Polyamide Gas Tank Liner with Nucleating Agent
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas storage tank liners suffer from insufficient barrier properties, leading to fiber degradation and permeation issues, which result in material inefficiencies and potential buckling when pressure is low.
Innovation Solution
A polymer composition for the liner comprising polyamide A, a nucleating agent at least 0.001 weight percent, and an impact modifier at least 1 weight percent, which enhances barrier properties, reduces fiber degradation, and minimizes buckling, while maintaining stiffness and blow molding properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional polyethylene liner is used, then the liner provides basic containment, but the barrier properties are insufficient leading to gas permeation and fiber degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the liner material by incorporating polyamide resin (6-16 weight percent), copolyamide resin (16-60 weight percent), and impact-resistant material (20-50 weight percent) to achieve superior barrier properties against gas permeation while maintaining structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite material system combining polyamide resin, copolyamide resin, and impact-resistant material in specific proportions to create a liner that simultaneously provides excellent barrier properties, mechanical strength, and impact resistance, resolving the contradiction between containment and permeation prevention
2Reliability
If the liner thickness is increased to improve barrier properties, then permeation resistance improves, but material usage increases and processing becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the compositional parameters of the polymer mixture to achieve high barrier properties in a thin liner configuration (0.5-2.0 mm thickness), where the specific resin combination provides superior gas permeation resistance per unit thickness compared to conventional materials, thus reducing overall material usage while maintaining effectiveness
3Reliability
If a polyamide-based liner with impact modifier is used, then barrier properties improve, but the stiffness of the liner may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a balanced composite material system where polyamide resin provides stiffness and structural integrity, copolyamide resin enhances barrier properties, and impact-resistant material (added in 20-50 weight percent) improves toughness without compromising overall stiffness, thus resolving the contradiction between barrier performance and mechanical strength
Solution Approach 2:
The patent assigns different functional properties to different components: polyamide resin for stiffness, copolyamide for barrier enhancement, and impact-resistant material for toughness, allowing each component to optimize its local function while contributing to overall liner performance
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The improved liner exhibits reduced permeability to gases like helium and nitrogen, allows for thinner or fewer layers, and better protects vacuum spaces from permeation, resulting in material savings and improved structural integrity.
Implementation Method 1
a nucleating agent in an amount of at least 0.001 weight percent with respect to the total amount of the polymer composition
Implementation Method 2
Gas which permeates through the liner may brittle the fibers
Data Source
AI summary
This invention relates to a liner for a gas storage tank containing a polymer composition comprising: i. a polyamide A, and ii. a nucleating agent in an amount of at least 0.001 weight percent with respect to the total amount of the polymer composition, and iii. an impact modifier in an amount of at least 1 weight percent with respect to the total amount of the polymer composition. The invention also relates to a gas storage tank comprising a structural fiber composite comprising continuous carbon or glass fibers, as well as a method for preparing a liner by blow molding.