PROCESS AND DEVICE FOR FILLING TANKS WITH PRESSURIZED GAS

Abstract

Leak testing is performed after filling a first tank with pressurized gas and before filling a second tank with the same via a filling circuit including first and second isolation valves. After the first tank is filled, the pressure of gas trapped between the two closed isolation valves is measured. If the pressure is below a predetermined threshold, the first isolation valve is opened until the pressure reaches or exceeds the predetermined threshold, at which time the first isolation valve is closed and the second isolation valve is opened so that the leak test may be performed. If the pressure is otherwise at or above the threshold, the leak test is performed.

Claims

1. A process for filling tanks with pressurized gas via a filling station comprising at least one source of pressurized gas and a fluid circuit for the transfer of the gas from the at least one source to the tanks, the circuit comprising a first end connected to the at least one source of pressurized gas and a second end provided with a transfer pipe intended to be joined in removable fashion to the tanks to be filled, the circuit comprising, positioned between the first end and the second end, a first isolation valve, a member for regulation of flow rate or pressure, and a second so isolation valve, said process comprising the steps of: successive fillings of a first vehicle tank and then of a second vehicle tank; and in between the filling of the first vehicle tank and the filling of the second vehicle tank, performing a leak test on the second vehicle tank which is joined in leaktight fashion to the second end of the circuit, the leak test comprising: closing the first and second isolation valves in order to trap a supply of the pressurized gas in the circuit between the first and second isolation valves; measuring a pressure of the supply of gas trapped in the circuit between the first and second isolation valves; and placing the second tank under pressure via the opening of the second isolation valve at the end of the filling of the first vehicle tank, wherein, when the measured pressure is lower than a predetermined threshold, and before said leak test is performed, said process further comprises the steps of filling the circuit between the first and second isolation valves with the at least one source of pressurized gas via an opening of the first isolation valve and closing the first isolation valve when the measured pressure reaches or exceeds the predetermined threshold.

2. The process of claim 1, wherein the predetermined threshold is between 300 bar and 900 bar.

3. The process of claim 1, wherein the predetermined threshold is between 700 and 860 bar.

4. The process of claim 1, wherein the predetermined threshold is a pressure value greater than a pressure prevailing in the second tank before the second vehicle tank is filled.

5. The process of claim 1, wherein the at least one source of pressurized gas comprises at least one pressurized gas storage tank and said step of filling the circuit between the first and second isolation valves is carried out by pressure balancing with the at least one pressurized storage tank.

6. The process of claim 1, wherein at least between the first and second isolation valves, the circuit comprises one or more thermally insulated pipes.

7. The process of claim 1, wherein the circuit further comprises, between the first isolation valve and the second isolation valve, a heat exchanger for cooling the pressurized gas being transferred to the first and second vehicle tanks to be filled,

8. The process of claim 7, wherein the first isolation valve is disposed at a position in the circuit adjacent to the heat exchanger so that the first isolation valve is closer to the heat exchanger than the first isolation is to the first end of the circuit.

9. The process of claim 8, wherein the first isolation valve is located at an inlet of the heat exchanger.

10. The process of claim 7, wherein the second isolation valve is disposed at a position in the circuit adjacent to the second end of the circuit so that the second isolation valve is closer to the second end of the circuit than the second isolation valve is to the heat exchanger.

11. The process of claim 1, wherein a volume of the circuit in between the first and second isolation valves is between 0.00005 m.sup.3 and 0.01 m.sup.3.

12. The process of claim 1, wherein a length of the circuit between the first and second isolation valves is between one and fifty meters.

13. The process of claim 1, wherein a length of the circuit between the first and second isolation valves is between two and thirty meters.

14. The process of claim 1, wherein the pressurized gas is hydrogen.

15. A filling station for filling tanks with pressurized gas, comprising at least one source of pressurized gas, a fluid circuit for the transfer of the gas from the at least one source to the tanks, and an electronic data processing and storage member, wherein the circuit comprises a first end connected to the at least one source of pressurized gas, a second end provided with a transfer pipe intended to be joined in removable fashion to the tanks to be filled, a first isolation valve positioned between the first and second ends, a member for regulation of flow rate or pressure, a second isolation valve, and a pressure sensor disposed between the first and second isolation valves, the station being suitable and configured for carrying out successive fillings of a first tank and then a second tank, the electronic data processing and storage member being adapted and configured to control the successive fillings and the first and second isolation valves and carry out a leak test between the filling of the first tank and the filling of the second tank during which the second tank is joined in leaktight fashion to the second end of the circuit, the leak test comprising the step of placing the second tank under pressure via an opening of the second valve at the end of the filling of the first tank, the electronic data processing and storage member being configured to: close the first and second isolation valves in order to trap a supply of pressurized gas in the circuit between these two valves; when the pressure of the trapped pressurized gas measured by the pressure sensor is greater than a predetermined threshold, cause performance of said leak test; and when the pressure of the trapped pressurized gas measured by the pressure sensor is lower than the predetermined threshold, cause the first isolation valve to open in order to fill the circuit between the first and second isolation valves with the pressurized gas from the at least one source of pressurized gas until the predetermined threshold is reached or exceeded and subsequently cause the first isolation valve to close and cause performance of said leak test.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein the circuit further comprises a heat exchanger for cooling the pressurized gas transferred to the tank to be filled that is disposed in between the first and second isolation valves.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0025] FIG. 1 diagrammatically and partially represents an example of a gas filling station which the invention can implement.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] The filling station 100 diagrammatically illustrated comprises at least one source 2, 3, 4 of pressurized gas and a fluid circuit 5 for transfer of the gas from the at least one source to the reservoirs 1 to be filled.

[0027] The at least one source 2, 3, 4 can comprise, for example, at least one from: a pressurized gas store or pressurized stores positioned in parallel, one or more compressors, and the like. The station 100 can in particular use several pressurized tanks to carry out a filling by successive (cascaded) pressure balancing operations with the tank 1 to be filled (optionally supplemented or assisted by a compressor).

[0028] Reference may be made, for example, to the documents FR 2 928 716 A1 and WO 2015001208 A2, which describe, in more detail, structural and operating examples of filling stations.

[0029] The circuit 5 comprises at least one first end connected to at least one source 2, 3, 4 of gas (upstream side) and one second end (downstream side) provided with a transfer pipe 6, in particular a hose, intended to be joined in removable fashion to the tanks 1 to be filled.

[0030] The circuit 5 comprises, preferably positioned in series from upstream to downstream, between the first end and the second end: a first isolation valve 7, a member 8 for regulation of flow rate or pressure (pressure reducing valve, flow regulating valve, controlled regulator, valve of proportional type or any other appropriate member), a heat exchanger 9 for cooling the gas transferred to the tank 1 to be filled and a second isolation valve 11.

[0031] The exchanger 9 (which is optional) is a member in which the gas is cooled to the target temperature. Of course, the arrangement of several exchangers having different structures which make it possible to carry out this cooling can be envisaged.

[0032] After the cooling member 9 and the second isolation valve 11, the downstream end of the circuit can comprise, in a known way, sensors, hoses and connections for joining to the tanks 1 of the vehicles to be filled.

[0033] The diagrammatic representation of [FIG. 1] describes a minimum of components. Of course, the circuit 5 can conventionally comprise other items of equipment, such as valves, sensors, and the like, inserted or not between the components illustrated in the figure. Likewise, the order of the components can be modified. For example, the first isolation valve 7 can be located between the regulation member 8 and the exchanger 9, indeed even downstream of the exchanger 9.

[0034] The station can be used as follows.

[0035] During a filling of the tank 1 of a first vehicle, known as first tank, the end of the process for filling the tank 1 generally takes place in the vicinity of the maximum filling pressure (between 700 bar and 875 bar, for example) with a cooling temperature in the recommended ranges (for example between 17 C. and 40 C.). Once the first tank 1 is completely filled, the filling station 100 can order the closing of the isolation valves 7, 11 of the distribution line.

[0036] The cooling member 9 is preferably in a predefined operational mode of waiting for the following vehicle. What this means to say is that a cooling circuit providing frigories to the exchanger 9 can be halted or maintained with a maximum cooling rate or with a reduced cooling rate, with respect to its maximum cooling.

[0037] In this way, in the phase of waiting for the following vehicle, the whole of the line or of the lines of the circuit 5 located between the two isolation valves 7, 11 remains under pressure and optionally at a cooled temperature.

[0038] What this means to say is that a supply of pressurized and cold gas is trapped in the circuit 5 at the conditions of the final moments (or seconds) of the filling (end of filling).

[0039] Thus, when the following vehicle appears, the line of the circuit 5 is kept cold (with the exception of the heat losses). The tank 1 of this second vehicle (second tank 1) can be filled.

[0040] Conventional preliminary tests (prior to the filling according to the recommendations of the document SAE J2601 or in accordance with any other filling practice or filling standard specific to each operator of a filling station) can be carried out with the trapped gas. In particular, the gas is used to carry out conventional leaktightness tests at a sufficient pressure (and also with a cold temperature).

[0041] This thus makes it possible to begin the filling of the following tank with a gas trapped in the circuit 5. This gas, which is already under pressure, can advantageously be already cooled. In this way, a not insignificant part of the lines of the circuit 5 is thus already pre-cooled.

[0042] This makes it possible to avoid or to limit the time for starting up the cooling system and the preliminary phase, where the exchange between the gas to be cooled and the exchanger has not yet stabilized.

[0043] This also makes it possible to limit the devices which make it possible to prepare pre-cooled gas before the filling, such as, for example, the maintenance of the cooling system at maximum operating conditions or the presence of a permanently operating pre-cooling loop.

[0044] In the case, for example, of a filling of a first tank 1 which ends after a time of between 3 min and 5 min. On conclusion of this filling, the isolation valves 7, 11 are closed.

[0045] The downstream end of the distribution line (hose in particular) connected to the vehicle can be emptied 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 circuit can typically be between two metres and thirty metres. This portion is thus filled with hydrogen, for example at a pressure of between 700 bar and 875 bar and at a temperature which can typically be between 40 C. and 17 C. This line is preferably lagged. This thermal insulation is suitable for limiting the heat losses as much as possible and can make it possible to maximize and prolong the effects of the invention.

[0046] After a waiting time typically of the order of one to twenty minutes, the gas may have heated up slightly but remains within a cold temperature range (40 C. to 17 C., for example).

[0047] A second vehicle can appear at the station 100. The user can carry out the operations of connecting and authenticating his vehicle. The filling is subsequently begun, for example by pressing on a button or a start indicator.

[0048] The first filling stage, for example comprising a leak test, and/or a determination of the characteristics of the tank and of the conditions of the filling line, can be carried out with the gas contained between the isolation valves 7, 11 (in particular via the opening of the second valve 11).

[0049] After or during the use of the trapped gas, the process of filling the second tank 11 can be continued with the pressurized gas.

[0050] In particular, the station carries out a leaktightness test on the second tank 1 joined in leaktight fashion to the second end of the circuit with the gas trapped in the circuit between the two valves 7, 11.

[0051] Thus, at the end of the filling of the first tank 1, the first 7 and second 11 isolation valves are closed in order to trap a pressurized gas supply in the circuit 5 between these two valves 7, 11.

[0052] A measurement of the pressure of the gas supply trapped in the circuit 5 between these two valves 7, 11 can be carried out. This pressure measurement can be carried out via one or more pressure sensors 13 in the circuit and/or via an estimation or any other means. This is because this trapped pressure of gas is generally substantially equal to the pressure at the end of filling of the preceding tank (in particular in the case of filling by pressure balancing 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.

[0053] When this measured pressure is greater than a predetermined threshold, the leak test on the second tank 1 is carried out with the gas supply via the opening of the second valve 11 (the first valve 7 remaining closed).

[0054] On the other hand, when this measured pressure is lower than the predetermined threshold, the station carries out beforehand a stage of filling (or of rise in pressure) of the circuit between the two valves 7, 11 with a source 2, 3, 4 of gas via an opening of the first valve 7 (the other valve 11 remaining closed). This filling can be carried out, for example, by pressure balancing with a high-pressure source tank 2.

[0055] When this filling or rise in pressure is sufficient (when this pressure in the circuit 5 between these two valves 7, 11 reaches or exceeds the predetermined threshold), the first valve 7 can be closed. The leak test on the second tank 1 can subsequently be carried out with the gas supply via the opening of the second valve 11 (the first valve 7 remaining closed).

[0056] The predetermined pressure threshold can be a fixed value between 300 bar and 900 bar and in particular between 700 and 860 bar.

[0057] Likewise, this predetermined threshold can be a variable pressure value which is chosen in order to be greater than the pressure in the second tank 1 before filling the latter.

[0058] Thus, even if the filling of the first tank 1 has been partial (pressure of end of filling of 300 bar, for example) and if the second tank to be filled arrives with a pressure which is already higher (for example 400 bar), the above process makes it possible to make sure that the leak test will be possible and satisfactory.

[0059] Thus, according to this solution, the source (tank 2 at high pressure in particular) is not directly connected to the tank 1 to be filled for the leak test. This makes it possible to avoid excessively great pressure peaks and also to avoid flow rate peaks (which are in particular limited by Standard SAEJ2601).

[0060] Furthermore, the above solution makes it possible to guarantee a sufficient pressure in the circuit for an effective and completely safe leak test.

[0061] While the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims. The present invention may suitably comprise, consist or consist essentially of the elements disclosed and may be practiced in the absence of an element not disclosed. Furthermore, if there is language referring to order, such as first and second, it should be understood in an exemplary sense and not in a limiting sense. For example, it can be recognized by those skilled in the art that certain steps can be combined into a single step.

[0062] The singular forms a, an and the include plural referents, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0063] Comprising in a claim is an open transitional term which means the subsequently identified claim elements are a nonexclusive listing i.e. anything else may be additionally included and remain within the scope of comprising. Comprising is defined herein as necessarily encompassing the more limited transitional terms consisting essentially of and consisting of; comprising may therefore be replaced by consisting essentially of or consisting of and remain within the expressly defined scope of comprising.

[0064] Providing in a claim is defined to mean furnishing, supplying, making available, or preparing something. The step may be performed by any actor in the absence of express language in the claim to the contrary.

[0065] Optional or optionally means that the subsequently described event or circumstances may or may not occur. The description includes instances where the event or circumstance occurs and instances where it does not occur.

[0066] Ranges may be expressed herein as from about one particular value, and/or to about another particular value. When such a range is expressed, it is to be understood that another embodiment is from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value, along with all combinations within said range.

[0067] Ali references identified herein are each hereby incorporated by reference into this application in their entireties, as well as for the specific information for which each is cited.