Cork-based Composite Materials Suitable to Protect Type I Hydrogen Tanks
Topic(s) : Special Sessions
Co-authors :
Guilherme DE ANTUNES E SOUSA (PORTUGAL), Fábio FERNANDES (PORTUGAL), Ricardo SOUSA (PORTUGAL), Afonso SILVA (PORTUGAL)Abstract :
Hydrogen, frequently known as the energy of the future, looks to be a tremendously promising replacement for traditional fossil fuels. Nonetheless, the safety protocols pertaining to the hydrogen supply chain, specifically regarding storage, are not as well-established as those pertaining to conventional fossil fuels, which places constraints on the uptake, adoption and application of hydrogen.
This project's primary purpose is to determine whether coatings composed of composite materials based on cork agglomerates can enhance the safety of type I hydrogen storage tanks, particularly in the case of accidents, fires, or explosions. The current effort also intends to investigate the connection between these composite materials' thermal and mechanical properties and their density.
The samples underwent mechanical quasi-static uniaxial compression testing, dynamic impact testing (drop test), and thermal tests to assess thermal conductivity, diffusivity, volumetric specific heat and thermal behaviour in fire. In addition, a numerical model was created using the Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to confirm and replicate the mechanical results of the experiment.
It was discovered that these composite materials made of agglomerated cork are appropriate for lining type I hydrogen storage tanks because they provide excellent thermal insulation, enabling extended fire exposure, and function as energy absorbers in the event of collisions or explosions. Lower densities have been shown to provide a higher capacity for energy absorption during dynamic events, since shear rate plays a significant role on the energy density. These conclusions were backed and validated by the model that was developed, optimized and validated using numerical data. Higher densities, which result in smaller burned regions, less mass loss, and longer fire exposure times, are thought to increase the composite's fire resistance.
Additionally, it has been demonstrated that thermal conductivity has less of an influence on thermal behaviour during fire than thermal diffusivity and volumetric specific heat. A merely demonstrative prototype was produced to demonstrate how these kinds of composite materials made of agglomerated cork might be applied to hydrogen storage tanks in a straightforward, useful, and environmentally friendly manner. Making these kinds of coatings with these kinds of materials is a breakthrough in the field and contributes to a much needed safe acceleration of the energy transition without ever sacrificing the European Green Deal (Paris Agreement) or the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
This project's primary purpose is to determine whether coatings composed of composite materials based on cork agglomerates can enhance the safety of type I hydrogen storage tanks, particularly in the case of accidents, fires, or explosions. The current effort also intends to investigate the connection between these composite materials' thermal and mechanical properties and their density.
The samples underwent mechanical quasi-static uniaxial compression testing, dynamic impact testing (drop test), and thermal tests to assess thermal conductivity, diffusivity, volumetric specific heat and thermal behaviour in fire. In addition, a numerical model was created using the Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to confirm and replicate the mechanical results of the experiment.
It was discovered that these composite materials made of agglomerated cork are appropriate for lining type I hydrogen storage tanks because they provide excellent thermal insulation, enabling extended fire exposure, and function as energy absorbers in the event of collisions or explosions. Lower densities have been shown to provide a higher capacity for energy absorption during dynamic events, since shear rate plays a significant role on the energy density. These conclusions were backed and validated by the model that was developed, optimized and validated using numerical data. Higher densities, which result in smaller burned regions, less mass loss, and longer fire exposure times, are thought to increase the composite's fire resistance.
Additionally, it has been demonstrated that thermal conductivity has less of an influence on thermal behaviour during fire than thermal diffusivity and volumetric specific heat. A merely demonstrative prototype was produced to demonstrate how these kinds of composite materials made of agglomerated cork might be applied to hydrogen storage tanks in a straightforward, useful, and environmentally friendly manner. Making these kinds of coatings with these kinds of materials is a breakthrough in the field and contributes to a much needed safe acceleration of the energy transition without ever sacrificing the European Green Deal (Paris Agreement) or the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).