Process and device for filling tanks with pressurized gas
AssigneeL'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
InventorThibaut Francois
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Leak testing is performed after filling a first tank with pressurized gas and before filling a second tank with the same via a filling circuit including first and second isolation valves. After the first tank is filled, the pressure of gas trapped between the two closed isolation valves is measured. If the pressure is below a predetermined threshold, the first isolation valve is opened until the pressure reaches or exceeds the predetermined threshold, at which time the first isolation valve is closed and the second isolation valve is opened so that the leak test may be performed. If the pressure is otherwise at or above the threshold, the leak test is performed.
Claims16
A filling station for filling tanks with pressurized gas, comprising:
- at least one source of pressurized gas
- a fluid circuit for the transfer of the gas from the at least one source to the tanks that comprises a first end connected to the at least one source of pressurized gas, a second end provided with a transfer pipe intended to be joined in removable fashion to the tanks to be filled, a first isolation valve positioned between the first and second ends, a member for regulation of flow rate or pressure, a second isolation valve, and a pressure sensor disposed between the first and second isolation valves and
- an electronic data processing and storage member, wherein:
- the station is suitable for, and configured for, carrying out a filling of a first tank and then a filling of a second tank;
- the electronic data processing and storage member is adapted and configured to control the successive fillings and the first and second isolation valves and carry out a leak test between the filling of the first tank and the filling of the second tank during which the second tank is joined in leaktight fashion to the second end of the circuit;
- the leak test comprises the step of placing the second tank under pressure via an opening of the second isolation valve at the end of the filling of the first tank;
- the electronic data processing and storage member is configured to:
- a) close the first and second isolation valves in order to trap a supply of pressurized gas in the circuit between these two valves;
- b) cause performance of said leak test when the pressure of the trapped pressurized gas measured by the pressure sensor is greater than a predetermined threshold;
- and c) when the pressure of the trapped pressurized gas measured by the pressure sensor is lower than the predetermined threshold, cause the first isolation valve to open in order to fill the circuit between the first and second isolation valves with the pressurized gas from the at least one source of pressurized gas until the predetermined threshold is reached or exceeded;
- and d) subsequently cause the first isolation valve to close whereupon said performance of said leak test is caused.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.