Replication of liner collapse phenomenon observed in hyperbaric type IV hydrogen storage vessel by explosive decompression experiments

• Published in: International journal of hydrogen energy Vol. 43; no. 9; pp. 4671 - 4680
• Main Authors: Pépin, Julie, Lainé, Eric, Grandidier, Jean-Claude, Benoit, Guillaume, Mellier, David, Weber, Mathilde, Langlois, Christophe
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.03.2018; Elsevier
• Subjects: Acoustics; Automatic; Biomechanics; Chemical Sciences; Composite; Electric power; Electromagnetism; Engineering Sciences; Explosive decompression; Fluid mechanics; Gas diffusion; Hydrogen; Liner collapse; Material chemistry; Materials and structures in mechanics; Mathematical Physics; Mechanics; Physics; Polyamide 6; Polymers; Quantum Physics; Reactive fluid environment; Thermics; Vibrations; Explosive decompression; Polyamide 6; Composite; Liner collapse; Hydrogen; Gas diffusion
• ISSN: 0360-3199; 1879-3487
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2018.01.022

An experimental design based on representative sample is described in order to reproduce the detachment and deformation of the inner polymer layer (called liner) of hyperbaric hydrogen storage vessels during the emptying step. It is the first step of a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in the creation of a liner collapse. Results showed that a hydraulic testing machine fitted with a pressure hydrogen chamber enables to create a liner collapse on small samples by explosive decompression experiments. Tomographic observations have revealed that the collapse appears at the polymer liner/composite interface in areas that are not sufficiently bonded, nor consistently. Determination of liner collapse amplitudes, assessed by tomography, has underlined that, under some specific conditions, the deformation of the liner is permanent even when hydrogen has completely desorbed from the sample. In addition to liner collapses, composite cracks were also highlighted. •Liner collapse in hydrogen storage vessels is reproduced on representative samples.•The liner is plastically deformed even after complete hydrogen desorption.•In addition to liner collapse, composite cracks were also highlighted.•A pressure differential is supposed to be responsible for the collapse appearance.