Hydrogen Fuel Systems
Hydrogen Tank Liners
In Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs), hydrogen is stored in a high pressure tank made from a plastic liner encased in a composite wrap. The key role of the plastic liner is to keep the H2 from permeating out from the tank, even at very high pressures. Additionally, it is critical to the safety of the FCEV that this liner is also very durable, especially at cold temperatures.
Rilsan® PA11 provides a great combination of permeation resistance and cold temperature durability for hydrogen tank liners. It also has excellent resistance to blistering and crack propagation. Rilsan® PA11 is very easily processed, and can be used to make hydrogen tank liners via rotomolding, extrusion blow molding, injection molding, and extrusion. Furthermore, Rilsan® PA11 is a sustainable material for tank liners as it is 100% bio-based and very easy to recycle.
Hydrogen Fuel Lines
Hydrogen typically travels from the tank to the fuel cell via a system of gas lines and connectors. These lines need to have good permeation resistance to prevent hydrogen losses and emissions. They also must have great burst pressure resistance and be adequately flexible for installation. Rilsan® PA11 is an excellent material candidate for durable hydrogen conveyance lines, and can be used as the primary material in low and medium pressure mono-wall lines or as the permeation barrier in multilayer high pressure lines.
Rilsan® PA11 is an excellent material candidate for durable mono-wall and multilayer hydrogen conveyance lines. The connectors that these lines fit to must have good dimensional stability to ensure proper fitting retention. Glass filled Rilsan® PA11 injection molding grades can be used to create durable connectors which offer consistent connection or strong weld quality to hydrogen conveyance hoses.