High pressure hydrogen storage for fuel cell vehicles

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High pressure hydrogen storage for fuel cell vehicles

Tiller, D.B. / Newhouse, P.E.N.L. / Eihusen, J.A.

The future use of hydrogen as a vehicular fuel will require a safe and cost-effective means of onboard storage. This physical storage may be accomplished in the form, or state, of compressed gas or as a cryogenic liquid. To achieve a vehicle range comparable to a gasoline-powered vehicle will require storing gaseous hydrogen at pressures up to 35 MPa. High-strength composite materials will be necessary in order to achieve such pressures without incurring a huge weight penalty. The Natural Gas Vehicle (NGV) storage technology is serving as a springboard for on-board Hydrogen storage. In 1998, Lincoln Composites, a Division of Advanced Technical Products, began testing and delivery of the first all-composite high-pressure tanks for storage of hydrogen on fuel cell vehicles. This paper discusses the evolution and development of high-pressure hydrogen storage. In particular, this paper presents the performance requirements, design approach, and testing for these initial hydrogen storage containers, and discusses the ongoing work towards development of higherpressure storage and an industry standard. Also discussed are issues relating to other tank components such as valves and pressure relief devices.