How are composites used in energy storage?

Composites are used to build pressure vessels to store compressed natural gas, liquid propane gas, hydrogen gas. These typically involve filament winding of glass or carbon fiber around a metal, plastic or all-composite liner. Source: Composites end markets: Pressure vessels

What are the types of pressure vessels?

You may see pressure vessels or storage tanks listed as one of various numbered “Types.” Pressure vessels are organized into five types: Type I: All-metal construction, generally steel. Type II: Mostly metal with some fiber overwrap in the hoop direction, mostly steel or aluminum with a glass fiber composite; the metal vessel and composite materials share about equal structural loading. Type III: Metal liner with full composite overwrap, generally aluminum, with a carbon fiber composite; the composite materials carry the structural loads. Type IV: An all-composite construction, polymer — typically polyamide (PA) or high-density polyethylene (HDPE) liner with carbon fiber or hybrid carbon/glass fiber composite; the composite materials carry all the structural loads. Type V: Linerless, all-composite construction. Source: Composites end markets: Pressure vessels

Do composites have a role in the hydrogen economy?

For years, composites have offered lightweight storage of compressed hydrogen (H2) gas for zero-emission, fuel cell-powered vehicles via Type IV tanks comprising plastic liners wrapped with carbon fiber and epoxy resin. Though H2 has long promised a sustainable source of clean energy, until recently, progress was slow. As the market continues to grow, demand for Type IV tanks continues to increase, with new technologies in development. Follow CompositesWorld ’s continuing hydrogen market coverage for the latest. Source: The potential for hydrogen to fuel composites growth

ENERGY STORAGE

Energy Storage

Plastic Omnium, Shenergy Group JV to accelerate hydrogen development in China

Pilot project line in Shanghai for Type IV hydrogen systems will be in place by 2025, and a mega-plant with a 60,000-vessel capacity by 2026.

Grace Nehls
Managing Editor, CompositesWorld

Carbon Fibers

Cryomotive opens Hydrogen Storage Manufacturing Center

Cryomotive is to develop, manufacture and assemble Cryogas composite hydrogen tanks for commercial vehicles, buses and ships at new Pfeffenhausen site, accelerating hydrogen refueling systems production for zero-emission commercial vehicles.
#hydrogen #trends

Glass Fibers

NRP Zero invests in hydrogen pressure vessel producer Umoe Advanced Composites

Nordic shareholding investment funds UAC’s manufacturing expansion in Norway and Asia, with an initial target volume of 12,000 fiberglass storage tanks annually for both facilities.
#hydrogen

Energy Storage

Forvia brand Faurecia exhibits XL CGH2 tank, cryogenic LH2 storage solution for heavy-duty trucks

Part of its full hydrogen solutions portfolio at IAA Transportation 2022, Faurecia also highlighted sustainable thermoplastic tanks and smart tanks for better safety via structural integrity monitoring.
#hydrogen

Energy Storage

Hyosung transforms nylon for use as liner in hydrogen fuel tanks

The company has succeeded in developing and using nylon as a core liner material in hydrogen storage vessels, overcoming metal and HDPE liner alternatives.
#hydrogen

Plastic Omnium announces construction of Compiègne hydrogen storage vessel facility

Government-funded future factory will produce 80,000 Type IV storage vessels/year, adds to large contacts for design, production of 700-bar hydrogen vessels.
#hydrogen

Energy Storage |

Composites end markets: Pressure vessels (2023)

The composite pressure vessel market is fast-growing and now dominated by demand for hydrogen storage.
#sourcebook #hydrogen #feature

Jeff Sloan Editor-in-Chief, CompositesWorld

Videos / Podcasts

Filament Winding

Composites end markets: Pressure vessels (2022)

December 03, 2021 - 12:00 AM EST

Global goals to reach zero emissions by 2050 drive high growth in composite pressure vessels.
#Basics #airbus #multitudeofmarkets

Energy Storage

Composites end markets: Fuel cells and batteries (2022)

December 02, 2021 - 12:00 AM EST

Fuel cell vehicles are slated for high growth while battery electric vehicles ramp in production, both are driving new developments in composites materials and processes.
#sourcebook #multitudeofmarkets #electricvehicles

Defense

Nexam Chemical, the NCC develop solution for manufacturing high-temperature composites

November 24, 2021 - 3:00 PM EST

Nexam Chemical’s Neximid high-temperature resin system can operate at temperatures up to 400°C, expanding the boundaries of composites into more demanding applications that weren’t previously possible.
#polyimide

Aerospace

In-situ composites sensors for increased production rates, smart processes and life cycle monitoring

November 23, 2021 - 12:00 AM EST

Com&Sens FBG sensors are embedded into pressure vessels, rudders and bridges, with new edge and surface connection technology, aimed at cost-effective serial production and monitoring of composite structures.
#sensors #hydrogen #SHM

Energy Storage

Mikrosam celebrates commissioning of world's largest production line for CNG and hydrogen tanks

October 25, 2021 - 2:00 PM EST

Turnkey project integrates four filament winding machines, two large ovens and multiple robotic lines and buffering stations to produce 60,000 tanks per year.

Thermoplastics

CosiMo: Smart thermoplastic RTM process demonstrated for battery box cover challenge simulator

September 24, 2021 - 3:00 PM EST

Project uses network of DEA, temperature/pressure and ultrasonic sensors plus digital simulation and AI modeling to monitor and optimize injection of caprolactam into complex glass fiber preform and in-situ polymerization of PA6.
#electricvehicles

Energy Storage

Hanwha Solutions acquires Cimarron Composites, aims to be global leader in high-pressure tanks by 2030

August 12, 2021 - 9:00 AM EST

Hanwha Cimarron LLC will build new $130 million production facility in Alabama to produce large-scale tanks for hydrogen transport, filling stations and support expansion into tanks for UAM, drones, launch vehicle rockets, defense, rail, cargo ships and more.
#hydrogen #space

Energy Storage |

JEC World 2022, Part 2: Recycling, natural fibers and additive manufacturing

CW associate editor Hannah Mason recaps several technologies seen on display at JEC World 2022, including new developments from Bcomp, Massivit 3D, Gen 2 Carbon and more.
#sustainability

Hannah Mason Technical Editor, CompositesWorld

Energy Storage

Plastic Omnium supports development of Safra Hycity hydrogen-powered buses

Passenger transportation retrofit specialist will receive Plastic Omnium’s Type IV high-pressure hydrogen vessels, fuel cell systems, and technical and product launch support.
#hydrogen

Energy Storage

Cryomotive to manufacture first CRYOGAS hydrogen storage vessels using Mikrosam winder

Carbon fiber-reinforced composite cryogenic compressed (CcH2) system offers up to 80 kilograms of H2 and 1,000 kilometers of range for heavy-duty truck and bus applications.
#hydrogen

Energy Storage

Matrix Composites secures $14 million to support deepwater floating rig project in Asia

High-performance composite deepwater drill riser buoyancy systems supply capitalizes on increased activity in the subsea segment.

Energy Storage

NPROXX expands business into the U.S.

Type IV tank manufacturer cites national hydrogen investment, more supportive vehicle regulations and general expansion opportunities as reasons for its 2023 U.S. establishment goals.
#trends #hydrogen

Carbon Fibers

Italian startup, Advanced Composites Solutions develop portable solar panel via recovered carbon fiber

Origami-inspired panel from Levante and ACS upcycles supercar scrap, solves energy accessibility for off-the-grid travelers.

Energy Storage

AMRC, industrial partners develop Type IV hydrogen tank for long-haul vehicles

In the 12-month project, the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) has built prototype tanks and worked to build a secure U.K. supply chain.
#hydrogen

Aerospace |

JEC World 2022, Part 1: Highlights in sustainable, digital, industrialized composites

JEC World 2022 offered numerous new developments in composites materials, processes and applications, according to CW senior editor, Ginger Gardiner, most targeting improved sustainability for wider applications.
#hydrogen #repair

Ginger Gardiner Senior Technical Editor, CompositesWorld

NEW PRODUCTS: ENERGY STORAGE

Construction

ENERGY STORAGE

Plastic Omnium, Shenergy Group JV to accelerate hydrogen development in China

Cryomotive opens Hydrogen Storage Manufacturing Center

NRP Zero invests in hydrogen pressure vessel producer Umoe Advanced Composites

Forvia brand Faurecia exhibits XL CGH2 tank, cryogenic LH2 storage solution for heavy-duty trucks

Hyosung transforms nylon for use as liner in hydrogen fuel tanks

Plastic Omnium announces construction of Compiègne hydrogen storage vessel facility

Composites end markets: Pressure vessels (2023)

Videos / Podcasts

Composites end markets: Pressure vessels (2022)

Composites end markets: Fuel cells and batteries (2022)

Nexam Chemical, the NCC develop solution for manufacturing high-temperature composites

In-situ composites sensors for increased production rates, smart processes and life cycle monitoring

Mikrosam celebrates commissioning of world's largest production line for CNG and hydrogen tanks

CosiMo: Smart thermoplastic RTM process demonstrated for battery box cover challenge simulator

Hanwha Solutions acquires Cimarron Composites, aims to be global leader in high-pressure tanks by 2030

JEC World 2022, Part 2: Recycling, natural fibers and additive manufacturing

Plastic Omnium supports development of Safra Hycity hydrogen-powered buses

Cryomotive to manufacture first CRYOGAS hydrogen storage vessels using Mikrosam winder

Matrix Composites secures $14 million to support deepwater floating rig project in Asia

NPROXX expands business into the U.S.

Italian startup, Advanced Composites Solutions develop portable solar panel via recovered carbon fiber

AMRC, industrial partners develop Type IV hydrogen tank for long-haul vehicles

JEC World 2022, Part 1: Highlights in sustainable, digital, industrialized composites

NEW PRODUCTS: ENERGY STORAGE

CAMX 2022 exhibit preview: Olin Epoxy

CAMX 2022 exhibit preview: Cevotec

JEC World 2022 preview: Hexcel

Axiom prepregs target pressure vessels

EconCore thermoplastic honeycomb cores deliver high-heat performance, facilitates recyclability

Magnum Venus products launches fusion filament winder