New hydrogen storage methods that are reliable and secure -Part 3-

Tank types for storing compressed hydrogen gas:

Depending on the purposes and service pressures required, there are now four different types of tanks used to store compressed gas:

Tank for liquid H2, produced by Dynetek Industries LTD Museum Autovision, Altlußheim, Germany

The tank type I:

In order to avoid hydrogen embrittlement (or hydrogen-induced cracking (HIC)), completely metallic objects were typically built in low alloy steel. Because the metal absorbs small hydrogen atoms, its ductility decreases. Stainless steel, copper and aluminum are less susceptible to hydrogen embrittlement.

Hydrogen Embrittlement, also known as Hydrogen Induced Cracking (HIC)- © CEphoto, Uwe Aranas

The tank type II:

A local reinforcement on the cylindrical component, most frequently constructed of fiberglass, is also present, and it has the same architecture as the previous one (Type I). The cylinders can be significantly made lighter or have their operating pressure raised thanks to this strengthening.

• For less restricted applications, like stationary storage, glass or basalt fibers have a lot of potential.

The tank type III:

These composite shells, which assume operation at high pressures, are constructed of long carbon fibers impregnated with polyepoxide matrices and are designed in aluminum, low alloy steel, or stainless steel. They also have a metallic interior liner that is reinforced by an integral composite shell.

References:

• Les matériaux au cœur du processus d'innovation - N°59- Clefs CEA No 59 – Parution : Eté 2010

• [ Eberle, Ulrich; Mueller, Bernd; von Helmolt, Rittmar (2012). "Fuel cell electric vehicles and hydrogen infrastructure: status 2012". Energy & Environmental Science. 5 (10): 8780. doi:10.1039/C2EE22596D. Archived from the original on 2014-02-