Effects of geometry and inconstant mass flow rate on temperatures within a pressurized hydrogen cylinder during refueling

Higher refueling rate leads to higher temperature rise within the cylinder. Excessive temperature should be avoided during the refueling progress. In this paper, we studied the effective methods to control the temperature rise by simulations based on the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). Cylinders of different length to diameter ratios and different inlet diameters were simulated. We found that smaller radio of length to diameter can boost for temperature control and temperature distribution. Larger inlet diameter can restrain temperature rise. Comparing the simulation results with constant, increasing and decreasing mass flow rate, the refueling with increasing flow rate obtains the lowest temperature rise.

► Refueling processes of different geometry cylinders are simulated. ► Higher length to diameter rate results in lower temperature rise. ► Smaller inlet diameter results in higher temperature rise. ► Refueling processes with variable mass flow rate are simulated. ► Refueling with increasing flow rate obtains the lower temperature rise.