CFD simulations of filling and emptying of hydrogen tanks

• Published in: International journal of hydrogen energy Vol. 42; no. 11; pp. 7304 - 7313
• Main Authors: Melideo, D., Baraldi, D., Acosta-Iborra, B., Ortiz Cebolla, R., Moretto, P.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 16.03.2017
• Subjects: CFD validation; Compressed hydrogen storage; Hydrogen refuelling; Hydrogen safety; Tank emptying; Tank fast filling; Hydrogen refuelling; Tank fast filling; Tank emptying; Compressed hydrogen storage; Hydrogen safety; CFD validation
• ISSN: 0360-3199; 1879-3487
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2016.05.262

During the filling of hydrogen tanks high temperatures can be generated inside the vessel because of the gas compression while during the emptying low temperatures can be reached because of the gas expansion. The design temperature range goes from −40 °C to 85 °C. Temperatures outside that range could affect the mechanical properties of the tank materials. CFD analyses of the filling and emptying processes have been performed in the HyTransfer project. To assess the accuracy of the CFD model the simulation results have been compared with new experimental data for different filling and emptying strategies. The comparison between experiments and simulations is shown for the temperatures of the gas inside the tank, for the temperatures at the interface between the liner and the composite material, and for the temperatures on the external surface of the vessel. •CFD simulations of hydrogen tank emptying are performed for the first time.•Comparison between experiments and simulations for gas and tank material temperatures.•Good agreement between experiments and simulations for emptying and filling process.