Contents
Overview
High-pressure tanks (250 bar) have been used safely in compressed natural gas vehicles for many years. Improved versions of these tanks made of high-strength composite materials are now used to store hydrogen at higher pressures (350 and 700 bar) to achieve a greater range in hydrogen-fueled mobility. High-pressure hydrogen tanks are designed not to rupture and are held to rigorous performance requirements. This article summarizes major regulations, codes, and standards in different aspects of hydrogen tank storage. The article further dives into the testing and certification process of hydrogen tanks.
Regulations, Codes, and Standards (RCS)
There has been extensive work evaluating regulations, codes, and standards (RCS) for the emerging fuel cell market, such as the infrastructure required to support fuel cell electric vehicles. However, there has not been a similar RCS evaluation and development process for these larger systems. This section highlights the key ideas behind RCS.
Regulations
Legally binding, developed through a national administrative process or international agreement
Typically incorporate by reference safety codes and standards
Developed in advance of commercialization to protect public safety
Codes
Specify requirements, components, and procedures for use
Developed through voluntary code publishing groups
Usually established/adopted by jurisdictions
Legally binding; i.e. building codes Intern codes set by agreement
Standards
Technical guidelines for design, manufacture, and testing
The set minimum performance or component requirements
Technical experts from industry and governments
International standards are typically voluntary, consensus-based
Quick RCS Overview
The below images indicate the major RCS used in different use case scenarios. Marine and railway have yet to finalize any major RCS that can be used, but it is anticipated that they are more likely to also follow the EC79/EU406.
Testing and Certification
Over the last decade, the international hydrogen community has worked hard to develop codes and standards for onboard gaseous hydrogen storage composite tanks. Currently, there are multiple available regulations and codes applicable to composite hydrogen tanks as mentioned in the previous section. The following is a list of the tests required for the qualification of hydrogen tanks, with the most significant in tests of safety highlighted in boldface:
Composite material tests
liner material tests
liner burst test at ambient temperature
hydraulic(proof) test of finished cylinders at ambient temperature
cylinder burst test
resistance to pressure cycles at test pressure and ambient temperature immersion in salt water
exposure to an elevated temperature at test pressure;
drop test
flawed cylinder test
extreme temperature cycle test
fire resistance test
high-velocity impact (bullet) test
permeability test of cylinders with non-metallic or without liners
test of compatibility of thermoplastic liners with oxidizing gases
torque test
neck strength
cylinder stability
neck ring
Hydrostatic Burst Test
A hydrostatic burst test is conducted to determine the burst pressure of the tank. The determination of the burst pressure (BP) is critical for the composite tank’s safety and reliability. It is a primary and most important qualification test for a hydrogen tank. Minimum values of the burst pressure ratio for different types of fibers are listed in the table below.
Flame Exposure Test
The flame exposure test is performed to evaluate the ability of the hydrogen tank to withstand exposure to fire. The temperature profile for the fire exposure test according to UN GTR 13 is shown in the figure below, and the test procedure is as follows:
The tank is pressurized up to the working pressure(70 MPa);
Container assembly is positioned 100 mm above the ground;
The tank is exposed to the fire according to the fire-exposed cycle;
In total, 1-to-10 min fire is applied at localized region (Temp ≤ 900 ◦C);
In total, 10-to-12 min engulfing region exposed to fire (Temp ≤ 1100 ◦C);
The tank should not burst and should vent by means of a pressure-relief device.