阅读说明：本技术 用于为储罐充填加压气体的方法和装置 (Method and device for filling a tank with a pressurized gas ) 是由 T·弗朗索瓦 于 2020-02-25 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及用于经由充填站为储罐充填加压气体的方法和装置,站包括至少一个加压气体源和用于输送气体的流体线路,线路包括连接到气体源的第一端,设有旨在与储罐结合的输送管的第二端,第一第二端之间的第一阀、流量或压力调节构件和第二阀,其中在第一与第二储罐的充填之间对第二储罐进行密闭度测试,在第一储罐充填结束时将第二储罐置于压力下,测量捕集在两个阀之间的线路中的气体供给的压力,当压力大于阈值时,打开第二阀利用气体供给对第二储罐进行泄漏测试,当压力低于阈值时,打开第一阀利用气体源充填两个阀之间的线路,当两个阀之间的线路中的压力达到或超过阈值时关闭第一阀,随后打开第二阀利用气体供给对第二储罐进行泄漏测试。(The invention relates to a method and a device for filling a tank with pressurized gas via a filling station, the station comprising at least one source of pressurized gas and a fluid line for delivering gas, the line comprising a first end connected to the source of gas, a second end provided with a delivery pipe intended to be coupled to the tank, a first valve, flow or pressure regulating means and a second valve between the first and second ends, wherein the second tank is tested for tightness between the filling of the first and second tanks, the second tank is placed under pressure at the end of the filling of the first tank, the pressure of the gas supply trapped in the line between the two valves is measured, the second valve is opened to carry out a leak test of the second tank with the gas supply when the pressure is greater than a threshold value, the first valve is opened to fill the line between the two valves with the source of gas when the pressure is below the threshold value, the first valve is closed when the pressure in the line between the two valves reaches or exceeds the threshold value, the second valve is then opened to leak test the second tank with the gas supply.)

1. Method for filling a tank (1) with a pressurized gas, in particular pressurized hydrogen, via a filling station (100) comprising at least one source (2, 3, 4) of pressurized gas and a fluid line (5) for conveying the gas from the at least one source to the tank (1), the line (5) comprising a first end connected to the at least one source (2, 3, 4) of gas and a second end provided with a delivery pipe (6) intended to be removably associated with the tank (1) to be filled, the line (5) comprising a first isolation valve (7) between the first and second ends, a member (8) for regulating the flow or pressure and a second isolation valve (11), the method comprising filling the first tank (1) in sequence, then filling a second tank (1), said method comprising a tightness test of the second tank (1) in leaktight engagement with the second end of the line between the filling of the first tank (1) and the filling of the second tank (1), the leak test comprising placing the second tank (1) under pressure by opening the second valve (11) at the end of the filling of the first tank (1), the first and second isolation valves (7, 11) being closed so as to trap a supply of pressurized gas in the line (5) between the two valves (7, 11), said method being characterized in that it comprises measuring the pressure of the gas supply trapped in the line (5) between the two valves (7, 11) and, when the determined pressure is greater than a predetermined threshold, performing a leak test of the second tank (1) with this gas supply by opening the second valve (11), and when the measured pressure is below a predetermined threshold, the method comprises: a phase of filling the line between the two valves (7, 11) with the gas source (2, 3, 4) by opening the first valve (7), and the following phases: -closing said first valve (7) when the measured pressure in the line (5) between the two valves (7, 11) reaches or exceeds a predetermined threshold value, and subsequently performing a leak test of said second tank (1) with the gas supply by opening said second valve (11).

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the predetermined threshold value is between 300 and 900bar, in particular between 700 and 860 bar.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the predetermined threshold value is a pressure value which is greater than the pressure prevailing in the second tank (1) before the second tank (1) is filled.

4. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said source comprises at least one pressurized gas storage tank (2) and in that the phase of filling the line between said two valves (7, 11) is performed by pressure equalization with said pressurized gas storage tank (2).

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the line (5) comprises one or more lines with a thermal insulation layer at least between the first (7) and the second (11) isolation valve.

6. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the line (5) comprises, between the first isolation valve (7) and the second isolation valve (11), a heat exchanger (9) for cooling the gas delivered to the tank (1) to be filled.

7. Method according to claim 6, characterized in that the first isolation valve (7) is positioned in the line (5) adjacent to the heat exchanger (9), that is to say the first isolation valve (7) is closer to the heat exchanger (9) than to the first end of the line (5), and preferably the first isolation valve (7) is located at the inlet of the heat exchanger (9).

8. The method according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the second isolation valve (11) is positioned in the line (5) adjacent to the second end of the line (5), that is to say the second isolation valve (1) is closer to the second end of the line (5) than to the heat exchanger (9).

9. Method according to any of claims 1-8, characterized in that the volume of the line between the first isolation valve (7) and the second isolation valve (11) is 0.00005m³To 0.01m³In the meantime.

10. The method according to any of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the length of the line (5) between the first isolation valve (7) and the second isolation valve (11) is between 1 and 50 meters, preferably between 2 and 30 meters.

11. Device for filling a tank (1) with a pressurized gas, in particular with pressurized hydrogen, comprising a filling station (100), said filling station (100) comprising at least one source (2, 3, 4) of pressurized gas and a fluid line (5) for conveying said gas from said at least one source to said tank (1), said line (5) comprising a first end connected to said at least one source (2, 3, 4) of gas and a second end provided with a delivery pipe (6), said delivery pipe (6) being intended to be removably associated with the tank (1) to be filled, said line (5) comprising a first isolation valve (7) between said first and second ends, a member (8) for regulating the flow or pressure and a second isolation valve (11), said filling station (100) being suitable and configured for carrying out the sequential filling of a first tank (1) and then of a second tank (1) -a filling station comprising electronic data processing and storage means (12) to control said filling and in particular said valves (7, 11), said electronic data processing and storage means (12) being configured to carry out a tightness test of a second tank (1) in sealed engagement with the second end of the line, between the filling of the first tank (1) and the filling of the second tank (1), a leak test comprising placing the second tank (1) under pressure by opening the second valve (11) at the end of the filling of the first tank (1), said electronic data processing and storage means (12) being configured to close the first isolation valve (7) and the second isolation valve (11) so as to trap a supply of pressurized gas in the line (5) between these two valves (7, 11), said device being characterized in that the two valves (7, 11) in the line (5) between the two valves (7, 11), the electronic data processing and storage means (12) being configured to perform a leak test of the second tank (1) with the gas supply trapped in the line (5) between the two valves (7, 11) by opening the second valve (11) when the pressure of this gas supply is greater than a predetermined threshold value, and to open the first valve (7) when this measured pressure is lower than a predetermined threshold value, so as to fill the line between the two valves (7, 11) with the source (2, 3, 4) until the predetermined threshold value is reached or exceeded, and then to close the first valve (7) and open the second valve (11) so as to perform a leak test of the second tank (1) with the filled gas supply.

12. The device according to claim 11, characterized in that the line (5) comprises, between the first isolation valve (7) and the second isolation valve (11), a heat exchanger (9) for cooling the gas delivered to the tank (1) to be filled.

Technical Field

The invention relates to a method and a device for filling a tank with a gas under pressure.

More specifically, the invention relates to a method for filling a tank with a pressurized gas, in particular pressurized hydrogen, via a filling station comprising at least one source of pressurized gas and a fluid line for conveying said gas from said at least one source to said tank, said line comprising a first end connected to said at least one source of gas and a second end provided with a delivery pipe intended to be removably associated with the tank to be filled, said line comprising a first isolation valve between said first and second ends, means for regulating the flow or pressure and a second isolation valve, said method comprising filling a first tank and then a second tank in sequence, said method comprising, between the filling of said first tank and the filling of said second tank, a tightness test of the second tank associated in a sealed manner with the second end of said line, the leak test comprises placing the second tank under pressure at the end of filling of the first tank by opening the second valve, the first and second isolation valves being closed so as to trap/restrict/trap the supply of pressurized gas (i.e. a quantity of pressurized gas) in the line between the two valves.

The invention is advantageously suitable for filling pressurized hydrogen tanks rapidly (a few minutes) (for example, between 200 and 1000 bar). The invention is particularly suitable for filling fuel tanks of vehicles.

Background

Some standards (especially the SAEJ2601 standard) require that the tank be tested for tightness before it is filled. The leak test involves pressurizing the tank to be filled (in conjunction with the fill line in a sealed manner) and measuring one or more pressures in order to detect leaks between the tank, its line (its range), the station nozzle, the hose and the dispenser.

However, this solution may be ineffective in certain situations.

One known method includes using a source pressure memory to perform this leak test. However, this approach may result in excessive pressure spikes (amount of gas delivered per unit time).

Document EP 3271637 describes the use of gas trapped during the previous filling to perform a leak test. Document WO2011/049466a1 also describes the use of a volume of gas available in the pipe for filling.

However, these solutions are ineffective in some cases. This is because, if the pressure of the gas trapped in the line is lower than the pressure prevailing in the tank to be filled, leak testing may be ineffective (the appropriate valve is not open) and/or improperly filled due to improper assessment of the initial pressure in the tank to be filled.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present invention to overcome all or some of the disadvantages of the prior art described above.

To this end, the method according to the invention, which is furthermore characterized according to the general definition given for the method in the preamble above, is primarily characterized in that it comprises measuring the pressure of the gas supply trapped in the line between the two valves and, when the measured pressure is greater than a predetermined threshold value, performing a leak test of the second tank with the gas supply by opening the second valve, and when the measured pressure is less than the predetermined threshold value, the method comprises the phases: the method comprises filling a line between two valves with a gas source by opening a first valve, closing the first valve when the measured pressure in the line between the two valves reaches or exceeds a predetermined threshold, and subsequently performing a leak test of the second tank with the gas supply by opening a second valve.

Thus, the leak test is performed with only a certain volume of gas of the line section and with ensuring a sufficient pressure. This avoids both excessive pressure spikes and improper operation in the event that the pressure is insufficient to perform the test.

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

-said predetermined threshold value is between 300 and 900bar, in particular between 700 and 860bar,

-the predetermined threshold value is a pressure value that is greater than the pressure that exists in the second tank before the second tank is filled,

-the source comprises at least one pressurized gas storage tank, the phase of filling the line between the two valves being performed by pressure equalization with the pressurized gas storage tank,

-the circuit comprises one or more pipes with a thermal insulation layer at least between the first and the second isolation valve,

-the line comprises, between the first and second isolation valves, a heat exchanger for cooling the gas delivered to the tank to be filled,

-the first isolation valve is positioned in the line adjacent to the heat exchanger, that is to say closer to the heat exchanger than to the first end of the line, and preferably at the inlet of the heat exchanger,

-the second isolation valve is positioned in the line adjacent the second end of the line, that is, closer to the second end of the line than to the heat exchanger,

-the volume of the line between the first and second isolation valves is 0.00005m³To 0.01m³In the above-mentioned manner,

-the length of the line between the first and second isolation valves is between 1 and 50 meters, preferably between 2 and 30 meters.

The invention also relates to a device for filling a tank with a pressurized gas, in particular with pressurized hydrogen, comprising a filling station comprising at least one source of pressurized gas and a fluid line for conveying gas from said at least one source to said tank, said line comprising a first end connected to said at least one source of gas and a second end provided with a delivery pipe intended to be removably associated with the tank to be filled, said line comprising a first isolation valve between said first and second ends, means for regulating the flow or pressure and a second isolation valve, said station being suitable and configured for carrying out the sequential filling of a first tank and then a second tank, said filling station comprising electronic data processing and storage means in order to control said filling and in particular said valves, said electronic data processing and storage means being configured to carry out a leak test of a second tank joined in a sealed manner to the second end of said line, between the filling of said first tank and the filling of said second tank, the leak test comprising placing under pressure said second tank at the end of the filling of said first tank by opening said second valve, said electronic data processing and storage means being configured to close said first and second isolation valves so as to trap a supply of pressurized gas in the line between these two valves, said device comprising a pressure sensor in the line between these two valves, said electronic data processing and storage means being configured to carry out a leak test of said second tank with this gas supply by opening said second valve when the pressure of this gas supply trapped in the line between these two valves is greater than a predetermined threshold value, and when the measured pressure is below a predetermined threshold, opening the first valve to fill a line between the two valves with the source until the predetermined threshold is reached or exceeded, and then closing the first valve and opening the second valve to perform a leak test of the second tank with the filled gas supply.

According to one possible distinctive feature: the circuit includes a heat exchanger between the first and second isolation valves for cooling the gas delivered to the tank to be filled.

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

Drawings

Other distinguishing features and advantages will become apparent upon reading the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

fig. 1 schematically and partially shows an example of a gas filling station in which the present invention can be implemented.

Detailed Description

The filling station 100, shown schematically, comprises at least one source 2, 3, 4 of pressurized gas and a fluid line 5 for conveying gas from said at least one source to the reservoir 1 to be filled.

The at least one source 2, 3, 4 may comprise, for example, at least one of: one or more pressurized gas reservoirs, one or more compressors, etc. arranged in parallel. The station 100 may in particular use a plurality of pressurized tanks to perform the filling by continuous (cascade) pressure-balancing operations with the tank 1 to be filled, optionally supplemented or assisted by a compressor.

For example, reference may be made to documents FR 2928716 a1 and WO 2015001208 a2, which describe in more detail examples of the structure and operation of the filling station.

The line 5 comprises at least one first end (upstream side) connected to at least one gas source 2, 3, 4 and one second end (downstream side) provided with a delivery tube 6, in particular a hose, intended to be removably associated with the tank 1 to be filled.

The line 5 comprises, between the first and second ends, preferably arranged in series from upstream to downstream: a first isolation valve 7, means 8 for regulating the flow or pressure (pressure reducing valve, flow regulating valve, controlled regulator, valve of the proportional type or any other suitable means), a heat exchanger 9 for cooling the gas delivered to the tank 1 to be filled, and a second isolation valve 11.

Exchanger 9 (which is optional) is the means in which the gas is cooled to the target temperature. Of course, an arrangement of several exchangers with different structures making it possible to perform such cooling is conceivable.

After the cooling member 9 and the second isolation valve 11, the downstream end of the line may comprise in a known manner sensors, hoses and connections for coupling with the tank 1 of the vehicle to be filled.

The diagrammatic representation of fig. 1 depicts a minimum of components. Of course, the line 5 may generally comprise other devices, such as valves, sensors, etc., which may or may not be interposed between the components shown in the figures. Also, the order of the components may be modified. For example, the first isolation valve 7 may be located between the regulation member 8 and the exchanger 9, indeed even downstream of the exchanger 9.

The station may be used in the following manner.

During the filling of the tank 1 of the first vehicle, called "first tank", the process of filling the tank 1 usually ends around a maximum filling pressure (for example between 700bar and 875 bar), the cooling temperature being in the recommended range (for example between-17 ℃ and-40 ℃). Once the first tank 1 is completely filled, the filling station 100 can command the closing of the isolation valves 7, 11 of the dispensing lines.

The cooling member 9 is preferably in a predetermined operating mode awaiting the next vehicle. That is, the cooling circuit can be stopped or maintained at a maximum or reduced cooling rate relative to its maximum cooling to provide cooling capacity to the exchanger 9.

In this way, the whole line or lines of the line 5 between the two isolation valves 7, 11 are kept under pressure and optionally at a cooled temperature during the phase of waiting for the next vehicle.

That is to say that the pressurized supply of cold gas is trapped in the line 5 at the last moment (or seconds) of filling (end of filling).

Thus, when the next vehicle is present, the lines of line 5 remain cold (except for heat losses). The reservoir 1 of the second vehicle ("second reservoir" 1) can be filled.

Conventional preliminary tests may be carried out using the trapped gas (before filling according to the recommendations of the document SAE J2601 or according to any other filling practice or filling standard specific to each operator of the filling station). In particular, the gas is used to perform conventional tightness tests at sufficient pressure (and also at low temperature).

This therefore makes it possible to start filling the next tank with gas trapped in line 5. The gas which is already under pressure can advantageously already be cooled. In this way, a large part of the line of line 5 has thus already been precooled.

This makes it possible to avoid or limit the time for starting the cooling system and the preparatory phase in which the exchange between the gas to be cooled and the exchanger is not yet stable.

This also makes it possible to limit the devices that can prepare the pre-cooling gas before filling, for example to maintain the cooling system under maximum operating conditions or to have a pre-cooling loop that is permanently operating.

In case, for example, the filling of the first tank 1 ends after a time between 3 minutes and 5 minutes, the isolation valves 7, 11 are closed at the end of the filling.

The downstream end of the distribution line (in particular the hose) connected to the vehicle can be evacuated of its gas (downstream of the second isolation valve 11).

On the other hand, between the two isolation valves 7, 11, the length of the line may typically be between two and thirty meters. The part is therefore filled with hydrogen, for example at a pressure between 700bar and 875bar and at a temperature which may typically be between-40 ℃ and-17 ℃. The pipeline is preferably covered with a thermal insulation layer. The insulating layer is adapted to limit heat loss as much as possible and can maximize and prolong the effect of the present invention.

After a waiting time of typically one to twenty minutes, the gas may be heated slightly, but still remain in the low temperature range (e.g., -40 ℃ to-17 ℃).

A second vehicle may be present at station 100. The user can perform operations of connecting and authenticating his vehicle. Filling is then initiated, for example, by pressing a button or activating an indicator.

The first filling phase, for example comprising a leak test and/or a determination of the characteristics of the tank and the conditions of the filling line, may be performed with the gas contained between the isolation valves 7, 11 (in particular by opening the second valve 11).

After or during the use of the trapped gas, the process of filling the second tank 11 with pressurized gas may be continued.

In particular, the station performs a tightness test of the second tank 1, which is joined in a sealed manner to the second end of the line, with the gas trapped in the line between the two valves 7, 11.

Thus, at the end of the filling of the first tank 1, the first 7 and second 11 isolation valves are closed, so as to supply the pressurized gas in the line 5 trapped between these two valves 7, 11.

A measurement of the pressure of the gas supply trapped in the line 5 between the two valves 7, 11 can be performed. This pressure measurement may be made via one or more pressure sensors 13 in the line and/or via a presumption or any other means. This is because the trapped gas pressure is typically substantially equal to the pressure at the end of the filling of the previous tank (particularly in the case of filling by pressure equalization or "cascade"). This pressure is for example the pressure of the tank 1 at the end of filling and/or the pressure of the source at the end of filling.

When the measured pressure is greater than the predetermined threshold value, a leak test of the second tank 1 is performed with the gas supply by opening the second valve 11 (the first valve 7 is kept closed).

On the other hand, when the measured pressure is lower than the predetermined threshold, the station performs in advance a phase of filling (or pressure increase) the line between the two valves 7, 11 with the gas sources 2, 3, 4 by opening the first valve 7 (the other valve 11 remains closed). This filling may be performed, for example, by pressure equalization with the high-pressure source tank 2.

When the filling or pressure rise is sufficient (when the pressure in the line 5 between the two valves 7, 11 reaches or exceeds a predetermined threshold), the first valve 7 may be closed. Subsequently, the second tank 1 can be leak tested with the gas supply by opening the second valve 11 (the first valve 7 remains closed).

The predetermined pressure threshold value may be a fixed value between 300bar and 900bar and in particular between 700bar and 860 bar.

Also, the predetermined threshold value may be a variable pressure value selected to be greater than the pressure in the second tank 1 before filling the second tank 1.

Thus, the above method ensures that the leak test is possible and satisfactory even if the filling of the first tank 1 is partial (for example, the pressure at the end of the filling is 300bar) and the pressure of the second tank to be filled has reached a higher pressure (for example, 400 bar).

Thus, according to this solution, the source (in particular the tank 2 at high pressure) is not directly connected to the tank 1 to be filled for leak testing. This may avoid excessive pressure spikes and may also avoid flow spikes (particularly limited by the SAEJ2601 standard).

Furthermore, the above solution can guarantee sufficient pressure in the line to perform an effective and completely safe leak test.