CAMX 2022 exhibit preview: Cevotec

As industry continues to seek efficient and safe storage of hydrogen in Type IV pressure vessels, Cevotec GmbH (Munich, Germany) highlights its industrial automated solution for pressure vessel dome reinforcement using fiber patch placement (FPP) technology, said to effectively decrease material consumption.

Cevotec says the reinforcements are placed directly on the liner by a robotic FPP system, substituting the high-angle helical layers (HAHL), traditionally applied by a filament winding process. However, unlike the HAHL, the patches don’t span across the cylindrical portion of the vessel, where they would contribute only marginally to the mechanical performance. This translates into a considerable saving of material, depending on the aspect ratio of a vessel, according to the company; Type IV pressure vessels are known for high carbon fiber material consumption due to 700-bar working pressures.

The patches are applied in an independent process, parallel to filament winding, which reportedly reduces the overall cycle time by up to 20%. Moreover, while achieving equivalent mechanical properties, the dome reinforcement solution reduces net material consumption by 16% and increases the storage efficiency by 19%. Cevotec indicates that, with material saved, companies can receive a return on investment (ROI) within a year of series production, with a payback time of 10-20 months. These figures are based on a case study of a typical composite tank; actual savings depend on the aspect ratio of the vessel — the ratio of length to diameter.

In a joint project with industry partners, Cevotec developed and is currently testing an optimized, full-scale demonstrator. The goal is to optimize the fiber layup, also by simulation, in order to minimize cycle time and cost, ensure required mechanical properties and subsequently evaluate the impact of FPP dome reinforcement in an industrial production setting. The project comprises the laminate design, simulation and optimization, as well as the production and comprehensive testing of the fiber-reinforced Type IV pressure vessels. Currently, the project is in its final stage, with last iteration loops and tests are being performed.

Cevotec (booth G54) is exhibiting a cut-out section of the full-scale pressure vessel demonstrator with FPP reinforcements developed in this joint project.