IP Library Granted Patent US 12,618,521
Granted Patent B2
US 12,618,521 · App. 18/173,902 · Granted May 5, 2026

Hydrogen fueling and storage optimization model

Inventors: Dhruv Gupta (San Jose, CA); Hariharan Subramanian (Everett, WA); Priya Chhiba (Atlanta, GA); Varun Sakalkar (Redwood City, CA)
Assignee: Google LLC
F17C5/007F17C13/02G05B19/4155F17C2221/012F17C2250/0408F17C2250/0636F17C2250/0694F17C2265/065G05B2219/45076
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,618,521
App. No.
18/173,902
Granted
May 5, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

Aspects of the disclosure are directed to an optimization model for storing liquid hydrogen to power fuel cells in data centers. The optimization model can be based on hydrogen fuel consumption rates in the data center, refueling rates from vendors, refueling response time, storage tank area constraints in the data center, and/or logistical refueling constraints. The optimization model can allow for providing sufficient fuel within a constrained space for backup power in the data center, such as when an emergency arises.

Claims (33)

1 . A method for controlling liquid hydrogen storage, comprising:

determining, by one or more processors, one or more capacity constraints based on input data associated with a capacity for storing liquid hydrogen;

determining, by the one or more processors, one or more vendor refueling constraints based on input data associated with vendor refueling;

determining, by the one or more processors, a minimum amount of liquid hydrogen to store based on the one or more capacity constraints and the one or more vendor refueling constraints using an optimization model;

outputting, by the one or more processors, instructions for adjusting liquid hydrogen storage based on the minimum amount of liquid hydrogen to store; and

automatically adjusting, by the one or more processors, at least one of an amount of liquid hydrogen capable of being stored, fuel inflow, or fuel outflow based on the instructions.

2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising receiving, by the one or more processors, the input data associated with the capacity for storing the liquid hydrogen and the input data associated with vendor refueling.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the optimization model comprises at least one of a multi-objective, mixed-integer, linear, or constrained optimization model.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the input data associated with a capacity for storing the liquid hydrogen further comprises at least one of a monitored level of liquid hydrogen in a tank at a given time, inflow of liquid hydrogen to the tank, or outflow of liquid hydrogen from the tank.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the input data associated with a capacity for storing liquid hydrogen further comprises at least one of a fuel minimum level of a tank, a fuel maximum level of a tank, or an area available for containing tanks.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the input data associated with vendor refueling further comprises at least one of vendor response time, vendor refueling rate, or a maximum number of tanks the vendor can refuel simultaneously.

7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein determining the minimum amount of liquid hydrogen to store is further based on input data associated with maintenance.

8 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the input data associated with maintenance further comprises at least one of a cost per tank or a cost of liquid hydrogen inventory.

9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein determining the one or more capacity constraints further comprises determining at least one of a constraint associated with volume balance, a constraint associated with fuel minimum or maximum levels of a tank, or a constraint associated with a space limit for containing tanks.

10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein determining the one or more vendor refueling constraints further comprises determining at least one of a constraint associated with inflow based on vendor response time, a constraint associated with inflow based on vendor refueling rate, or a constraint associated with an upper bound based on a number of tanks the vendor can refuel simultaneously.

11 . A system comprising:

one or more processors; and

one or more storage devices coupled to the one or more processors and storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations for controlling liquid hydrogen storage, the operations comprising:

determining one or more capacity constraints based on input data associated with a capacity for storing liquid hydrogen;

determining one or more vendor refueling constraints based on input data associated with vendor refueling;

determining a minimum amount of liquid hydrogen to store based on the one or more capacity constraints and the one or more vendor refueling constraints using an optimization model;

outputting instructions for adjusting liquid hydrogen storage based on the minimum amount of liquid hydrogen to store; and

automatically adjusting at least one of an amount of liquid hydrogen capable of being stored, fuel inflow, or fuel outflow based on the minimum amount of liquid hydrogen to store.

12 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the operations further comprise receiving the input data associated with the capacity for storing the liquid hydrogen and the input data associated with vendor refueling.

13 . The system of claim 11 , wherein determining the minimum amount of liquid hydrogen to store is further based on input data associated with maintenance.

14 . The system of claim 11 , wherein determining the one or more capacity constraints further comprises determining at least one of a constraint associated with volume balance, a constraint associated with fuel minimum or maximum levels of a tank, or a constraint associated with a space limit for containing tanks.

15 . The system of claim 11 , wherein determining the one or more vendor refueling constraints further comprises determining at least one of a constraint associated with inflow based on vendor response time, a constraint associated with inflow based on vendor refueling rate, or a constraint associated with an upper bound based on a number of tanks the vendor can refuel simultaneously.

16 . A non-transitory computer readable medium for storing instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations for controlling liquid hydrogen storage, the operations comprising:

determining one or more capacity constraints based on input data associated with a capacity for storing liquid hydrogen;

determining one or more vendor refueling constraints based on input data associated with vendor refueling;

determining a minimum amount of liquid hydrogen to store based on the one or more capacity constraints and the one or more vendor refueling constraints using an optimization model;

outputting instructions for adjusting liquid hydrogen storage based on the minimum amount of liquid hydrogen to store; and

automatically adjusting at least one of an amount of liquid hydrogen capable of being stored, a fuel inflow, or a fuel outflow based on the instructions.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 28, 2023
From: GUPTA, DHRUV; SUBRAMANIAN, HARIHARAN; CHHIBA, PRIYA; SAKALKAR, VARUN
To: GOOGLE LLC
Reel/Frame 062821/0372 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20240288122A1 · Aug 29, 2024
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