Composites Use in Pressure Vessels
High-pressure gas storage vessels represent one of the largest and fastest-growing markets for advanced composites, particularly for filament-wound carbon fiber composites. Although they are used in self-contained breathing apparatuses and provide oxygen and gas storage on aerospace vehicles, the primary end markets are for storage of liquid propane gas (LPG), compressed natural gas (CNG), renewable natural gas (RNG) and hydrogen gas (H2).
Latest Pressure Vessels Articles
VIEW ALLECOHYDRO project to enable recyclable composites for hydrogen storage
With the involvement of two schools from the Institut Mines-Télécom, the 4-year project aims to improve the intrinsic properties of a composite material based on Elium via four concrete demonstrators.
Read MoreDaQoTa project develops measuring head prototype for LATW inspection
Fraunhofer IPT, Taniq and Pixargus have proven the success of a measuring head capable of optimizing the reliability, security and efficiency of FRP pressure vessel manufacturing.
Read MoreR&D projects, additively functionalized part demonstrate composites innovation
JEC World 2024: The DLR is presenting the EmpowerAX multi-curved shell demo part as a JEC Innovation Award winning innovation, in addition to results from other projects involving hydrogen tanks, wind and more.
WatchComposites expertise targets wind turbine nacelles
JEC World 2024: BlueWind is exhibiting at JEC World for the first time at the Brazil Pavilion, highlighting a novel nacelle technology.
Read MorePlastic Omnium starts construction of Chinese mega-plant for H2 pressure vessels
The new PO-Rein joint venture factory in Jiading, Shanghai, aims to be operational in 2026, producing up to 60,000 hydrogen vessels and high-pressure hydrogen storage systems per year for the Chinese commercial vehicle market.
WatchHexagon Purus announces contract with New Flyer, results for Q4 2023
Supply of Type IV composite hydrogen storage tanks for North American bus market extended, 2023 revenue up 37% driven by H2 infrastructure solutions, heavy-duty truck, bus and aerospace with 50% revenue increase expected again in 2024.
Read MoreKnowledge Centers
During CW Tech Days: Thermoplastics for Large Structures, experts explored the materials and processing technologies that are enabling the transition to large-part manufacturing.
LEARN MORECompositesWorld’s CW Tech Days: Infrastructure event offers a series of expert presentations on composite materials, processes and applications that should and will be considered for use in the infrastructure and construction markets.
LEARN MORELatest Pressure Vessels News And Updates
Infinite Composites awarded $470K contract to develop larger, higher pressure H2 tanks
Manufacturing Type V composite pressure vessels, Infinite Composites will match this project with a recently received $1.6 million award from the Army for conformable hydrogen tanks.
Read MoreGurit supports composites-focused wind projects, ferry development
Gurit announces an EcoVadis Gold rating, a collaboration on Hong Kong high-speed passenger ferries and work with the OptiCore Innovation Project.
Read MoreChina’s Sany Renewable rolls out 131-meter wind blade
Sany reports that it has adopted an optimized airfoil design with greater thickness and a blunt trailing edge to augment strength and stability.
Read MoreDOE announces Wind Turbine Materials Recycling Prize winners
Twenty U.S. teams from 15 states were selected for Phase 1 of funded efforts to develop, mature and commercialize recycling technologies for FRPs and rare earth elements used in wind turbines.
Read MoreVestas to establish second offshore wind blade facility in Poland
Efforts are ramping up to support the growing demand for offshore wind in Europe, with the wind blade factory starting operations in 2026, and a previously announced nacelle assembly facility in the same location in 2025.
Read MoreHexagon Purus extends agreement for hydrogen distribution systems, raises 1 billion NOK
Agreement with green hydrogen producer extended for 2024, investment will support ongoing global capacity expansions including CFRP cylinder production.
Read MoreFeatured Posts
RTM, dry braided fabric enable faster, cost-effective manufacture for hydrokinetic turbine components
Switching from prepreg to RTM led to significant time and cost savings for the manufacture of fiberglass struts and complex carbon fiber composite foils that power ORPC’s RivGen systems.
WatchComposites end markets: Energy (2024)
Composites are used widely in oil/gas, wind and other renewable energy applications. Despite market challenges, growth potential and innovation for composites continue.
WatchManufacturing tech for scalable Type V hydrogen tank fabrication, CFRP lifecycle management
Cygnet Texkimp’s Multi Roll Stack and composite recycling technology catalyze ASCEND program’s mission to optimize aerospace, automotive hydrogen storage and CFRP sustainability.
Read MoreInfinite Composites: Type V tanks for space, hydrogen, automotive and more
After a decade of proving its linerless, weight-saving composite tanks with NASA and more than 30 aerospace companies, this CryoSphere pioneer is scaling for growth in commercial space and sustainable transportation on Earth.
Read MoreCarbon Fiber 2023: See you there
CompositesWorld’s Carbon Fiber Conference, in its 26th year, will be held Nov. 28-30 in Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S. There are many good reasons to attend.
Read MoreVIDEO: Sustainable pressure vessel systems for heavy-duty vehicles
Automotive and filament winding experts at Voith Composites showcased their Type IV hydrogen storage tanks at JEC 2023. These 350-liter pressure vessels, manufactured with recycled carbon fiber, are primarily designed for heavy-duty vehicles.
WatchFAQ: Pressure Vessels
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.
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:
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- 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.
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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