New development of a 70MPa Composite Pressure Vessel for Hydrogen Storage
Topic(s) : Special Sessions
Co-authors :
Stephane VILLALONGA (FRANCE), Olivier PERRIER (FRANCE), Amélie BARON , Bruno FOURNEL (FRANCE)Abstract :
Since the early 2000s, the CEA Le Ripault H2 CPV team has carried out research and development work to improve the technology of type IV composite tanks for on-board hydrogen storage at 70 MPa. This team has the capacity to study materials, to design and define a composite tank using finite element calculations, to manufacture with its industrial resources the different subsystems of a tank, to instrument and test the tanks following regulation requirements (EC79, R134) or abusive tests (impact, crash), to contribute to the manufacture of new national or international standards and regulations, and to transfer its technology for the manufacture of tanks to a RAIGI manufacturer.
In this context, the CEA has developed a 62L tank with 2.5 kg storing capacity of gaseous hydrogen at a pressure of 70 MPa. This tank is designed to be able to be integrated transversely into a light vehicle. The 62L tank has a length of 880mm and an external diameter of 400mm. Its mass is 45 kg, hence a gravimetric rate of 5.4%. The choice of materials with the necessary performance to pass the numerous regulatory tests was made, particularly for the liner material, for which a sufficient level of hydrogen barrier effect must be respected. The choice of carbon fiber is also made taking into account economic objectives set by the European Union.
All hydraulic tests in accordance with EC79 regulations have been carried out. The reservoir has an ultimate pressure resistance greater than 157.5 MPa (burst ratio 2.25). The tank cycled more than 15,000 times between 2 MPa and 87.5 MPa at room temperature. The tank also passed the chemical exposure test (Sulphuric acid, Sodium hydroxide, Methanol/gasoline, Ammonium nitrate, Windshield washer fluid). Composite flaw tolerance tests were carried out as well as the Accelerated stress rupture test (1000 hours at 85°C and 87.5 MPa). The tank also passed the Extreme temperature pressure cycle test (7500 cycles at +85°C and 7500 cycles at -40°C) as well as Impact damage test and leak test and Boss torque test. Hydrogen tests were also carried out as well as rapid depressurization to check that the liner does not collapse.
During 2023, 62L CEA tanks were manufactured by the industrial company RAIGI. These tanks were integrated and then used to achieve the first flight of an aircraft powered entirely by hydrogen (internal combustion engine).
In this context, the CEA has developed a 62L tank with 2.5 kg storing capacity of gaseous hydrogen at a pressure of 70 MPa. This tank is designed to be able to be integrated transversely into a light vehicle. The 62L tank has a length of 880mm and an external diameter of 400mm. Its mass is 45 kg, hence a gravimetric rate of 5.4%. The choice of materials with the necessary performance to pass the numerous regulatory tests was made, particularly for the liner material, for which a sufficient level of hydrogen barrier effect must be respected. The choice of carbon fiber is also made taking into account economic objectives set by the European Union.
All hydraulic tests in accordance with EC79 regulations have been carried out. The reservoir has an ultimate pressure resistance greater than 157.5 MPa (burst ratio 2.25). The tank cycled more than 15,000 times between 2 MPa and 87.5 MPa at room temperature. The tank also passed the chemical exposure test (Sulphuric acid, Sodium hydroxide, Methanol/gasoline, Ammonium nitrate, Windshield washer fluid). Composite flaw tolerance tests were carried out as well as the Accelerated stress rupture test (1000 hours at 85°C and 87.5 MPa). The tank also passed the Extreme temperature pressure cycle test (7500 cycles at +85°C and 7500 cycles at -40°C) as well as Impact damage test and leak test and Boss torque test. Hydrogen tests were also carried out as well as rapid depressurization to check that the liner does not collapse.
During 2023, 62L CEA tanks were manufactured by the industrial company RAIGI. These tanks were integrated and then used to achieve the first flight of an aircraft powered entirely by hydrogen (internal combustion engine).