Simulation, Testing and Optimization of Natural Gas On-Board Storage System for Automotive Applications

To increase the operational range of the vehicle equipped with direct injection gas supply and to eliminate the problems associated with the cryogenic pumps, a composite high pressure vessel is proposed for use as a thermocontrolled tank in vehicles. The test results showed that the liquefied natural gas can be brought from atmospheric pressure to the high pressure required for direct injection in a reasonable time period. Based on these results a mathematical model for the heat transfer to the natural gas was developed and simulated. Three different aspects of gas storage, namely, the initial operational temperature, the gas to vessel mass ratio and the gas weight to vessel volume ratio have been investigated and formulated as objectives for optimization. Due to the presence of different conflicting objectives, the problem was formulated as a nonlinear multi objective optimization problem and then solved. Conclusions were drawn from the tests, simulation and optimization results which would allow the best storage of natural gas in thermo controlled tanks on vehicles with direct gas injection.