Breakthrough safety technology of explosion free in fire self-venting (TPRD-less) tanks: The concept and validation of the microleaks-no-burst technology for carbon-carbon and carbon-glass double-composite wall hydrogen storage systems

The paper describes the breakthrough microleaks-no-burst (mLNB) safety technology of explosion free in fire self-venting hydrogen tanks that do not require thermally-activate pressure relief devices (TPRD). The technology implies melting of the hydrogen-tight liner before hydrogen-leaky double-composite wall loses its load-bearing ability. Hydrogen then flows through the wall's microchannels and either burns in microflames on its own or together with resin. The experimental validation of the technology is presented for 7 prototypes with the nominal working pressure of 70 MPa made of carbon-carbon or carbon-glass composites. The prototypes are fire tested at the specific heat release rate HRR/A = 1 MW/m2 characteristic for gasoline/diesel spill fires. The mLNB technology eliminates catastrophic consequences of tank rupture in fire: blast waves, fireballs, and projectiles. The technology limits hydrogen accumulation in naturally ventilated enclo-sures. It reduces the risk of hydrogen-powered vehicles to an acceptable level below that for fossil fuel automobiles, including underground parking and tunnels. It provides an unprecedented level of life safety and property protection.(c) 2023 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

Automated summary

This paper describes a breakthrough microleaks-no-burst (mLNB) safety technology that allows explosion-free venting of hydrogen tanks in fire without the need for thermally-activated pressure relief devices. The technology involves melting the hydrogen-tight liner to prevent the double-composite wall from losing its load-bearing ability. Hydrogen then flows through microchannels in the wall and either burns on its own or with resin. Experimental validation of the technology is presented for prototypes made of carbon-carbon or carbon-glass composites. The mLNB technology eliminates catastrophic consequences of tank rupture in fire and reduces the risk of hydrogen-powered vehicles to an acceptable level.