Empirically verified analysis of dual pre-cooling system for hydrogen refuelling station

• Published in: Renewable energy 2021-01, Vol.163 (C), p.1612-1625
• Main Authors: Piraino, Francesco, Blekhman, David, Dray, Michael, Fragiacomo, Petronilla
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Ambient temperature sensitivity; Dual cooling system; Hydrogen fueling station; Hydrogen infrastructure
• ISSN: 0960-1481; 1879-0682
• DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2020.10.004

The dual cooling system at the California State University Los Angeles Hydrogen Research and Fueling Facility is analysed to predict the output hydrogen temperature in different ambient conditions. Initially, the facility was built with a coil chiller T20 cooling, sufficient for occasional fuelings. A flat plate evaporator system was added in series to resolve any issues for multiple fuelings even in the hottest weather. This study was commenced to verify the set points and determine the control requirements for the dual setup in order to inform future designs. A numerical-empirical model of the cooling system was developed by reverse engineering, using the station experimental measurements and database records. The subsystems are characterized separately but validated as a whole system imposing specific and standard operating conditions. The cooling model is tested with different inputs to validate the pre-set parameter variation of the cooling components. Ten scenarios were investigated to evaluate the fueling output parameters, testing two hydrogen temperature input trends (according to the facility initial conditions) and five ambient temperatures (from 15 °C to 35 °C). The simulation results have confirmed that the hydrogen output temperature remains within the range imposed by the SAE J2601 for each scenario studied, around −22 °C and −25 °C. •Experimental measurements in hydrogen fueling station have been made.•A dual cooling hydrogen system has been modelled and validated.•An ambient temperature sensitivity analysis has been carried out.•A variation of the cooling system pre-set parameters has been evaluated.