Patent ID: 6182717
Filing Date: 2001-02-06
Classification: B60K,C01B,F17C,Y02E

Abstract:
A process for filling hydrogen into a hydrogen storage tank in an automobile, the hydrogen being supplied from a hydrogen station including a hydrogen supply tank having a metal hydride with hydrogen absorbed therein, to said hydrogen storage tank having a metal hydride, the process comprising the steps of:(a) circulating a heat transfer medium from said hydrogen supply tank to said hydrogen storage tank, cooling said metal hydride in said hydrogen storage tank with said heat transfer medium, said metal hydride having been heated by prior absorption of hydrogen therein, the cooling of said metal hydride causing the absorption of hydrogen in said metal hydride, in said storage tank,(b) circulating said raised temperature heat transfer medium from said hydrogen storage tank to said hydrogen supply tank, heating said metal hydride in said hydrogen supply tank with said heat transfer medium, the heating of said metal hydride with said heat transfer medium causing the release of hydrogen from said metal hydride in said supply tank, and(c) recirculating the heat transfer medium from said hydrogen supply tank to said hydrogen storage tank, cooling said metal hydride in said hydrogen storage tank with said heat transfer medium, said metal hydride having been heated by prior absorption of hydrogen therein, the cooling of said metal hydride causing the absorption of hydrogen in said metal hydride, in said storage tank, and circulating said raised temperature heat transfer medium from said hydrogen storage tank to said hydrogen supply tank, heating said metal hydride in said hydrogen supply tank with said heat transfer medium, the heating of said metal hydride with said heat transfer medium causing the release of hydrogen from said metal hydride in said supply tank.