Patent Awarded for GTI Hydrogen Dispenser Control Technology


Gas Technology Institute (GTI) has completed the development of a new hydrogen dispenser control technology and received notification from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office that a U.S. patent will be awarded on this technology. The hydrogen dispenser control technology and algorithm, called HydroFill™, was developed as part of a collaborative advanced hydrogen station technology initiative between GTI and the U.S. Department of Energy’s Hydrogen, Fuel Cells, and Infrastructure Technologies Program.
Rapid temperature rise that occurs when charging hydrogen into a cylinder can result in less energy density, therefore lowering the amount of fuel stored and reducing vehicle driving range. The GTI-developed HydroFill technology provides hydrogen-powered vehicle operators and hydrogen station operators with a cost-effective solution to accurately and completely fill hydrogen vehicles with compressed hydrogen gas. The patented technology resulted from extensive thermodynamic modeling and high-precision empirical testing from -20°F to 115°F ambient temperature conditions using GTI’s large-scale environmental chamber for testing high-pressure gas systems. The technology was also incorporated into a real-world hydrogen dispenser for a wide range of precision validation tests.
The HydroFill technology includes several advanced features that allow users to customize to their specific requirements. The core HydroFill technology does not require on-board vehicle sensors or communication links between a hydrogen vehicle and dispenser. Derivative versions of the GTI HydroFill algorithm have been developed, however, that can work with vehicle and dispenser systems that incorporate communications technologies.
The HydroFill hydrogen dispenser control technology is available for licensing to interested parties.
GTI is the leading research, development, and training organization serving the natural gas industry and energy markets. For more than 60 years, GTI has been meeting the nation’s energy and environmental challenges by developing technology-based solutions for consumers, industry and government.