Continuous flow thermodynamic pump
A thermodynamic pump for provides gaseous hydrogen employing a plurality of liquid hydrogen (LH2) tanks sequentially pressurized with gaseous hydrogen (GH2) from an accumulator. A heat exchanger receiving LH2 from each of the plurality of tanks as sequentially pressurized returns pressurized GH2 to the accumulator for supply to an engine.
1. A thermodynamic pump system for providing gaseous hydrogen comprising:
an accumulator for storing pressurized gaseous hydrogen;
a plurality of liquid hydrogen (LH2) tanks in fluid communication with an outlet of the accumulator and controlled for sequential pressurization; and
a heat exchanger in fluid communication with the accumulator and in controlled fluid communication with the plurality of tanks for sequentially receiving LH2;
a supply manifold directly connecting the plurality of tanks to the heat exchanger;
a pressurization manifold directly connecting the accumulator to the plurality of tanks;
a fill manifold directly connecting the plurality of tanks to a dewar; and,
a blow down manifold directly connecting the plurality of tanks to the dewar.
2. The thermodynamic pump defined in claim 1 wherein the supply manifold further comprises a plurality of supply valves for sequential supply of LH2 from the plurality of tanks to the heat exchanger.
3. The thermodynamic pump as defined in claim 2 wherein the pressurization manifold further comprises a plurality of pressurization valves for sequential pressurization of the tanks concurrent with the sequential supply of LH2.
4. The thermodynamic pump as defined in claim 1 wherein the fill manifold further comprises a plurality of fill valves for sequential fill of the tanks with LH2.
5. The thermodynamic pump as defined in claim 4 wherein the blow down manifold further comprises a plurality of depressurization valves for sequential depressurization of gaseous hydrogen (GH2) from the tanks concurrent with the sequential fill of LH2.
6. The thermodynamic pump as defined in claim 5 further comprising an accumulator condenser intermediate the dewar and tanks, said accumulator condenser providing LH2 to the fill manifold and receiving GH2 from the blowdown manifold.