[ cylinders ]
Hydrogen cylinders : design , testing and certification
The cylinder plays a crucial role in the application of gaseous hydrogen . It is indispensable , regardless of whether it is used for stationary applications , mobile storage during transportation , or at the vehicle level . The search for a product that offers sufficient storage capacity and is constructed in a way that ensures safe handling of hydrogen is an ongoing process .
By Daan ten Have , Commercial Manager – Energy , Kiwa
The low energy density and molecular structure of hydrogen require it to be compressed to a significant pressure , which is one of the key challenges in designing a hydrogen cylinder . Meeting these difficult requirements with a product that has a limited number of components may not be easy , but it is crucial . So , what exactly are these requirements ?
Strength
First of all , strength . The aim is to create a cylinder that is strong enough to withstand enormous pressure . Focussing on type IV cylinders , the laminate and its winding pattern rest as a sort of shell around the gas-tight inner part of the cylinder . This laminate is a combination of resin and fibre materials , and after processing , it should be able to withstand the forces and dynamics that a cylinder experiences throughout its lifespan .
Gas tightness
To ensure the safe containment of a gaseous energy carrier , a cylinder must be completely leak tight . However , due to the specific characteristics of hydrogen , as discussed in an article on permeation featured in the February issue of this
18 Hydrogen Tech World | Issue 9 | April 2023