IP Library Granted Patent US 10,479,678
Granted Patent B2
US 10,479,678 · App. 14/278,688 · Granted Nov 19, 2019

Ortho-H

Inventors: Guillaume Petitpas (Livermore, CA); Salvador M. Aceves (Livermore, CA)
Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
C01B3/0089F17C5/02F17C5/06F17C7/00F17C2205/0364F17C2221/012F17C2223/0161F17C2223/033F17C2225/0161F17C2225/033F17C2227/0135F17C2260/036F17C2260/056F17C2265/00F17C2265/065F17C2270/0139F17C2270/0178F17C2270/0184F17C2270/0581Y02E60/321
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,479,678
App. No.
14/278,688
Granted
Nov 19, 2019
Kind
B2
Abstract

A cryogenic hydrogen storage system reduces hydrogen loss by providing an initial supply of hydrogen wherein the initial hydrogen has an initial para/ortho hydrogen ratio. The initial hydrogen having an initial para/ortho hydrogen ratio is adjusted to produce final hydrogen having a final para/ortho hydrogen ratio with a greater amount of ortho hydrogen, The cryogenic hydrogen storage system is refueled with the final hydrogen having a final para/ortho hydrogen ratio with a greater amount of ortho hydrogen.

Claims (36)

1. An apparatus for hydrogen fueling, comprising:

a vehicle;

a cryogenic hydrogen storage unit in said vehicle;

a connectivity device in said vehicle adapted to establish a hydrogen connection with said cryogenic hydrogen storage unit in said vehicle;

a bulk hydrogen source containing initial hydrogen wherein said initial hydrogen has an initial para/ortho hydrogen ratio and wherein said initial hydrogen is ninety nine and eight tenths percent para-hydrogen;

a hydrogen fuel dispenser that includes a hose with a connector wherein said hose with a connector of said hydrogen fuel dispenser is adapted to be connected to said connectivity device in said vehicle to establish a hydrogen connection with said cryogenic hydrogen storage unit in said vehicle;

a hydrogen storage pump connected to said bulk hydrogen source for pumping said initial hydrogen that has an initial para/ortho hydrogen ratio and that is ninety nine and eight tenths percent para-hydrogen;

a catalyst unit connected between said hydrogen storage pump and said hydrogen fuel dispenser that-receives said initial hydrogen having an initial para/ortho hydrogen ratio and that is ninety nine and eight tenths percent para-hydrogen, wherein said initial hydrogen flows to said catalyst unit and said catalyst unit adjusts said initial para/ortho hydrogen ratio to produce final hydrogen having a final para/ortho hydrogen ratio with a five to twenty percent greater amount of ortho hydrogen; and

a copper metal block that comprises said catalyst unit;

wherein said hydrogen fuels dispenser fuel said cryogenic hydrogen storage unit in said vehicle with said final hydrogen having a final para/ortho hydrogen ratio with a five to twenty percent greater amount of ortho hydrogen.

2. An apparatus for hydrogen fueling, comprising;

a vehicle;

a cryogenic hydrogen storage unit in said vehicle;

a connectivity device in said vehicle adapted to establish a hydrogen connection with said cryogenic hydrogen storage unit in said vehicle;

a bulk hydrogen source containing initial hydrogen wherein said initial hydrogen has an initial para/ortho hydrogen ratio and wherein said initial hydrogen is ninety nine and eight tenths percent para-hydrogen;

a hydrogen fuel dispenser that includes a hose with a connector wherein said hose with a connector of said hydrogen fuel dispenser is adapted to be connected to said connectivity device in said vehicle to establish a hydrogen connection with said cryogenic hydrogen storage unit in said vehicle;

a hydrogen storage pump connected to said bulk hydrogen source for pumping said initial hydrogen that has an initial para/ortho hydrogen ratio and that is ninety nine and eight tenths percent para-hydrogen;

a catalyst unit connected between said hydrogen storage pump and said hydrogen fuel dispenser that-receives said initial hydrogen having an initial para/ortho hydrogen ratio and that is ninety nine and eight tenths percent para-hydrogen, wherein said initial hydrogen flows to said catalyst unit and said catalyst unit adjusts said initial para/ortho hydrogen ratio to produce final hydrogen having a final para/ortho hydrogen ratio with a five to twenty percent greater amount of ortho hydrogen; and

an aluminum metal block that comprises said catalyst unit;

wherein said hydrogen fuel dispenser fuels said cryogenic hydrogen storage unit in said vehicle with said final hydrogen having a final para/ortho hydrogen ratio with a five to twenty percent greater amount of ortho hydrogen.

3. An apparatus for hydrogen fueling, comprising:

a vehicle;

a vehicle connectivity device in said vehicle;

a cryogenic hydrogen storage unit in said vehicle, wherein said connectivity device in said vehicle is adapted to establish a hydrogen connection with said cryogenic hydrogen storage unit in said vehicle;

a bulk hydrogen source;

a hydrogen storage pump connected to said bulk hydrogen source;

a hydrogen fuel dispenser;

a hose connected to said hydrogen fuel dispenser;

a connector connected to said hose, wherein said connecter is adapted to be connected to said vehicle connectivity device; and

a catalyst unit connected between said hydrogen storage pump and said hydrogen fuel dispenser, wherein said catalyst unit comprises a copper metal block.

4. The apparatus for hydrogen fueling of claim 3

wherein said catalyst unit is a variable catalyst unit that includes a catalyst, a first valve, a second valve, a first line, a second line, a third line, and a fourth line;

wherein said first line is connected between said first valve and said hydrogen fuel dispenser;

wherein said second line is connected between said second valve and said hydrogen storage pump;

wherein said third line is connected between said first valve and said catalyst; and

wherein said fourth line is connected between said second valve and said catalyst.

Assignments (2)
CONFIRMATORY LICENSE Recorded Jan 2, 2015
From: LAWRENCE LIVERMORE NATIONAL SECURITY, LLC
To: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Reel/Frame 034614/0287 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 16, 2014
From: PETITPAS, GUILLAUME; ACEVES, SALVADOR M.
To: LAWRENCE LIVERMORE NATIONAL SECURITY, LLC
Reel/Frame 032912/0262 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20150330573A1 · Nov 19, 2015