A numerical study on the thermal behavior of high pressure hydrogen in the on-board storage cylinder

Abstract

The fast refueling of compressed hydrogen has an important influence on the efficiency and safety of the filling process. Precision measurements of the thermodynamic characteristics of hydrogen under the filling process are becoming more important as hydrogen energy is developed and used. One of the key elements of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles is the on-board hydrogen storage cylinder (HSC). Due to the compression of the hydrogen during filling, there could be a fast increase in temperature. The tank's maximum temperature and maximum fueling pressure are both restricted to less than 358.15 K and 125% of the tank's design pressure for safety reasons. This study revealed the hydrogen temperature rise during refueling and developed a theoretical model for computing the temperature rise in the HSC during the high-pressure refueling procedure. The HSC filling procedure was examined using a theoretical approach. Also, the relationship between the refueling procedure and the temperature change of hydrogen in the type IV tank was investigated. The temperature evolution mechanism of various HSCs was explained, and predictions were made for the minimum precooling temperature needed for hydrogen under various filling scenarios. The results of the theoretical analysis gave a theoretical foundation to the present method for controlling the hydrogen temperature of the gas source in the hydrogenation station, which then enables us to determine the optimum amount of energy needed for cooling hydrogen in the hydrogen refueling station.