Hydrogen storage system and method of operation thereof

• US 7,316,242 B2
• Filed: 04/06/2004
• Issued: 01/08/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Proton Energy Systems, Inc. (NEL ASA)
• Original Assignee: Proton Energy Systems, Inc. (NEL ASA)
• Inventors: Nomikos, Spyros, Halter, Dean Edwin, Lillis, Mark Andrew, Shiroma, Iris Liane, Porter, Stephen Charles
• Primary Examiner(s): LEE, KEVIN L
• Application Number:
  US10/708,992
• Publication Number:
  US 20050178432A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,372 Days
• Field of Search: 137/255, 137/256, 137/263, 137/266
• US Class Current: 137/255
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 13/025 having the pressure as the parameter
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 13/084 for small-sized storage vessels, e.g. compressed gas cylinders or bottles, disposable gas vessels, vessels adapted for automotive use
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2201/0104 cylindrical
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2201/032 with substantially vertical main axis
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2201/054 medium (>1 m3)
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2203/0617 with one layer
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2203/0639 Steels
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2203/0663 in form of fibers or filaments
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/0107 Frames
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/0111 Boxes
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/0126 One vessel
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/013 Two or more vessels
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/0142 bundled in parallel
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/0146 with details of the manifold
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/0176 with ventilation
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/0332 Safety valves or pressure relief valves
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/0341 Filters
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2221/012 Hydrogen
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2223/0123 gaseous, e.g. CNG, GNC
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2223/035 High pressure (>10 bar)
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2223/036 : Very high pressure (>80 bar)
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2225/0123 : gaseous, e.g. CNG, GNC
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2225/035 : High pressure, i.e. between 10 and 80 bars
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2225/036 : Very high pressure, i.e. above 80 bars
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/032 : using computers
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/043 : Pressure
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2260/042 : Reducing risk of explosion
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2265/012 : by filtering
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2270/0763 : Fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 7/00 : Methods or apparatus for discharging liquefied, solidified, or compressed gases from pressure vessels, not covered by another subclass
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 16/003 : of fuel cells with other electrochemical devices, e.g. capacitors, electrolysers
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04089 : of gaseous reactants
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04201 : Reactant storage and supply, e.g. means for feeding, pipes
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04208 : Cartridges, cryogenic media or cryogenic reservoirs
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/18 : Regenerative fuel cells, e.g. redox flow batteries or secondary fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/32 : Hydrogen storage
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 : Fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0396 : Involving pressure control
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/4673 : Plural tanks or compartments with parallel flow
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/4857 : With manifold or grouped outlets

Abstract

A regenerative fuel cell system is provided having at least one hydrogen storage container fluidly coupled to at least one hydrogen generator and at least one power generator. Each power generator further includes a fuel cell fluidly coupled to the hydrogen storage container, an electric energy storage device, and an unregulated dc bus electrically connected to said fuel cell and said electric storage device. The system further provides for a health monitoring system for determining the occurrence of critical events which may necessitate the disabling of the system.

Claims

1. A high pressure gas storage system comprising:

a plurality of storage tank groups fluidly coupled to each other,

each of said plurality of storage tank groups having at least a first and second gas storage container fluidly coupled together and a valve fluidly coupled to said first and second storage container wherein when said valve is closed, said first and second gas containers are fluidly isolated from said other storage tank groups, wherein said plurality of storage tank groups is further fluidly connected to a pressure regulator by a first conduit; and

,

a pressure transducer coupled to said first conduit between said pressure regulator and said plurality of storage tank groups.

2. The high pressure gas storage system of claim 1 further comprising a first pressure relief valve fluidly coupled between a vent and said plurality of storage tank groups.

3. The high pressure gas storage system of claim 2 further comprising

a shut off valve fluidly coupled to said pressure regulator by a second conduit;

and,

a pressure vent valve fluidly coupled to said vent and said second conduit between said pressure regulator and said shut off valve.

4. The high pressure gas storage system of claim 3 further comprising a second pressure transducer coupled to said second conduit.

5. The high pressure gas storage system of claim 4 further comprising an input valve fluidly coupled to said first conduit.

6. The high pressure gas storage system of claim 5 further comprising a third pressure transducer coupled to said input valve opposite said third conduit.

7. The high pressure gas storage system of claim 6 further comprising a second pressure relief valve coupled to said shut off valve and said vent.

8. The high pressure gas storage system of claim 7 further comprising a pressure switch fluidly coupled to said shut off valve and said second pressure relief valve.