Patent Description:
Hydrogen energy is internationally recognized as the future green energy with the advantages of high energy efficiency, wide source, renewability, zero pollution of combustion products and the like. In recent years, many countries and regions, including the United States, Japan, China, South Korea and the European Union, have been vigorously developing hydrogen energy automobiles and actively building hydrogen filling stations and related hydrogen energy infrastructures. Using hydrogen as power has become an important application direction in the field of new energy. Hydrogen is used to fill fuel cell vehicles through a hydrogen dispenser of a hydrogen filling station, and is stored in a vehicle-mounted hydrogen cylinder in the form of high pressure.

In the prior art, the hydrogen filling station usually uses a compressor-storage tank structure, and the compressor is used to compress hydrogen and charge the storage tank with the hydrogen. For a common <NUM> MPa hydrogen filling station, three <NUM> MPa storage tanks are arranged to provide hydrogen to a <NUM> MPa hydrogen dispenser, and one <NUM> MPa compressor is arranged to inflate and pressurize the three <NUM> MPa storage tanks. For a common <NUM> MPa hydrogen filling station, three <NUM> MPa storage tanks are arranged to provide hydrogen to a <NUM> MPa hydrogen dispenser, and one <NUM> MPa compressor is arranged to inflate and pressurize the three <NUM> MPa storage tanks. The use of the <NUM> MPa compressor to inflate and pressurize the three <NUM> MPa storage tanks throughout the process requires higher requirements for the <NUM> MPa compressor. At the same time, operating the <NUM> MPa compressor throughout the process will also produce more power consumption. <CIT> discloses a hydrogenation station double-compressor operation control system.

An objective of embodiments of the present application is to provide a hydrogen filling station control system and method and a hydrogen filling station. The hydrogen filling station control system and method and the hydrogen filling station can save the cost of the compressors and reduce the power consumption. According to a first aspect, a hydrogen filling station control system is provided according to claim <NUM>. According to a second aspect, a hydrogen filling station control method for execution by the hydrogen filling station control system of the first aspect is provided according to claim <NUM>. According to a third aspect, a hydrogen filling station comprising the hydrogen filling station control system of the first aspect is provided according to claim <NUM>. According to a fourth aspect, a machine-readable storage medium is provided according to claim <NUM>. According to a fifth aspect, a processor is provided according to claim <NUM>.

In order to achieve the above object, an example of the present invention provides a hydrogen filling station control system, comprising: a first compressor, a second compressor, a first storage tank, a detector and a controller, wherein a discharge pressure of the first compressor is smaller than a gas storage pressure of the first storage tank, a discharge pressure of the second compressor is larger than or equal to the gas storage pressure of the first storage tank, the first compressor and the second compressor are connected to the first storage tank, and the detector is configured to detect a pressure of the first storage tank; and the controller is configured to: control the first compressor to inflate and pressurize the first storage tank; and control, when the pressure of the first storage tank is equal to a first preset pressure, the second compressor to inflate and pressurize the first storage tank.

Preferably, the system further comprises a second storage tank, wherein the discharge pressure of the first compressor is larger than or equal to a gas storage pressure of the second storage tank, the first compressor and the second compressor are also connected to the second storage tank, and the detector is also configured to detect a pressure of the second storage tank; and the controller is also configured to: control the first compressor to inflate and pressurize the second storage tank; and control, when the pressure of the second storage tank is equal to a second preset pressure, the second compressor to inflate and pressurize the second storage tank.

Preferably, the number of the first storage tank is <NUM>, and the number of the second storage tanks is <NUM>.

Preferably, the system further comprises: a first hydrogen dispenser, configured to fill a hydrogen storage cylinder of a user using hydrogen with hydrogen, wherein the gas storage pressure of the second storage tank is smaller than a filling pressure of the first hydrogen dispenser, the gas storage pressure of the first storage tank is larger than or equal to the filling pressure of the first hydrogen dispenser, the first storage tank and the second storage tank are connected to the first hydrogen dispenser, and the detector is also configured to detect a pressure of the hydrogen storage cylinder; and the controller is configured to: control the second storage tank to provide hydrogen to the first hydrogen dispenser; and control, when the pressure of the hydrogen storage cylinder is equal to a third preset pressure, the first storage tank to provide hydrogen to the first hydrogen dispenser.

Preferably, the system further comprises: a second hydrogen dispenser, wherein a discharge pressure of the second storage tank is larger than or equal to a filling pressure of the second hydrogen dispenser, the first storage tank and the second storage tank are connected to the second hydrogen dispenser, and the controller is also configured to: control the second storage tank to provide hydrogen to the second hydrogen dispenser; and control, when the pressure of the hydrogen storage cylinder is equal to a fourth preset pressure, the first storage tank to provide hydrogen to the second hydrogen dispenser.

Preferably, the discharge pressure of the first compressor is <NUM> MPa, and the discharge pressure of the second compressor is <NUM> MPa; and the gas storage pressure of the first storage tank is <NUM> MPa, and the gas storage pressure of the second storage tank is <NUM> MPa.

Preferably, the filling pressure of the first hydrogen dispenser is <NUM> MPa, and the filling pressure of the second hydrogen dispenser is <NUM> MPa.

An example of the present invention also provides a hydrogen filling station control method, wherein the method uses a first compressor, a second compressor and a first storage tank, wherein a discharge pressure of the first compressor is smaller than a gas storage pressure of the first storage tank, and a discharge pressure of the second compressor is larger than or equal to the gas storage pressure of the first storage tank, the method comprising: detecting a pressure of the first storage tank; controlling the first compressor to inflate and pressurize the first storage tank; and controlling, when the pressure of the first storage tank is equal to a first preset pressure, the second compressor to inflate and pressurize the first storage tank.

Preferably, the method also uses a second storage tank, wherein the discharge pressure of the first compressor is larger than or equal to a gas storage pressure of the second storage tank, the method further comprising: detecting a pressure of the second storage tank; controlling the first compressor to inflate and pressurize the second storage tank; and controlling, when the pressure of the second storage tank is equal to a second preset pressure, the second compressor to inflate and pressurize the second storage tank.

Preferably, the method also uses a first hydrogen dispenser configured to fill a hydrogen storage cylinder of a user using hydrogen with hydrogen, wherein the gas storage pressure of the second storage tank is smaller than a filling pressure of the first hydrogen dispenser, and the gas storage pressure of the first storage tank is larger than or equal to the filling pressure of the first hydrogen dispenser, the method comprising: detecting a pressure of the hydrogen storage cylinder; controlling the second storage tank to provide hydrogen to the first hydrogen dispenser; and controlling, when the pressure of the hydrogen storage cylinder is equal to a third preset pressure, the first storage tank to provide hydrogen to the first hydrogen dispenser.

Preferably, the method also uses a second hydrogen dispenser, wherein the discharge pressure of the second storage tank is larger than or equal to a filling pressure of the second hydrogen dispenser, the method further comprising: controlling the second storage tank to provide hydrogen to the second hydrogen dispenser; and controlling, when the pressure of the hydrogen storage cylinder is equal to a fourth preset pressure, the first storage tank to provide hydrogen to the second hydrogen dispenser. An example of the present invention also provides a hydrogen filling station, comprising the hydrogen filling station control system.

An example of the present invention also provides a machine-readable storage medium, wherein the machine-readable storage medium stores an instruction thereon for making a machine execute the hydrogen filling station control method.

An example of the present invention also provides a processor, wherein the processor is configured to run a program and the program is configured to execute the hydrogen filling station control method when being run.

Through the above technical solutions, the hydrogen filling station control system and method and the hydrogen filling station provided by the present application are adopted. The hydrogen filling station control system includes: a first compressor, a second compressor, a first storage tank, a detector and a controller, wherein the detector is used to detect a pressure of the first storage tank, and the controller is used to execute the following control: for the first storage tank with a larger gas storage pressure, the first compressor with a smaller discharge pressure is firstly used for gas charging and pressurizing, and when the pressure of the first storage tank is equal to a first preset pressure, the second compressor with a larger discharge pressure is used for gas charging and pressurizing. The second compressor with a smaller gas displacement can be arranged to save the cost of the compressor and reduce the power consumption.

Other features and advantages of the embodiments of the present application will be described in detail in the Detailed Description of the Embodiments below.

The accompanying drawings are intended to provide a further understanding of the embodiments of the present application and constitute a part of the description. The accompanying drawings are used to explain the embodiments of the present application together with the Detailed Description of the Embodiments below, but do not constitute a limitation to the embodiments of the present application. In the accompanying drawings:.

Specific implementations of embodiments of the present application will be described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the specific implementations described herein are merely illustrative of the embodiments of the present application and are not intended to limit the embodiments of the present application.

<FIG> is a schematic structural diagram of a hydrogen filling station control system provided by an embodiment of the present application. As shown in <FIG>, the system includes: a first compressor <NUM>, a second compressor <NUM>, a first storage tank <NUM>, a detector and a controller, wherein a discharge pressure of the first compressor <NUM> is smaller than a gas storage pressure of the first storage tank <NUM>, a discharge pressure of the second compressor <NUM> is larger than or equal to the gas storage pressure of the first storage tank <NUM>, the first compressor <NUM> and the second compressor <NUM> are connected to the first storage tank <NUM>, and the detector is configured to detect a pressure of the first storage tank <NUM>; and the controller is configured to: control the first compressor <NUM> to inflate and pressurize the first storage tank <NUM>; and control, when the pressure of the first storage tank <NUM> is equal to a first preset pressure, the second compressor <NUM> to inflate and pressurize the first storage tank <NUM>.

In the embodiment of the present application, the hydrogen filling station uses two compressors with different discharge pressures to compress hydrogen, namely, the first compressor <NUM> with a smaller discharge pressure and the second compressor <NUM> with a larger discharge pressure. Preferably, the discharge pressure of the first compressor <NUM> may be <NUM> MPa, and the discharge pressure of the second compressor <NUM> may be <NUM> MPa. In addition, the hydrogen filling station is also provided with a storage tank for receiving hydrogen compressed by the compressors, for example, the first storage tank <NUM>. Compared with the two compressors used by the hydrogen filling station, the gas storage pressure of the first storage tank <NUM> is relatively close to the discharge pressure of the second compressor <NUM>, and preferably, the gas storage pressure of the first storage tank <NUM> may be <NUM> MPa.

The controller may control the hydrogen to enter the first storage tank <NUM> by controlling valves, for example, a valve mounted between the first compressor <NUM> with a smaller discharge pressure and the first storage tank <NUM> and a valve between the second compressor <NUM> with a larger discharge pressure and the first storage tank <NUM>. When a person wants to control a certain compressor to inflate and pressurize the first storage tank <NUM>, the valve corresponding to the compressor may be opened, and the compressor may be started. When the person wants to control the compressor to stop gas charging and pressurizing, the valve corresponding to the compressor may be closed, and the compressor may be stopped. The detector may be located in the first storage tank <NUM> to detect the pressure of the first storage tank <NUM>.

The first compressor <NUM> with the discharge pressure smaller than the gas storage pressure of the first storage tank <NUM> is firstly used to inflate and pressurize the first storage tank <NUM>, and when the pressure of the first storage tank <NUM> is equal to the first preset pressure, the second compressor <NUM> with the discharge pressure larger than or equal to the gas storage pressure of the first storage tank <NUM> (for example, the discharge pressure is <NUM> MPa) is then used to inflate and pressurize the first storage tank <NUM>. The first preset pressure may be smaller than the discharge pressure of the first compressor <NUM>, or may be preferably equal to the discharge pressure of the first compressor <NUM>. For example, when the discharge pressure of the first compressor <NUM> is <NUM> MPa, the first preset pressure may be smaller than or equal to <NUM> MPa. This embodiment may reduce the load of the second compressor <NUM> as much as possible, so that the second compressor <NUM> with a smaller gas displacement may be arranged, thereby reducing the cost of the compressors, and at the same time, the time for operating the second compressor <NUM> is reduced, thereby reducing the power consumption.

<FIG> is a schematic structural diagram of a hydrogen filling station control system provided by another embodiment of the present application. As shown in <FIG>, the system further includes a second storage tank <NUM>. The discharge pressure of the first compressor <NUM> is larger than or equal to a gas storage pressure of the second storage tank <NUM>, the first compressor <NUM> and the second compressor <NUM> are also connected to the second storage tank <NUM>, and the detector is also configured to detect a pressure of the second storage tank <NUM>. The controller is also configured to: control the first compressor <NUM> to inflate and pressurize the second storage tank <NUM>; and control, when the pressure of the second storage tank <NUM> is equal to a second preset pressure, the second compressor <NUM> to inflate and pressurize the second storage tank <NUM>.

Based on the operating needs of the hydrogen filling station, storage tanks with different gas storage pressures may be arranged. For the second storage tank <NUM> with the gas storage pressure smaller than or equal to the discharge pressure of the first compressor <NUM> (preferably, the gas storage pressure may be <NUM> MPa), in the embodiment of the present application, the first compressor <NUM> with a smaller discharge pressure (for example, with a discharge pressure of <NUM> MPa) may be firstly controlled to inflate and pressurize the second storage tank <NUM>, and then the second compressor <NUM> with a larger discharge pressure (for example, with a discharge pressure of <NUM> MPa) is controlled to inflate and pressurize the second storage tank <NUM>. In this embodiment, the basis for switching the first compressor <NUM> to the second compressor <NUM> is whether the pressure of the second storage tank <NUM> reaches the second preset pressure. In this regard, the detector may be arranged in the second storage tank <NUM> to detect the pressure of the second storage tank <NUM>, and the second preset pressure is preferably <NUM>%-<NUM>% of the gas storage pressure of the second storage tank <NUM>. The controller may also control the hydrogen to enter the second storage tank <NUM> by controlling a valve arranged between the second storage tank <NUM> and the compressor in a way similar to controlling the valve arranged between the first storage tank <NUM> and the compressor described above.

When the gas charging and pressurizing are about to be completed, still using the first compressor <NUM> with a pressure closer to a gas storage pressure of the second storage tank <NUM> for gas charging and pressurizing may make the gas charging and pressurizing efficiency lower. By using the above manner to inflate and pressurize the second storage tank <NUM>, when the gas charging and pressurizing are about to be completed, using the compressor with a larger discharge pressure may make the gas charging and pressurizing efficiency higher.

<FIG> is a schematic structural diagram of a hydrogen filling station control system provided by another embodiment of the present application. As shown in <FIG>, the number of the first storage tank <NUM> is <NUM>, and the number of the second storage tanks <NUM> is <NUM>, but the present application is not limited to this. The number of the first storage tank <NUM> and the number of the second storage tank <NUM> can be adjusted according to actual needs.

In this embodiment, one first storage tank <NUM> and two second storage tanks <NUM> form an optimal multistage gas storage structure. When hydrogen needs to be provided to the hydrogen dispenser, regardless of the filling pressure of the hydrogen dispenser, the three storage tanks may all provide hydrogen in a relay manner. For example, when the pressure of one of the second storage tanks <NUM> is getting lower and lower and is not enough to meet the filling demand, the hydrogen dispenser may take hydrogen from the other second storage tank <NUM>, and when the pressure of this second storage tank <NUM> is also not enough to meet the filling demand or the filling is about to end, hydrogen may be taken from the first storage tank <NUM>, which is beneficial to reduce the energy consumption of the compressors. More specific methods for taking hydrogen will be described in detail below.

<FIG> is a schematic structural diagram of a hydrogen filling station control system provided by another embodiment of the present application. As shown in <FIG>, the system further includes: a first hydrogen dispenser <NUM> configured to fill a hydrogen storage cylinder of a user using hydrogen with hydrogen, wherein the gas storage pressure of the second storage tank <NUM> is smaller than a filling pressure of the first hydrogen dispenser <NUM>, the gas storage pressure of the first storage tank <NUM> is larger than or equal to the filling pressure of the first hydrogen dispenser <NUM>, the first storage tank <NUM> and the second storage tank <NUM> are connected to the first hydrogen dispenser <NUM>, and the detector is also configured to detect a pressure of the hydrogen storage cylinder; and the controller is configured to: control the second storage tank <NUM> to provide hydrogen to the first hydrogen dispenser <NUM>; and control, when the pressure of the hydrogen storage cylinder is equal to a third preset pressure, the first storage tank <NUM> to provide hydrogen to the first hydrogen dispenser <NUM>.

In the embodiment of the present application, the hydrogen filling station may fill the hydrogen storage cylinder with a hydrogen dispenser, for example, a hydrogen dispenser with a higher filling pressure, that is, the first hydrogen dispenser <NUM>, and preferably, the filling pressure may be <NUM> MPa. The first hydrogen dispenser <NUM> may be provided with hydrogen by the first storage tank <NUM> with a larger gas storage pressure (for example, a gas storage pressure of <NUM> MPa) and the second storage tank <NUM> with a smaller gas storage pressure (for example, a gas storage pressure of <NUM> MPa). The controller may control the first hydrogen dispenser <NUM> to take hydrogen from the first storage tank <NUM> and the second storage tank <NUM> by controlling valves, for example, valves mounted between the first storage tank <NUM> and the first hydrogen dispenser <NUM> and between the second storage tank <NUM> and the first hydrogen dispenser <NUM>. When a person wants to control the first hydrogen dispenser <NUM> to take hydrogen from a certain storage tank, the valve corresponding to the storage tank may be opened. When the person wants to control the hydrogen dispenser to stop taking hydrogen, the valve corresponding to the storage tank may be closed. The detector may be located in the first hydrogen dispenser <NUM>.

The second storage tank <NUM> with the gas storage pressure of smaller than the filling pressure of the first hydrogen dispenser <NUM> (for example, the gas storage pressure is <NUM> MPa) is firstly used to provide hydrogen to the first hydrogen dispenser <NUM>, and when the pressure of the hydrogen storage cylinder is equal to a third preset pressure, the first storage tank <NUM> with the gas storage pressure of larger than the filling pressure of the first hydrogen dispenser <NUM> (for example, the gas storage pressure is <NUM> MPa) is used to provide hydrogen to the first hydrogen dispenser <NUM>. Due to the pipeline pressure drop in the hydrogen filling process, the outlet pressure of the hydrogen dispenser is actually about <NUM> MPa lower than the gas storage pressure, and therefore, the third preset pressure may be smaller than the gas storage pressure of the second storage tank <NUM>, and is generally preferably close to the gas storage pressure of the second storage tank <NUM>. For example, when the gas storage pressure of the second storage tank <NUM> is <NUM> MPa, the third preset pressure may be smaller than or equal to <NUM> MPa. In this embodiment, it is not necessary to use the first storage tank <NUM> with a larger gas storage pressure to provide hydrogen throughout the process, which can save the hydrogen consumption of the first storage tank <NUM> as much as possible, enhance the filling capacity and reduce the energy consumption of the compressors.

<FIG> is a schematic structural diagram of a hydrogen filling station control system provided by another embodiment of the present application. As shown in <FIG>, the system further includes: a second hydrogen dispenser <NUM>, wherein a discharge pressure of the second storage tank <NUM> is larger than or equal to a filling pressure of the second hydrogen dispenser <NUM>, the first storage tank <NUM> and the second storage tank <NUM> are connected to the second hydrogen dispenser <NUM>, and the controller is also configured to: control the second storage tank <NUM> to provide hydrogen to the second hydrogen dispenser <NUM>; and control, when the pressure of the hydrogen storage cylinder is equal to a fourth preset pressure, the first storage tank <NUM> to provide hydrogen to the second hydrogen dispenser <NUM>.

Based on different hydrogen demands, the hydrogen filling station may also be equipped with hydrogen dispensers with different filling pressures. For example, the second hydrogen dispenser <NUM> may preferably have a filling pressure of <NUM> MPa. In the embodiment of the present application, the second storage tank <NUM> with a smaller gas storage pressure (for example, a gas storage pressure of <NUM> MPa) may also be firstly controlled to provide hydrogen, and then the first storage tank <NUM> with a larger gas storage pressure (for example, a gas storage pressure of <NUM> MPa) may be controlled to provide hydrogen. In this embodiment, the basis for switching the second storage tank <NUM> to the first storage tank <NUM> is whether the pressure of the hydrogen storage cylinder reaches a fourth preset pressure. In this regard, the detector may detect the pressure of the hydrogen storage cylinder, and the fourth preset pressure is preferably <NUM>%-<NUM>% of the gas storage pressure of the hydrogen storage cylinder. The controller may also control the second hydrogen dispenser <NUM> to take hydrogen from the first storage tank <NUM> and the second storage tank <NUM> by controlling valves.

By using the above manner to perform filling, when the filling is about to be completed, a storage tank with a larger gas storage pressure is used to provide hydrogen, which may enhance the filling efficiency and improve the filling capacity.

Specific embodiments using the control system of the present application are provided below:.

In a comparative example, for a <NUM> MPa/<NUM> MPa dual-mode hydrogen filling station in which the hydrogen storage capacity is <NUM> for <NUM> MPa and the hydrogen storage capacity is <NUM> for <NUM> MPa, a compressor (with a motor power of <NUM> kW) with an outlet pressure of <NUM> MPa and a gas displacement of <NUM> Nm3/h@20MPa and a compressor (with a motor power of <NUM> kW) with an outlet pressure of <NUM> MPa and a gas displacement of <NUM> Nm3/h@20MPa are used, and the control method of the present application is not used. According to a daily hydrogen filling capacity of <NUM> for <NUM> MPa and a daily hydrogen filling capacity of <NUM> for <NUM> MPa, the total energy consumption of the compressors is <NUM> kWh, which is higher than that in the above embodiment.

<FIG> is a flow chart of a hydrogen filling station control method provided by an embodiment of the present application. As shown in <FIG>, the method uses a first compressor, a second compressor and a first storage tank, wherein a discharge pressure of the first compressor is smaller than a gas storage pressure of the first storage tank, and a discharge pressure of the second compressor is larger than or equal to the gas storage pressure of the first storage tank. The method includes:.

<FIG> is a flow chart of a hydrogen filling station control method provided by another embodiment of the present application. As shown in <FIG>, the method also uses a second storage tank, wherein the discharge pressure of the first compressor is larger than or equal to a gas storage pressure of the second storage tank, the method further comprising:.

<FIG> is a flow chart of a hydrogen filling station control method provided by another embodiment of the present application. As shown in <FIG>, the method also uses a first hydrogen dispenser configured to fill a hydrogen storage cylinder of a user using hydrogen with hydrogen, wherein the gas storage pressure of the second storage tank is smaller than a filling pressure of the first hydrogen dispenser, and the gas storage pressure of the first storage tank is larger than or equal to the filling pressure of the first hydrogen dispenser, the method comprising:.

<FIG> is a flow chart of a hydrogen filling station control method provided by another embodiment of the present application. As shown in <FIG>, the method also uses a second hydrogen dispenser, wherein the discharge pressure of the second storage tank is larger than or equal to a filling pressure of the second hydrogen dispenser, the method further comprising:.

The embodiments of the above method are similar those of the system described above, and will not be repeated here.

An embodiment of the present invention also provides a hydrogen filling station, comprising the hydrogen filling station control system.

An embodiment of the present invention also provides a machine-readable storage medium, wherein the machine-readable storage medium stores an instruction thereon for making a machine execute the hydrogen filling station control method.

An embodiment of the present invention also provides a processor, wherein the processor is configured to run a program and the program is configured to execute the hydrogen filling station control method when being run.

Although an alternative embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the specific details of the foregoing implementation modes, and various simple modifications of the technical solution of the embodiments of the present invention can be made within the technical concept of the embodiments of the present invention, which fall within the scope of protection of the embodiments of the present invention, which is defined by the appended claims.

It should be further understood that specific technical features described in the foregoing implementation modes can be combined in any suitable manner without departing from scope of the present invention, which is defined by the appended claims.

In order to avoid unnecessary repetition, various possible combinations of the embodiments of the present invention will not be described further.

Claim 1:
A hydrogen filling station control system, comprising:
a first compressor (<NUM>), a second compressor (<NUM>), a first storage tank (<NUM>), a detector and a controller, wherein
a discharge pressure of the second compressor (<NUM>) is larger than or equal to the gas storage pressure of the first storage tank (<NUM>), the first compressor (<NUM>) and the second compressor (<NUM>) are connected to the first storage tank (<NUM>), and
the detector is configured to detect a pressure of the first storage tank (<NUM>); and
the controller is configured to:
control the first compressor (<NUM>) to inflate and pressurize the first storage tank (<NUM>);
characterized in that:
a discharge pressure of the first compressor (<NUM>) is smaller than a gas storage pressure of the first storage tank (<NUM>), and the controller is further configured to:
control, when the pressure of the first storage tank (<NUM>) is equal to a first preset pressure, the second compressor (<NUM>) to inflate and pressurize the first storage tank (<NUM>).