike a configuration employing a compressor having an air-cooled power source, the compressor is emitted from the power source in a state where the compressor is housed in a housing. The situation where the temperature inside the housing rises excessively due to heat can be suitably avoided, and the inside of the housing is hot (region where air cooling is difficult) and the inside of the housing is extremely cold (in the case of air cooling) In addition, it can be used preferably in an area where the power source needs to be warmed up.

  According to the hydrogen gas cooling device of the second aspect, the sensor unit is disposed so that the refrigerant discharge pressure from the compressor in the refrigeration circuit can be detected as the refrigerant pressure, and the control unit detects the sensor signal in the first process. By controlling the regulating valve according to the refrigerant discharge pressure specified based on the above, the necessary and sufficient amount of refrigerant corresponding to the operating state of the refrigeration circuit is condensed in the first process performed during the heat medium liquid cooling process. A sufficient and sufficient amount of coolant can be introduced into the condenser so that it can be condensed in the condenser. For this reason, in a 1st process, as a result of being able to avoid suitably the situation where a lot of refrigerant | coolants are condensed more than necessary, or a required quantity of refrigerant | coolants is not condensed, the heat transfer fluid is cooled suitably in an evaporator. be able to.

  According to the hydrogen gas cooling device of the third aspect of the present invention, the regulating valve is configured by the variable flow rate motorized valve capable of changing the flow rate of the coolant in multiple stages or steplessly. Unlike the configuration that uses a control valve that can be controlled only in either the small valve opening rate state or the large valve opening rate state, it is necessary and sufficient for cooling the heat transfer fluid in the first process. A sufficient amount of the refrigerant can be condensed accurately, and in the second process, it is possible to suitably avoid a situation in which a larger amount of cooling liquid is introduced than necessary.

According to the hydrogen gas cooling device of the fourth aspect, the regulating valve is disposed between the condenser side coolant discharge port and the connection part of the fourth pipe in the second pipe. Therefore, according to the hydrogen gas cooling device of the fourth aspect, when the regulating valve is disposed on the upstream side of the condenser, the turbulent flow generated in the coolant at the time of passing through the regulating valve reaches the condenser. However, the heat exchange efficiency between the cooling liquid and the refrigerant in the condenser may be deteriorated. On the other hand, a turbulent flow is generated when the regulating valve passes by arranging the regulating valve on the downstream side of the condenser. However, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the turbulent flow hinders heat exchange between the coolant and the refrigerant in the condenser.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the hydrogen gas supply system 100 which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of a hydrogen gas cooling device will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  First, the configuration of the hydrogen gas cooling device 1 will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  A hydrogen gas supply system 100 shown in FIG. 1 is a facility for a hydrogen gas station that supplies (supplys) hydrogen gas to a supply object such as a hydrogen gas fuel cell vehicle, and includes a hydrogen gas cooling device 1 and a gas tank 2. , A dispenser 3, a cooling water supply source 4, and the like. In the figure, only the gas tank 2, the dispenser 3, and the cooling water supply source 4 are related to components other than the hydrogen gas cooling device 1 in the hydrogen gas supply system 100 in order to facilitate understanding of the hydrogen gas cooling device 1. The other components are not shown.

  In this case, the cooling water supply source 4 is an example of a “cooling liquid supply source”, and the hydrogen gas cooling device 1 and various devices other than the hydrogen gas cooling device 1 in the hydrogen gas supply system 100 are “ Cooling water, which is an example of “cooling liquid”, can be supplied. Specifically, the cooling water supply source 4 is a cooling processing unit 31 that performs cooling processing of the cooling water, and cooling that is discharged from a discharge port H31o of the cooling processing unit 31 (an example of a “supply source side coolant discharge port”). And a circulation pipe 32 that circulates the cooling water by introducing water into the introduction port H31i (an example of a “supply source side coolant introduction port”). In the cooling water supply source 4 of this example, the cooling water flow path from the discharge port H31o of the cooling processing unit 31 to the introduction port H31i through the circulation pipe 32 corresponds to the “cooling liquid circulation path”.

  On the other hand, the hydrogen gas cooling device 1 is an example of a “hydrogen gas cooling device”, and includes a refrigeration circuit 11, a brine tank 12, a heat exchanger 13 for cooling hydrogen gas, brine pipes 14a to 14d, and liquid feed pumps 15a and 15b. , A temperature sensor 16, cooling water pipes 17 a to 17 d, an electric valve 18, a temperature sensor 19, and a control unit 20, and cools the brine as a “heat medium liquid” and heats the cooled brine to a hydrogen gas cooling heat exchanger It is comprised so that it can supply to 13 and can cool hydrogen gas. In this case, in the hydrogen gas cooling device 1 of this example, each of the constituent elements 11 to 20 is accommodated in a casing (not shown) and is unitized (modularized). Thereby, it is possible to connect to the gas tank 2, the dispenser 3, the cooling water supply source 4, etc. and start using them without performing the work of assembling the respective components at the installation location of the hydrogen gas cooling device 1. .

  The refrigeration circuit 11 is a unitary refrigeration circuit that is an example of a “refrigeration circuit”, and includes a compressor 21, a condenser 22, an expansion valve 23, and an evaporator 24. As will be described later, It is comprised so that a brine can be cooled by heat exchange with the brine as a "heat medium liquid". In this case, the compressor 21 is an example of a “compressor”, and includes a variable compression amount type compressor using a water-cooled motor (an example of a “liquid-cooled power source”) as a power source. . The condenser 22 is a water-cooled condenser that is an example of a “liquid-cooled condenser”, and heat exchange between cooling water supplied from the cooling water supply source 4 and CFCs as will be described later. A configuration is adopted in which CFCs are cooled and condensed.

  Furthermore, the expansion valve 23 is configured by an “electronic expansion valve” that can change the amount of chlorofluorocarbon supplied to the evaporator 24 as an example, and the amount of chlorofluorocarbon necessary and sufficient for cooling the brine is controlled by the control unit 20. Is supplied to the evaporator 24. Instead of the expansion valve 23, a capillary tube may be provided as an “expansion valve” in the “refrigeration circuit” (not shown). The evaporator 24 is an example of an “evaporator”, and is configured to be capable of cooling the brine by heat exchange between the flon and the brine that have passed through the expansion valve 23.

  In the hydrogen gas cooling device 1 (refrigeration circuit 11) of this example, as an example, the refrigerant discharge pressure from the compressor 21 is detected in the refrigerant pipe connecting the compressor 21 and the condenser 22, and the sensor signal is detected. A pressure sensor 25 (an example of a “sensor unit” capable of detecting “refrigerant discharge pressure” as “at least one of refrigerant pressure and refrigerant temperature in the refrigeration circuit”) that outputs S25 is provided. The actual refrigeration circuit 11 includes various components such as various refrigerant bypass circuits, a reheat circuit, and a lubricating oil pipe that returns the lubricating oil discharged from the compressor 21 together with the chlorofluorocarbon to the compressor 21. However, in order to facilitate understanding of the hydrogen gas cooling device 1, illustration and description of these components are omitted.

  The brine tank 12 is configured to be capable of storing brine that is cooled by the refrigeration circuit 11 (evaporator 24) and supplied to the heat exchanger 13 for cooling hydrogen gas. The heat exchanger 13 for cooling the hydrogen gas is disposed between the gas tank 2 and the dispenser 3 in the gas pipe of the hydrogen gas supply system 100. The heat exchanger 13 for cooling the hydrogen gas mutually connects the brine supplied from the brine tank 12 (an example of “heat medium liquid cooled by the heat medium liquid cooling process”) and the hydrogen gas supplied from the gas tank 2. By performing heat exchange, the hydrogen gas immediately before being charged into the supply object from the dispenser 3 is cooled to a predetermined temperature (for example, a temperature within a temperature range of −33 ° C. to −40 ° C.) (“hydrogen An example of “gas cooling treatment”). In the hydrogen gas cooling device 1 of this example, the hydrogen gas cooling heat exchanger 13 is integrally provided. However, the hydrogen gas cooling heat exchanger 13 is excluded from the configuration of the hydrogen gas cooling device 1. And the structure which supplies a brine (heat-medium liquid) to the "heat exchanger for hydrogen gas cooling" comprised with the external apparatus is also employable.

  The brine pipes 14a and 14b connect the brine tank 12 and the evaporator 24 of the refrigeration circuit 11 to each other. In this case, in the hydrogen gas cooling device 1 of this example, the brine in the brine tank 12 is supplied to the evaporator 24 via the brine pipe 14a and cooled, and then guided to the brine tank 12 via the brine pipe 14b. Thus, a configuration in which the brine is circulated between the brine tank 12 and the evaporator 24 is employed. Further, in the hydrogen gas cooling device 1 of this example, the liquid feed pump 15a disposed in the brine pipe 14a feeds the brine in the brine tank 12 to the evaporator 24 in accordance with the control of the control unit 20, whereby the evaporator A configuration is adopted in which the brine in 24 (the brine cooled in the evaporator 24) is guided to the brine tank 12.

  The brine pipes 14c and 14d connect the brine tank 12 and the hydrogen gas cooling heat exchanger 13 to each other. In this case, in the hydrogen gas cooling device 1 of the present example, the brine in the brine tank 12 is supplied to the hydrogen gas cooling heat exchanger 13 through the brine pipe 14c and exchanged heat with hydrogen, and then the brine pipe 14d. The brine is circulated between the brine tank 12 and the hydrogen gas cooling heat exchanger 13 by being guided to the brine tank 12 via the. Further, in the hydrogen gas cooling device 1 of this example, the liquid feed pump 15b disposed in the brine pipe 14c pressure-feeds the brine in the brine tank 12 to the hydrogen gas cooling heat exchanger 13 according to the control of the control unit 20. Thus, a configuration in which the brine in the hydrogen gas cooling heat exchanger 13 is guided to the brine tank 12 is employed.

  As an example, the temperature sensor 16 is disposed in the brine pipe 14c for supplying the brine in the brine tank 12 to the hydrogen gas cooling heat exchanger 13, and the temperature of the brine in the brine pipe 14c (that is, hydrogen The temperature of the brine that is heat exchanged with the gas) is detected and a sensor signal S16 is output.

  The cooling water pipes 17a and 17b connect the cooling water supply source 4 and the condenser 22 of the refrigeration circuit 11 to each other. In this case, in the hydrogen gas cooling device 1 of this example, the upstream part (part close to the discharge port H31o) in the circulation pipe 32 of the cooling water supply source 4 and the inlet H22i of the condenser 22 ("condenser side cooling"). Cooling water is supplied from the cooling water supply source 4 to the condenser 22 via a cooling water pipe 17a (an example of a “first pipe”) that mutually connects an example of a “liquid inlet”. The cooling water that connects the 22 outlets H22o (an example of the “condenser-side coolant outlet”) and the downstream part (the part near the inlet H31i) in the circulation pipe 32 of the cooling water supply source 4 A configuration is adopted in which the cooling water is returned from the condenser 22 to the cooling water supply source 4 via the piping 17b (an example of “second piping”).

  Moreover, in the hydrogen gas cooling device 1 of this example, the motor-operated valve 18 which is an example of the “regulating valve” is disposed in the cooling water pipe 17b. This motor-operated valve 18 is a “variable-passage-type motor-operated valve that can change the coolant flow rate in a stepless manner”. It is composed of an electric ball valve that can change the valve opening rate steplessly in the range up to the fully open state (the valve opening rate is “100%”). In this example, as will be described later, the motor-operated valve 18 changes the valve opening rate to three stages (multi-stage) of “10%”, “50%”, and “100%” according to the control of the control unit 20. Therefore, the amount of cooling water discharged from the condenser 22 is adjusted, whereby the amount of cooling water newly introduced from the cooling water supply source 4 to the condenser 22 (introduction amount) is adjusted. ing.

  In this case, when the liquid subject to flow rate adjustment passes through the “flow rate adjustment valve” such as the motor-operated valve 18, turbulent flow may occur downstream of the “flow rate adjustment valve”. For this reason, depending on the flow rate of the coolant (cooling water) when the “flow rate adjusting valve” is arranged on the upstream side of the “condenser” (the cooling water pipe 17a in the hydrogen gas cooling device 1 of this example), The turbulent flow generated by the passage of the “flow regulating valve” reaches the “condenser”, and as a result, the heat exchange efficiency between the coolant (cooling water) and the refrigerant (fluorocarbon) in the “condenser” May get worse. Therefore, in the hydrogen gas cooling device 1 of this example, the electric valve 18 is disposed in the cooling water pipe 17b (downstream side of the condenser 22) through which the cooling water discharged from the condenser 22 passes. Even if turbulent flow is generated in the valve 18, a configuration is adopted in which the turbulent flow avoids a situation in which heat exchange between the cooling water and the chlorofluorocarbon in the condenser 22 is hindered.

  The cooling water pipe 17c is an example of a “third pipe”, and the cooling water pipe 17a and the compressor 21 (motor of the compressor 21) of the refrigeration circuit 11 are connected to each other, and the cooling water pipe 17a. Then, the cooling water supplied from the cooling water supply source 4 is introduced into the compressor 21. The cooling water pipe 17d is an example of a “fourth pipe”, and connects the compressor 21 (the motor of the compressor 21) and the cooling water pipe 17b to each other, and is discharged from the compressor 21. The cooled water is returned to the cooling water supply source 4. In this case, in the hydrogen gas cooling device 1 of this example, the motor-operated valve 18 is disposed between the discharge port H22o and the connection portion of the cooling water pipe 17d in the cooling water pipe 17b. The temperature sensor 19 detects the outside air temperature at the place where the hydrogen gas cooling device 1 is installed and outputs a sensor signal S19.

  The control unit 20 comprehensively controls the hydrogen gas cooling device 1. Specifically, the control unit 20 controls the compressor 21 of the refrigeration circuit 11 during execution of a brine cooling process (an example of “heat medium liquid cooling process”) that cools the brine by the refrigeration circuit 11 (evaporator 24). Then, the refrigerant necessary and sufficient for cooling the brine is compressed, and the expansion valve 23 is controlled so that the refrigerant necessary and sufficient for cooling the brine is supplied to the evaporator 24. Further, the control unit 20 adjusts the introduction amount of the cooling water to the condenser 22 by controlling the motor operated valve 18 according to the sensor signal S25 from the pressure sensor 25 and the sensor signal S19 from the temperature sensor 19.

  In this case, the control processing of the motor-operated valve 18 by the control unit 20 includes “normal control processing” executed when the brine cooling processing is executed and “special control processing” executed when the brine cooling processing is not executed. There are types. Specifically, as the “normal control process”, the amount of cooling water introduced into the condenser 22 is controlled by controlling the motor-operated valve 18 according to the sensor signal S25 from the pressure sensor 25 when the brine cooling process is executed. A control process for adjusting and condensing a sufficient amount of refrigerant necessary for cooling the brine in the condenser 22 (“process for adjusting the amount of refrigerant condensed in the condenser: an example of“ first process ”) is executed.

  Further, as the “special control process”, when the outside air temperature specified based on the sensor signal S19 from the temperature sensor 19 is lower than the low temperature side set temperature when the brine cooling process is not executed (the cooling water may be frozen). Or when the specified outside air temperature is higher than the set temperature on the high temperature side (the temperature of the cooling water in the condenser 22 or the cooling water pipe 17a becomes high and the condenser is restarted when the operation of the refrigeration circuit 11 is resumed). When it takes a long time to condense the refrigerant in the interior of the motor 22), the valve opening rate of the motor-operated valve 18 is increased and cooling water is introduced into the condenser 22 to cool the brine. When the outside air temperature specified at the time of non-execution of the process is not lower than the low temperature side set temperature and not higher than the high temperature side set temperature, the valve opening rate of the motor-operated valve 18 is reduced and the amount of cooling water introduced into the condenser 22 is reduced. (In this example, cooling Executes introduced to regulate) control process (an example of "second process").

  Furthermore, the control unit 20 controls the liquid feed pump 15a in parallel with the brine cooling process by the refrigeration circuit 11, thereby circulating the brine between the brine tank 12 and the evaporator 24, The brine temperature is maintained at a specified temperature (a temperature suitable for cooling hydrogen gas). The controller 20 is moved from the gas tank 2 toward the dispenser 3 by controlling the liquid feed pump 15b to circulate the brine between the brine tank 12 and the hydrogen gas cooling heat exchanger 13. The hydrogen gas is cooled by heat exchange with brine in the hydrogen gas cooling heat exchanger 13.

  Next, the operation principle of the hydrogen gas cooling device 1 will be described.

  In the hydrogen gas cooling device 1, when the hydrogen gas cooling process for cooling the hydrogen gas is not performed in the hydrogen gas cooling heat exchanger 13, between the brine tank 12 and the hydrogen gas cooling heat exchanger 13. A configuration in which a small amount of brine is circulated is employed. Specifically, the control unit 20 controls the liquid feed pump 15b during non-execution of the hydrogen gas cooling process, so that a small amount is transferred from the brine tank 12 to the hydrogen gas cooling heat exchanger 13 at a predetermined time interval. Of brine is intermittently fed. Thereby, the low-temperature brine cooled by the brine cooling process described later is supplied from the brine tank 12 to the hydrogen gas cooling heat exchanger 13 via the brine pipe 14c, and the brine in the hydrogen gas cooling heat exchanger 13 is As a result of returning to the tank 12 through the brine pipe 14d, the brine whose temperature has increased due to geothermal heat or the like has accumulated in the brine pipe 14c or the hydrogen gas cooling heat exchanger 13, that is, hydrogen gas at the start of the hydrogen gas cooling process. It is possible to preferably avoid a state in which a long time is required until the state can be suitably cooled.

  Further, the control unit 20 performs brine cooling in which the brine in the brine tank 12 is cooled by the refrigeration circuit 11 in parallel with the above-described process of circulating the brine between the brine tank 12 and the hydrogen gas cooling heat exchanger 13. By executing the processing, the temperature of the brine in the brine tank 12 is maintained at a temperature within a temperature range suitable for cooling the hydrogen gas. Specifically, by performing the brine circulation process as described above, the temperature of the brine supplied from the brine tank 12 to the heat exchanger 13 for cooling the hydrogen gas, that is, the temperature of the brine in the brine tank 12 is increased. It is detected by the temperature sensor 16. Therefore, the controller 20 determines that the temperature of the brine specified based on the sensor signal S16 from the temperature sensor 16 is within a specified temperature range (as an example, −38 ° C. ± A process for determining whether or not the temperature is within a temperature range of 0.2 ° C. is repeatedly executed (brine temperature monitoring process).

  When the controller 20 determines that the temperature of the specified brine is higher than the upper limit value of the specified temperature range, the controller 20 starts the brine cooling process by the refrigeration circuit 11 and controls the liquid feed pump 15a. Then, the brine is circulated between the brine tank 12 and the refrigeration circuit 11 (evaporator 24). At this time, in the hydrogen gas cooling device 1 of this example, the controller 20 suitably cools the brine in the evaporator 24 by changing the rotation speed of the compressor 21 according to the specified brine temperature, for example. Compress the amount of chlorofluorocarbon needed to do it. In this case, in the hydrogen gas cooling device 1 of this example, as an example, regardless of whether or not the hydrogen gas cooling process is being performed, the cooling water supply source 4 to the compressor 21 via the cooling water pipes 17a and 17c. Cooling water is constantly supplied. Therefore, the compressor 21 is suitably cooled when the brine cooling process is performed.

  In addition, at this point, which aims to cool the brine whose temperature has risen slightly due to the influence of geothermal heat or the like, it is not necessary to cool a large amount of brine in a short time, and as a result, the compressor 21 is operated at a low speed. The refrigerant discharge pressure detected by the pressure sensor 25 is a slightly lower pressure. Therefore, the control unit 20 controls, as an example, the valve opening rate of the motor-operated valve 18 to 50% according to the refrigerant discharge pressure specified based on the sensor signal S25 from the pressure sensor 25 ("first process" Example). As a result, the chlorofluorocarbon in the condenser 22 is suitably condensed by the cooling water supplied from the cooling water supply source 4 to the condenser 22 via the cooling water pipe 17a.

  Thereby, the flon discharged from the compressor 21 and condensed in the condenser 22 is supplied to the evaporator 24 through the expansion valve 23, and the brine is cooled by heat exchange with the vaporized flon. In the hydrogen gas cooling device 1 of this example, a known process for changing the valve opening rate of the expansion valve 23 in parallel with the change in the operating state of the compressor 21 or the change in the amount of cooling water introduced into the condenser 22. (Process for changing the amount of chlorofluorocarbon supplied to the evaporator 24) is performed, but in order to facilitate understanding of the operation of the hydrogen gas cooling device 1, a process for changing the valve opening rate of the expansion valve 23 will be described. Is omitted. By continuing such processing until the temperature of the brine specified based on the sensor signal S16 reaches a temperature within the specified temperature range, the temperature of the brine in the brine tank 12 is a target suitable for cooling hydrogen gas. It is maintained at a temperature within the temperature range.

  In addition, when hydrogen gas is charged (charged) into an automobile to be supplied, for example, a control unit of the hydrogen gas cooling device 1 from a main control device (not shown) of the hydrogen gas supply system 100 is used. An air supply start signal is output to 20, and accordingly, the control unit 20 controls the liquid feed pump 15 b to increase the amount of brine supplied from the brine tank 12 to the hydrogen gas cooling heat exchanger 13. Thereby, an amount of brine necessary for cooling the hydrogen gas is supplied from the brine tank 12 to the heat exchanger 13 for cooling the hydrogen gas via the brine pipe 14c.

  As a result, the hydrogen gas moved from the gas tank 2 toward the dispenser 3 is cooled by heat exchange with brine when passing through the hydrogen gas cooling heat exchanger 13, and the temperature is sufficiently lowered (for example, − Hydrogen gas having a temperature within a temperature range of 33 ° C. to −40 ° C. is filled in a fuel tank (gas tank) to be supplied. Thereby, the filling efficiency of hydrogen gas into the fuel tank to be supplied can be sufficiently improved. Further, the brine whose temperature has been increased by cooling the hydrogen gas in the heat exchanger 13 for cooling the hydrogen gas is recovered in the brine tank 12 via the brine pipe 14d.

  When the supply of hydrogen gas is completed, a supply end signal is output from the main control device of the hydrogen gas supply system 100 to the control unit 20 of the hydrogen gas cooling device 1. Accordingly, the control unit 20 ends the hydrogen gas cooling process, and controls the liquid feed pump 15b to start the above-described brine circulation process (the brine from the brine tank 12 to the hydrogen gas cooling heat exchanger 13). Decrease the supply amount). In this case, in the hydrogen gas cooling device 1 of the present example, when hydrogen gas is continuously supplied to a plurality of supply objects, there is no case where a low-temperature brine that can suitably cool the hydrogen gas is insufficient. As described above, the brine tank 12 having a sufficient capacity to store a sufficient amount of brine is provided. For this reason, the temperature of the brine in the brine tank 12 does not suddenly increase with one supply of air, but when a supply of hydrogen gas is continuously performed, a large amount of hydrogen gas is cooled. As a result, a large amount of high-temperature brine flows into the brine tank 12, and as a result, the temperature of the brine in the brine tank 12 rises in a short time.

  Therefore, since the temperature of the brine specified based on the sensor signal S16 from the temperature sensor 16 is higher than the above-mentioned specified temperature, the control unit 20 controls the liquid feed pump 15a to control the inside of the brine tank 12. While supplying brine to the evaporator 24, the compressor 21 is controlled to operate at a high speed, thereby compressing a sufficient amount of CFCs and increasing the refrigeration capacity of the refrigeration circuit 11 (capability of cooling the brine). At this time, the refrigerant discharge pressure specified based on the sensor signal S25 from the pressure sensor 25 becomes a high pressure with the high speed operation of the compressor 21. Therefore, the control unit 20 controls the valve opening rate of the motor-operated valve 18 to 100% in accordance with the specified refrigerant discharge pressure (another example of “first process”). Thereby, the Freon in the condenser 22 is suitably condensed with the cooling water supplied to the condenser 22 from the cooling water supply source 4 via the cooling water piping 17a.

  As a result, the flon discharged from the compressor 21 and condensed in the condenser 22 is supplied to the evaporator 24 via the expansion valve 23, and the brine is cooled by heat exchange with the vaporized flon. By continuing such processing until the temperature of the brine specified based on the sensor signal S16 reaches a temperature within the specified temperature range, the temperature of the brine in the brine tank 12 is a temperature suitable for cooling the hydrogen gas. The temperature is lowered to a temperature within the range.

  Moreover, in the hydrogen gas cooling device 1 of this example, when the brine cooling process by the refrigeration circuit 11 is not executed, the cooling water in the compressor 21, the condenser 22, and the cooling water pipes 17 a to 17 d is frozen or excessively heated. It is configured to avoid the rise. In addition, in the hydrogen gas cooling device 1 of this example, since the amount of cooling water required in the compressor 21 is small with respect to the maximum amount of cooling water required in the condenser 22, it will be described below. Regardless of the state of switching to the “winter operation mode”, “summer operation mode”, and “normal mode”, the cooling water from the cooling water supply source 4 is always supplied to the compressor 21, and the compressor 21 Freezing of the cooling water in the inner and cooling water pipes 17c and 17d and excessive temperature rise are avoided. Therefore, hereinafter, freezing of the cooling water in the condenser 22 and the cooling water pipes 17a and 17b and avoidance of an excessive temperature rise will be described.

  For example, in the winter season when the temperature of the cooling water in the condenser 22 and the cooling water pipes 17a and 17b decreases as the outside air temperature decreases, the motor-operated valve 18 is controlled to a small valve opening rate (valve opening rate). 10%: state in which the cooling water stays in the condenser 22 and the cooling water pipes 17a and 17b), after a long period of time, the cooling water in the condenser 22 and the cooling water pipes 17a and 17b. May freeze. Therefore, as an example, the control unit 20 detects the outside air temperature specified based on the sensor signal S19 from the temperature sensor 19 in a state where the switching operation to the “winter operation mode” is performed by an operation of an operation unit (not shown). When the temperature falls below a predetermined temperature (an example of “when the first condition is satisfied”), a transition is made to an operation state that prevents freezing of cooling water in the cooling water pipes 17a and 17b and the condenser 22. To do.

  In this “winter operation mode”, the control unit 20 sets the refrigerant discharge pressure specified based on the sensor signal S25 when the brine cooling process is not executed, that is, when it is not necessary to condense the refrigerant in the condenser 22. Regardless, the motor valve 18 is controlled to change the valve opening rate to 50%, whereby the cooling water is continuously supplied from the cooling water supply source 4 to the condenser 22 (introduction of the cooling water to the condenser 22). An example of “second processing” for increasing the amount). Thereby, as a result of the cooling water being moved in the cooling water pipe 17a, the condenser 22 and the cooling water pipe 17b, a situation in which the cooling water freezes inside these is suitably avoided.

  Even in the “winter operation mode” and the “summer operation mode” described later, the control unit 20 is specified based on the sensor signal S25 from the pressure sensor 25 when the brine cooling process is performed by the refrigeration circuit 11. A process (first process) for changing the valve opening rate of the motor-operated valve 18 in accordance with the refrigerant discharge pressure is executed, but the “normal control process” is the same as the process described above, and detailed description thereof is omitted. To do.

  Further, in the summer when the temperature of the cooling water in the condenser 22 and the cooling water pipes 17a and 17b rises as the outside air temperature rises, the motor-operated valve 18 is controlled to a small valve opening rate (valve opening rate). 10%: state in which the cooling water stays in the condenser 22 and the cooling water pipes 17a and 17b), when a long time elapses, the refrigeration circuit 11 is restarted (when the brine cooling process is resumed) In addition, there is a possibility that a long time is required for the condenser 22 to properly condense the fluorocarbon (a long time is required until the low-temperature coolant is introduced into the condenser 22). . Therefore, as an example, the control unit 20 detects the outside air temperature specified based on the sensor signal S19 from the temperature sensor 19 in a state where the switching operation to the “summer driving mode” is performed by an operation of an operation unit (not shown). When the temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature (another example of “when the first condition is satisfied”), the temperature of the cooling water in the cooling water pipes 17a and 17b and the condenser 22 is prevented from rising. Transition to the operating state.

  In this “summer operation mode”, the control unit 20 sets the refrigerant discharge pressure specified based on the sensor signal S25 when the brine cooling process is not executed, that is, when it is not necessary to condense the refrigerant in the condenser 22. Regardless, the motor valve 18 is controlled to change the valve opening rate to 50%, whereby the cooling water is continuously supplied from the cooling water supply source 4 to the condenser 22 (introduction of the cooling water to the condenser 22). Another example of “second processing” for increasing the amount). As a result, the cooling water is moved through the cooling water pipe 17a, the condenser 22 and the cooling water pipe 17b, and low-temperature cooling water is sequentially supplied from the cooling water supply source 4, so that the refrigeration circuit 11 is restarted. At this time (when the brine cooling process is resumed), it is possible to maintain a state in which the chlorofluorocarbon in the condenser 22 can be immediately condensed.

  In addition, when the outside air temperature is above the specified temperature in the above “winter operation mode”, when the outside air temperature is below the specified temperature in the “summer operation mode”, and both the “winter operation mode” and the “summer operation mode” At any time when the transition is not performed, that is, when there is no possibility of freezing of cooling water or excessive temperature rise (an example of “when the second condition is satisfied”), the control unit 20 Then, the process proceeds to the “normal operation mode” in which the amount of cooling water supplied to the condenser 22 is extremely small.

  In this “normal operation mode”, the control unit 20 sets the refrigerant discharge pressure specified based on the sensor signal S25 when the brine cooling process is not executed, that is, when it is not necessary to condense the refrigerant in the condenser 22. Regardless, the amount of cooling water supplied from the cooling water supply source 4 to the condenser 22 is reduced by controlling the motor operated valve 18 to change the valve opening rate to 10% (cooling water supplied to the condenser 22). Another example of “second processing” for reducing the introduction amount). Thereby, the consumption of the cooling water in the condenser 22 is reduced.

  Thus, in this hydrogen gas cooling device 1, the control unit 20 controls the motor-operated valve 18 according to the sensor signal S25 from the pressure sensor 25 when the brine cooling process is performed, and introduces the coolant into the condenser 22. The “first process” that adjusts the amount of chlorofluorocarbon in the condenser 22 by adjusting the amount and the “first condition” that is defined in advance when the brine cooling process is not executed are motor-driven valves. 18 is controlled to increase the amount of cooling liquid introduced into the condenser 22 and the motor-operated valve 18 is controlled when a “second condition” defined in advance when the brine cooling process is not executed is satisfied. The “second process” for reducing the amount of the coolant introduced into the condenser 22 can be executed.

  Therefore, according to the hydrogen gas cooling device 1, the motor-operated valve 18 can be arbitrarily opened and closed as necessary regardless of the operating state of the refrigeration circuit 11 (for example, the refrigerant discharge pressure in the refrigeration circuit 11). Therefore, a bypass pipe for allowing the passage of cooling water when the “regulating valve” has shifted to a state with a very small valve opening rate (in this example, the valve opening rate is 10%). Without arranging, for example, when it is necessary to avoid freezing of cooling water or excessive temperature rise, the motor-operated valve 18 is opened to allow passage of the cooling water, thereby introducing the cooling water into the condenser 22. As a result, the manufacturing cost of the hydrogen gas cooling device 1 can be sufficiently reduced. Also, for example, unlike a configuration that allows / regulates the passage of cooling water by opening and closing a mechanical adjustment valve using the refrigerant discharge pressure, only a refrigerant pipe or the like for using the refrigerant discharge pressure is not required. In addition, since the number of parts that require testing and application for parts in contact with the high-pressure fluid is reduced, the manufacturing cost of the hydrogen gas cooling device 1 can be further reduced. Further, since the adjustment work for adjusting the opening degree of the mechanical adjustment valve in accordance with the use environment is not required, the operation cost can be sufficiently reduced. Further, since an operation valve for manually changing the supply amount of the cooling water to the condenser 22 is not necessary, such an operation valve is used when each component of the hydrogen gas cooling device 1 is accommodated in a housing and unitized. As a result of not having to define the arrangement of each component in consideration of the above operations, the degree of freedom in designing the hydrogen gas cooling device 1 can be made sufficiently high.

  Further, according to the hydrogen gas cooling device 1, the pressure sensor 25 is disposed so that the refrigerant discharge pressure from the compressor 21 in the refrigeration circuit 11 can be detected as “refrigerant pressure”, and the control unit 20 includes the “first” In the “first process”, the operation state of the refrigeration circuit 11 is controlled by controlling the motor-operated valve 18 according to the refrigerant discharge pressure specified based on the sensor signal S25. A necessary and sufficient amount of cooling water can be introduced into the condenser 22 so that the necessary and sufficient amount of chlorofluorocarbon can be condensed in the condenser 22. For this reason, in the “first process”, it is possible to suitably avoid a situation where a larger amount of chlorofluorocarbon is condensed than necessary or a necessary amount of chlorofluorocarbon is not condensed. As a result, the brine is suitably cooled in the evaporator 24. can do.

  Furthermore, according to this hydrogen gas cooling device 1, the amount of coolant passing can be changed in multiple stages or steplessly (in this example, “10%”, “50%”, “100%”). By configuring the “regulating valve” with a variable passage amount type motor-operated valve 18, it is only in one of a small valve opening rate state and a large valve opening rate state, or only in an open state and a closed state. Unlike the configuration employing a controllable “regulator valve”, the “first process” can accurately condense a sufficient amount of CFCs necessary for cooling the brine, and also in the “second process”. In addition, it is possible to suitably avoid a situation in which an excessive amount of cooling water is introduced into the condenser 22.

  Further, according to the hydrogen gas cooling device 1, the cooling water pipe 17 a that interconnects the circulation pipe 32 in the cooling water supply source 4 and the inlet H 22 i in the condenser 22, and the circulation pipe 32 and the condenser 22. Since the motor-operated valve 18 is disposed in any one of the cooling water pipes 17b (in this example, the cooling water pipe 17b) that mutually connects the discharge port H22o in the pipe, for example, the circulation pipe 32 of the cooling water supply source 4 Unlike the configuration in which the “regulating valve” is provided, the open / close state of the motor-operated valve 18 can be arbitrarily changed without obstructing the supply of cooling water to various objects to be cooled other than the condenser 22. it can.

  Furthermore, according to this hydrogen gas cooling device 1, the refrigeration circuit 11 introduces the cooling liquid via the cooling water pipe 17c connected to the cooling water pipe 17a, and the cooling water pipe connected to the cooling water pipe 17b. 17d is provided with a compressor 21 having a liquid-cooling type power source for discharging the cooling liquid, between the connection portion of the cooling water pipe 17c in the cooling water pipe 17a and the inlet H22i in the condenser 22, and in the condenser 22 By arranging the motor-operated valve 18 between the discharge port H22o and the connection part of the coolant-water pipe 17d in the coolant-water pipe 17b (in this example, the coolant-water pipe 17b), for example, Even if the supply amount of the cooling water to the condenser 22 is reduced to a very small amount by shifting to a state with a very small valve opening rate (in this example, the state where the valve opening rate is “10%”) Against machine 21 It can be continued supply the required amount of cooling water. Further, by adopting the compressor 21 having a liquid-cooled power source, unlike the configuration adopting the “compressor” having an air-cooled power source, the power in a state where the compressor 21 is housed in the casing. Areas in which the temperature inside the chassis rises excessively due to heat generated from the source can be suitably avoided, and areas where the interior of the chassis is hot (areas where air cooling is difficult) and areas where the interior of the chassis is extremely cold It can also be suitably used in an area where the power source needs to be warmed up in the case of air cooling.

  The configuration of the “hydrogen gas cooling device” is not limited to the configuration of the hydrogen gas cooling device 1 described above. For example, the motor-operated valve 18 whose valve opening rate can be changed steplessly is arranged as a “regulating valve”, and the valve opening rate is set to one of three stages of “10%”, “50%”, and “100%”. The example of changing the flow rate of the cooling water as “cooling liquid” in three stages has been explained, but the valve opening rate of the “motorized valve” that can change the valve opening rate steplessly is four or more. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which a multi-stage configuration or a “motor valve” capable of adjusting the passage amount of “cooling water” in multiple stages is provided as an “regulating valve”. By adopting such a configuration, a necessary and sufficient amount of “cooling liquid” can be accurately introduced into the “condenser”.

  In addition, a configuration is adopted in which an “electromagnetic valve” that can adjust the valve opening rate only in two arbitrary stages (for example, “10%” and “100%”) is provided as an “regulating valve”. You can also. Furthermore, the “state in which the passage amount of the cooling liquid is reduced” is limited to an example in which the introduction amount of the “cooling liquid” to the condenser 22 is extremely small (a state in which the valve opening rate is “10%”). Alternatively, control can be performed so that the amount of the “cooling liquid” introduced into the condenser 22 becomes “0” (the valve opening rate becomes “0%”).

  In addition, an example in which the motor-operated valve 18 as an “regulating valve” is disposed between the discharge port H22o of the condenser 22 of the “second piping” and the connection portion of the cooling water piping 17d in the cooling water piping 17b. As described above, by arranging an “regulating valve” such as the motor-operated valve 18 between the connection portion of the cooling water pipe 17 c in the cooling water pipe 17 a and the inlet H 22 i in the condenser 22, the condenser 22 is provided. The structure which adjusts the introduction amount of the cooling water (cooling liquid) can also be adopted. Further, the configuration in which the cooling water as an example of the “cooling liquid” is supplied to the condenser 22 has been described as an example, but the configuration in which the oil as the “cooling liquid” is supplied to the “condenser” may be adopted. it can. Moreover, although the structure which cools the brine as a "heat-medium liquid" using CFC as a "refrigerant" was mentioned as an example, it is brine using various "refrigerants" (for example, carbon dioxide) other than CFC. It is also possible to employ a configuration for cooling various “heat medium liquids” (for example, oil) other than the above.

  Further, the configuration for controlling the motor-operated valve 18 as the “regulating valve” according to the “refrigerant discharge pressure” specified based on the sensor signal S25 from the pressure sensor 25 has been described as an example. Instead of various “refrigerant pressures” other than “refrigerant discharge pressure” (for example, “refrigerant suction pressure” to the compressor 21 and “differential pressure” of two “refrigerant pressures”). The “pressure sensor” can be arranged as a “sensor unit” so that the “regulating valve” can be controlled, the “refrigerant temperature” at any position in the refrigerant flow path, or the “difference between the two refrigerant temperatures” The “temperature sensor” can be arranged as a “sensor portion” so that the “regulating valve” can be controlled based on the “temperature”. Even when such a configuration is adopted, at the time of non-execution of the brine cooling process (heat medium liquid cooling process), it is optional separately from the “first process” based on the sensor signals from those “sensor units”. By executing the “second process”, it is possible to achieve the same effect as the hydrogen gas cooling device 1 described above.

  Further, the brine cooled by the refrigeration circuit 11 is stored in the brine tank 12 (the brine is circulated between the brine tank 12 and the refrigeration circuit 11), and the brine in the brine tank 12 is replaced with a heat exchanger 13 for cooling hydrogen gas. In the above description, an example is described in which hydrogen gas is cooled by supplying brine (circulating brine between the brine tank 12 and the hydrogen gas cooling heat exchanger 13). However, the "heat medium liquid" is stored. The arrangement position of the “reservoir” is not limited to the example of the arrangement position of the brine tank 12 described above. For example, the brine in the “storage tank (brine tank)” is supplied to the refrigeration circuit 11 (evaporator 24) and cooled, and then supplied directly to the heat exchanger 13 for cooling the hydrogen gas to cool the hydrogen gas. The “reservoir” can be arranged so that the brine whose temperature has risen due to the cooling of the gas is collected in the “reservoir”. In addition, when used in an environment where there is no possibility of continuously cooling a large amount of hydrogen gas, that is, an environment where it is not necessary to provide a large amount of brine, a “reservoir layer (brine tank)” is not required. You can also

  Further, the configuration in which the brine that is an example of the “heating medium liquid” is cooled by the refrigeration circuit 11 that is an example of the “unified refrigeration circuit” has been described as an example. The condenser of the second refrigeration circuit (low temperature side refrigeration circuit) is cooled by the condenser to condense a sufficient amount of the refrigerant in the condenser of the second refrigeration circuit in a short time, and the evaporator of the second refrigeration circuit " It is also possible to adopt a “two-way refrigeration circuit” that can lower the temperature of the “heat transfer fluid” to a sufficiently low temperature suitable for cooling hydrogen gas by cooling the “heat transfer fluid” (not shown) . When such a configuration is adopted, the condenser of the first refrigeration circuit (high temperature side refrigeration circuit) is constituted by a “liquid cooling condenser”, and the “cooling liquid” supplied from the “cooling liquid supply source” “ By changing the introduction amount to the “condenser” by the “regulating valve”, the same effect as the hydrogen gas cooling device 1 can be obtained.

  Further, the brine required for cooling the hydrogen gas is supplied from the brine tank 12 to the hydrogen gas cooling heat exchanger 13 in conjunction with the output of the supply start signal from the main controller of the hydrogen gas supply system 100. In the above description, the configuration in which the supply amount of brine to the hydrogen gas cooling heat exchanger 13 is reduced (or the supply of brine is stopped) in conjunction with the output of the air supply end signal has been described as an example. For example, regardless of whether hydrogen gas is supplied or not, a constant amount of brine is always supplied to the hydrogen gas cooling heat exchanger 13 and the brine flowing out of the hydrogen gas cooling heat exchanger 13 is supplied. The temperature is monitored, and the supply of brine to the hydrogen gas cooling heat exchanger 13 when the temperature of the brine flowing out from the hydrogen gas cooling heat exchanger 13 becomes equal to or higher than the specified temperature as the supply of hydrogen gas starts. The amount of brine supplied to the hydrogen gas cooling heat exchanger 13 when the temperature of the brine flowing out of the hydrogen gas cooling heat exchanger 13 with the amount being increased and the supply of hydrogen gas ends falls below the specified temperature It is also possible to adopt a configuration that reduces the above.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Hydrogen gas supply system 1 Hydrogen gas cooling device 2 Gas tank 3 Dispenser 4 Cooling water supply source 11 Refrigeration circuit 12 Brine tank 13 Hydrogen gas cooling heat exchanger 14a-14d Brine piping 15a, 15b Liquid feed pump 16, 19 Temperature sensor 17a to 17d Cooling water piping 18 Motorized valve 20 Control unit 21 Compressor 22 Condenser 23 Expansion valve 24 Evaporator 25 Pressure sensor 31 Cooling processing unit 32 Circulation piping H22i, H31i Inlet port H22o, H31o Discharge port S16, S19, S25 Sensor signal

Claims (4)

A refrigeration circuit having a liquid-cooled condenser connected to a coolant supply source;
A heat medium liquid cooling process for cooling the heat medium liquid by the evaporator of the refrigeration circuit and a hydrogen gas cooling process for cooling the hydrogen gas by the heat medium liquid cooled by the heat medium liquid cooling process are configured to be executable. A hydrogen gas cooling device,
A sensor unit for detecting at least one of a refrigerant pressure and a refrigerant temperature in the refrigeration circuit;
An adjustment valve capable of adjusting the amount of coolant introduced from the coolant supply source to the condenser;
A control unit that controls the adjustment valve to adjust the introduction amount of the coolant ;
A housing that houses the refrigeration circuit, the sensor unit, the regulating valve, and the control unit;
The coolant circulation path that interconnects the supply-source-side coolant discharge port and the supply-source-side coolant introduction port in the cooling processing section of the coolant supply source and the condenser-side coolant introduction port in the condenser are mutually connected. A first pipe to be connected, and a second pipe for mutually connecting the coolant circulation path and the condenser side coolant discharge port in the condenser ;
The refrigeration circuit introduces the coolant through a third pipe connected to the first pipe in the casing, and a fourth pipe connected to the second pipe in the casing. A compressor having a liquid-cooled power source for discharging the coolant, and the coolant is constantly supplied from the coolant supply source to the power source via the third pipe. Configured to be cooled,
The adjusting valve is configured to connect the third piping in the first piping between the connection portion of the third piping and the condenser-side coolant introduction port, and the condenser-side cooling fluid discharge port and the second piping in the second piping. 4 is arranged between any of the connecting parts of the piping,
The control unit controls the adjustment valve according to a sensor signal from the sensor unit during the execution of the heat medium liquid cooling process, and adjusts the introduction amount of the cooling liquid, thereby condensing the refrigerant in the condenser. And the introduction of the cooling liquid into the condenser by controlling the adjustment valve when a first condition defined in advance when the heat transfer liquid cooling process is not executed is satisfied. In addition to increasing the amount, the control valve is controlled to reduce the introduction amount of the cooling liquid to the condenser when the second condition prescribed in advance when the heat medium liquid cooling process is not executed is satisfied. A hydrogen gas cooling device configured to be capable of executing the second process. The sensor unit is arranged to detect the refrigerant discharge pressure from the compressor in the refrigeration circuit as the refrigerant pressure,
2. The hydrogen gas cooling device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the regulating valve in accordance with the refrigerant discharge pressure specified based on the sensor signal in the first process.   3. The hydrogen gas cooling device according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment valve is constituted by a variable passage amount type electric valve capable of changing the passage amount of the cooling liquid in a multistage or stepless manner. 4. The hydrogen gas according to claim 1, wherein the regulating valve is disposed between the condenser-side coolant discharge port and a connection portion of the fourth pipe in the second pipe. Cooling system.

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