Hydrogen tank system based on high-surface materials used for intermediate storage of excess hydrogen gas in stationary applications

Abstract

A hydrogen tank system for collectably storing of excess hydrogen. The hydrogen tank system consists of a primary tank apparatus and a cryoadsorption hydrogen storage apparatus, as well as tubing, detectors, valves, and regulators required to manage the collection and storage of excess hydrogen gas generated during operation, as well as to manage distribution of hydrogen gas to one or more functional modules, such as a stationary fuel cell.

1 . A hydrogen tank system comprising: 
 a primary tank apparatus including at least one tank for holding liquid hydrogen, wherein an excess hydrogen gas is derived from a portion of the liquid hydrogen; and    a cryoadsorption hydrogen storage apparatus comprising at least one cryoadsorption unit, said cryoadsorption hydrogen storage apparatus being connected to said primary tank apparatus;    wherein the excess hydrogen gas is storably absorbed by said cryoadsorption hydrogen storage apparatus.    
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one cryoadsorption unit comprises a plurality of cryoadsorption units mutually arranged in a predetermined mutually interconnected configuration.  
     
     
         3 . A hydrogen tank system comprising: 
 a primary tank apparatus including at least one tank for holding liquid hydrogen, wherein an excess hydrogen gas is derived from a portion of the liquid hydrogen;    a cryoadsorption hydrogen storage apparatus comprising at least one cryoadsorption unit, said cryoadsorption hydrogen storage apparatus being connected to said primary tank apparatus; and    means for selectively connecting at least one functional module to said primary tank apparatus and said cryoadsorption storage apparatus;    wherein the excess hydrogen gas is storably absorbed by said cryoadsorption hydrogen storage apparatus.    
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein said means connects said primary tank apparatus to said at least one functional module.  
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein said means connects said at least one cryoadsorption unit to said at least one functional module.  
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein said means connects said at least one cryoadsorption unit and said primary tank apparatus to said at least one functional module.  
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein said at least one cryoadsorption unit comprises a plurality of cryoadsorption units mutually arranged in a predetermined mutually interconnected configuration.  
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein said means connects said primary tank apparatus to said at least one functional module.  
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein said means connects said at least one cryoadsorption unit to said at least one functional module.  
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein said means connects said at least one cryoadsorption unit and said primary tank apparatus to said at least one functional module.  
     
     
         11 . A method for controlling hydrogen gas exiting a primary tank apparatus for holding liquid hydrogen, comprising the steps of: 
 connecting at least one cryoadsorption unit to the primary tank apparatus; and    collecting boil-off hydrogen gas exiting the primary tank apparatus storably in the at least one cryoadsorption unit.    
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising: 
 sending hydrogen gas exiting the primary tank apparatus to at least one functional module.    
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising: 
 sending the collected boil-off hydrogen gas stored in the at least one cryoadsorption unit to the at least one functional module.    
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising: 
 collecting hydrogen gas other than the boil-off hydrogen gas in the at least one cryoadsorption unit.    
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising: 
 sending hydrogen gas from the primary tank apparatus to at least one functional module.    
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising: 
 sending the collected hydrogen gas stored in the at least one cryoadsorption unit to the at least one functional module.    
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said steps of sending hydrogen gas from the primary tank apparatus and sending the collected hydrogen gas stored in the at least one cryoadsorption unit further comprise: 
 sending hydrogen gas to the at least one functional module at a predetermined rate, wherein hydrogen gas is selectively collected and selectively stored in the at least one cryoadsorption unit so as to provide said predetermined rate.    
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising: 
 sending the collected hydrogen gas stored in the at least one cryoadsorption unit to the at least one functional module.