PCTFE Liner Composite Tank for Liquid Hydrogen Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hydrogen storage and transportation methods face challenges due to the low molar mass of hydrogen, requiring high pressure and low temperatures, which complicates storage in vehicles and aircraft, and existing composite tanks suffer from adhesion issues between the liner and reinforcing layers, leading to weight and volume inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A multilayer structure comprising a sealing layer of polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE) and a composite reinforcing layer of thermoplastic or thermosetting polymer fibers, which can be welded together to enhance mechanical strength and chemical stability, allowing for efficient storage and transportation of liquid hydrogen.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If high pressure is used to store hydrogen, then storage density is improved, but tank weight and volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite tank structure consisting of an inner liner made of PCTFE polymer and an outer reinforcing layer made of thermoplastic or thermosetting polymer composite materials. This composite construction allows the tank to withstand high pressures (improving hydrogen storage density) while the optimized material combination reduces the overall tank weight compared to traditional metallic high-pressure tanks.
2Weight of stationary object
If composite materials are used for tank structure, then weight is reduced, but adhesion between liner and reinforcing layer is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies precise parameter ranges for the polymer materials used, including glass transition temperature (Tg between -50°C to 0°C for the liner and 0°C to 50°C for the reinforcing layer), melting temperature, and viscosity. By carefully controlling these parameters, the patent ensures optimal adhesion between the PCTFE liner and the thermoplastic/thermosetting polymer reinforcing layer, resolving the adhesion problem while maintaining weight reduction benefits.
3Quantity of substance
If liquid hydrogen storage is used, then storage volume efficiency is improved, but materials must withstand very low temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent selects polymer materials with specific temperature characteristics: the PCTFE liner has a glass transition temperature between -50°C to 0°C and the reinforcing layer polymer has Tg between 0°C to 50°C. These parameter selections ensure the materials remain flexible and maintain mechanical properties at liquid hydrogen storage temperatures (-253°C), enabling efficient liquid hydrogen storage without material failure.
4Stability of the object's composition
If polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE) is used for sealing layer, then chemical stability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines PCTFE polymer (providing excellent chemical stability and hydrogen compatibility) with thermoplastic or thermosetting polymer composite materials for the reinforcing layer. This composite approach maintains the chemical stability benefits of PCTFE while the thermoplastic/thermosetting outer layer provides easier manufacturing processes compared to pure PCTFE construction, as these materials can be more readily molded and bonded.
Data Source
AI summary
A multilayer structure which is chosen from among a tank, a pipe or a tube and intended for transporting, distributing or storing liquid hydrogen, the structure including a sealing layer in contact with the liquid hydrogen, the sealing layer including a composition which includes a polymer P1 which is polychlorotrifluoroethylene and at least one second layer located above the sealing layer, the second layer being a composite reinforcing layer of a fibrous material in the form of continuous fibers impregnated with a composition mainly including at least one thermoplastic or thermosetting polymer P2.